Island restaurants in Helsinki

4 07 2012

Kaivopuisto  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaivopuisto  (Kaivari) is one of the best known parks in Southern Helsinki. There are several nice cafes to stop off by the sea if one walks on the promenade. Many ambassadors of foreign countries locate also in one part of Kaivopuisto quarter.

One should try in the summer one or two of the fine dining island restaurants in front of Kaivopuisto. They are usually open only in the summer time because one has to go there with connection boats or water taxis. Summer starts on 1st of May when residents of Helsinki meet in Kaivopuisto for a picnic and island restaurants open doors for May Day lunch. Most of the restaurant buildings are worth to see as such. Remember; when crayfish season starts on 21st of July, island restaurants are fully booked.

The kitchen of restaurant HSS Boathouse offers seasonal treats with flavours from the New World.  The round two-storey dining room is in the architecturally unique building, which was built in 1949. Restaurant’s own description: Casual and relaxed. Stylish and fun. Those would most likely be the words used to describe Restaurant HSS Boathouse, if it was situated in, for instance, Martha’s Vineyards, Massachusetts.

http://www.palacekamp.fi/in_english/restaurants/boathouse/

NJK, the villa-type restaurant, located on the small island of Valkosaari, was built in 1900. The tall, spacious Middle room is surrounded by a bright covered veranda with large windows and a view towars the Market Square and Katajanokka. You can catch ferry to NJK near Olympic terminal.

http://www.ravintolanjk.fi/en

Restaurant Saari is located on the island Sirpalesaari. Saari provides Finnish delicacies of the season from land and sea as well as stunning views and genuine maritime atmosphere. You can catch connection boat to Sirpalesaari near cafe Carusel, but do not jump to water bus, it goes to Pihlajasaari. Visited Saari last summer and the experience was worth of 4+/5.

http://www.asrestaurants.com/EN/restaurants/saari/presentation.html

From Restaurant Saaristo in Klippan one can see the Empire-Helsinki skyline in the North, the ingenious walls and bastions of King Gustav style Suomenlinna in the South.  Atmospheric restaurant is over a hundred years old with crafty and romantic Jugend-style wood cuts and wood-carved animals in the beams and balconies. Previous name Klippan referred to name of the island. Connection boat serves from pier located near to Olympic terminal, next to the Peace Statue.

http://www.asrestaurants.com/EN/restaurants/saaristo/presentation.html

In the 18th century a fort was constructed on Särkkä island just off the coast of Helsinki to defend the city. Some wars later, in 1924, restaurant Särkänlinna was opened in that very fort. To this day it holds its place as one of the most unique summer restaurants in Helsinki. You can catch connection boat to restaurant near cafe Ursula.

http://www.palacekamp.fi/in_english/restaurants/restaurant_sarkanlinna/

Restaurant Uunisaari is only island restaurant open year around. In the winter time one can use bridge which will be built on the ice every year. Connection boat can be found near cafe Compass.

http://www.uunisaari.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=3&lang=fi

Hopefully you find this writing useful when choosing restaurant in the summer. Gonna dine in one of the above restaurants soon.


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Restaurant review: Gastone

1 07 2012

Note! Kitchen under construction until Christmas 2012!

Restaurant Gastone represents Italian kitchen with style. It is privately owned one of the best Italian restaurants in Helsinki. In the summer one can dine at the small terrace. Inside tables are quite close to each other and at busiest time it might be quite noisy.

Home made bread with olive oil is always served as soon one has placed the order. Wide selecion of Italian wines to choose from the wine list.

For starters ordered Carpaccio organic beef carpaccio with parmesan cheese and aioli and Capesante marinate al lime e gamberi tigre Lime marinated Scallop, Grilled Tiger Prawn and Aioli. Carpaccio was tender and but not frozen as it might sometime be. Would have changed aioli to plain olive oil. Scallops are better when they are fried, prawns were a little bit too salty.

For main courses Pasta del pescatore Fresh Linguine Pasta with Tiger Prawns, Octopussy, Garlic and Herbs and Arrosto di Salmerino con sughetto di zafferano Roasted Arctic Char, saffron Broth and Fennel. For the fish ordered one of the four available side dishes Patate novelle alla Gastone Gastone Summer Potatoes.
Pasta was delicious though it was a little bit over cooked. Fish portion included also onion which was not listed and neither waitress mentioned about it when asked. Archtic Char was also a little bit over roasted.

Ristorante Gastone has proven to be genuine Italian fine dining restaurant. Would have given 4 for food in several earlier visits.

REVIEW: FOOD 3,5/5 – SERVICE 4-/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4-/5

http://www.gastone.fi/eng/index.html

On the other side of the street locates Grill Glöd https://reijosfood.com/2012/04/01/dinner-at-grill-glod/


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Restaurant Review: Kielo

3 06 2012

Restaurant Kielo is located in Joensuu in the North Karelia. It has one of the most sophisticated kitchens in the area. Name comes from flower, lily-of-the-valley, which happens to be national flower of Finland. Kielo serves Finnish and local dishes and uses ingredients which are purchased from local producers. In the summer diners can also eat at the terrace.

A la carte list is short but offers enough alternatives for tasting delicious Finnish food. Wine list could be more versatile; wish to add Riesling as one of the crapes.

After graduation party it was time to dine.

Started dinner with Green salad (starters were a little bit difficult for allergic guest), Smoked fish mousse and potato salad (maybe more clear taste of potato would have made the starter perfect, Starters of the house – 5 small starters from North Karelian flavours (reindeer, chicken rillette, smoked salmon mousse, beef rillette and pate) and Asparagus with sauce Maltese. All starters were good, but especially Starters of the house were masterpieces. Tender reindeer and pate were best part of it.

For main courses ordered Pan fried perch with false morrel sauce, Fillet of deer with beef rillette (Roe) and Vegetables of the house. Fresh fish was this time Pike Perch as Perch has finished. Fish was fried with experience. Ordered one portion without morel sauce which actually is well suited for Finnish fishes. Roe was so soft that one could have been able to eat it with spoon. Beef rillette was also tasty but maybe a little bit too much salty.

For dessert had Finnish cheeses (Aura Gold blue cheese, 4 and 6 months ripened Finnish cheeses), Sorbet of the house with berries and Cow´s first milk pudding with rhubarb and ginger flavoured ice-cream. Would have prefered one older and stronger cheese, but port wine smoothed over flavors; as always. Sorbet and ice-cream are always delicious as they were also this time.

Kielo is genuine Finnish restaurant serving well prepared Finnish food. In warm summer day one should always choose to dine at the terrace.

REVIEW: FOOD 4-/5 – SERVICE 4-/5 – OVERALL GRADE 3,5/5

Etusivu


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Restaurant review: Casa Mare

27 05 2012


Restaurant Casa Mare is most popular all year round bistro in the suburb. Especially families with small children come to eat pizza with salad buffet which includes to all main courses. Sometimes place is close to kindergarten; actually there is also playgroud for children.

Restaurant is owned by Ravintolakolmio which owns also Tony’s deli where we dined few months ago. Review available.

For starters ordered Halloum cheese and tomato (grilled halloum, tomatoes, olives and rucola) and Salad buffet. Cheese with add on’s was tasty and not too salty. Salad buffet is simple; few basic salads and home made bread.

For main course ate Chorizo-Mozzarella pasta (spicy red pepper-tomato sauce, chorizo sausage, mozzarella de buffala, rucola and penne pasta) and Catch of the day (this time White fish with vegetables and potato mash). Pasta was great, too easy to over cook pennes, but now they were perfect. Sauce was enough spicy and mozzarella softened it suitably. But then started problems.

Catch of th day was ordered without potato mash, but it came with it. Kitchen decided to move pieces of fish to another plate and due to long waiting time, fish skin was already a little bit “soft” (see picture). For dessert ordered Crepes with strawberries; regarding to waiter there should have not been cream on it,  but there was. Had to ask to replace portion. On top of this, espresso had to be sent back because it was cold. Restaurant noticed these mistakes and we did not have to pay for dessert and coffees; well done!

Casa Mare has every summer special offer, two pizzas for price of one. Gonna utilize that in July as many other people will too.

REVIEW: FOOD 3-/5 – SERVICE 3/5 – OVERALL GRADE 3-/5

http://www.ravintolacasamare.com/page.php?language=1


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Restaurant review: Salutorget

20 04 2012

Restaurant Salutorget, Scandinavian bistro, includes an unassuming dining room, bar and classic cafe with waitress services and terrace. Restaurant serves lunch and dinner but also brunch on Sundays and English style Afternoon Tea.

Salutorget is located by Kauppatori (Salutorget in Swedish and  Market Place in English) which is most known market or plaza in Helsinki. One can see that there has been financial institutions operating in the  same location earlier  as rest rooms are in old bank vault. Place has been renovated with craftmanship; 1800’s construction and pillars create a dignified athmosphere. Salutorget is part of Royal Ravintolat chain which has several fine dining restaurants in Helsinki. On Friday it was quite busy inlcuding bar.

Menu consists of traditional Finnish and Scandinavian dishes, such as Toast Skagen, Baltic herrings, raindeer and pike perch.  One can also choose lobster for starter or main course. Wine list is quite short; interesting to see that all wines are from European countries, mainly France, Italy and Spain.

Had to choose  Fried scallops with ceps, pine kernels and salsify puré with garlic for starter; being big fan of scallops. WOW, one of the best scallop starter ever tasted. Second choice was Broiled whitefish tartar with Jerusalem artichoke cream, good but cucumber might have been more flavoured.

For main courses ordered Tender braised reindeer shank with oven baked beetroot, bacon and almond potato puré.  Bacon was more like smalll pieces of  pork ribs and absolutely portion was best part of the kitchen. Reindeer smelted in the mouth and was tender. We also ordered  Roasted pike perch with champagne and pea risotto, fennel sauce but asked vegetables instead of risotto. Fish was absolutely prepared with professional way but vegetables were lightly boring. Suggest to keep with risotto.

Dessert was a ittle bit disappointment. We were prepared for chocolate cake  Chocolate cake with mango sorbet and one was ordered with ice cream. Unfortunately chocolate cake was more or less mousse. If it would have been real chocolate cake you could add + on Food Review.

Dining room and bar were almost all the time full of diners and people having drinks; both places worth of visiting.

REVIEW: FOOD 4/5 – SERVICE 4+/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5

http://www.salutorget.fi/en

more fotos: http://www.salutorget.fi/en/gallery


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Restaurant review: Food and Bar Kiila

8 04 2012

Food and Bar Kiila was opened on 2nd March 2012. Restaurant is open from morning until night offering breakfast, brunch on Sundays and public holidays, lunch, dinner and bar services. Kiila is owned by Noora Himberg and menu is created by Henrik Poulsen and it is situated in one of the best locations just opposite of  Stockmann and Vanha University House. Diners can watch how cook’s prepare meals in open kitchen. Before Kiila restaurant Kolme Seppää was operating at the same premises, so do not try to find it anymore. Large terrace was already in place in although it was still quite cold outside. On top of the terrace restaurant had an ad; breakfast only 3,90€. Brunch on Sundays is 19,90€.

One could choose from a la carte or fast food lists also in the restaurant tables. Fast food list is available in the bar.

When ordering waitress first told that 3 dishes from a la carte list were not available. She was unsure what side dishes portions included and checked it from the kitchen. Obviously restaurant has opened without trained waiters as so many things were so and so. On top of everything our green tea order was forgotten. Restaurant is too expensive compared to level it is at the moment; so suggest to wait at least a month to check how everything has been developed. Location and open space are best part of the restaurant; expect to see significant improvement in waitering. Food itself is promises of a better future. Also view from the window side tables is great; so remember to ask for table with a view.

For starters ordered Tiger prawn skewer with avocado and marinated cucumber (skewer shoud have been warm to make experience perfect) and Ginger marinated duck breast with sweet pea, nut salad (ordinary peanuts should have been replaced e.g. with pine seeds, duck meat was tender).

For main course had Roasted whitefish with chili sesame butter (portion also included barley; butter pat was too big as it made dish quite greasy) and Black Angus sirloin beef with pepper button (best part of the dish was sweet potato sticks which we have not seen anywhere else, worth to try again).

For dessert ordered combination which was not on the a la carte list. Good effort from the kitchen, but without green tea.

REVIEW: FOOD 3+/5 – SERVICE 2/5 – OVERALL GRADE 3-/5

web site still under construction (8.4.2012) http://www.ravintolakiila.fi/


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Restaurant review: BBQ House

10 03 2012

Restaurant BBQ House is situated by Greek restaurant Minos at Kamppi shopping center. They even share toilets. Restaurant also has heated outdoor terrace which expands in the summer for large bar and terrace area. BBQ House states it provides latino kitchen and it is specialised in steaks, no suprise by the name. When we visited restaurant there was Aussi weeks with special menu,not so close to latino? Interesting is that BBQ House has lava rock grill, quite unique in Helsinki and Finland. Also you can watch how chefs manage to do they work in open kitchen.

If you are co-op member you can get discount for some portions and collect points.

Also interesting detail is that dishes on the menu are also in portuguese but of course also in English and Russia. Latino flavour?

Tried to make table reservation same day but was told it is not possible anymore. Restaurant was full when we arrived and we were offered call back if we liked to dine. After 1/2 hour waiting time in a near by bar we got polite call; our table was ready. Great service!

For “Entrades – Appetizers” we chose Tapas which were not like Spanish Tapas. From different alternatives we decided to taste Springbok antelope, glazed with passion fruit and Caramelized pork flank. Antelope is not so common; as a matter in fact can not remember any other restaurant offering it. In portion there were quite small pieces of antelope and the shape was like cold meats. Pork also was like cold meat; not exactly what you would expect, but anyway very tasty. Most of the portion consisted of potato salad; small suprise as it was not mentioned in menu. Another choices for us were Giant shrimps and Bloody Mary soup and Artichoke with veggies. Interesting name for the soup and both were good.

“Prato principal à sua escolha da nossa grelha de pedra vulcânica – Main course of your choice from our lava rock grill” Sounded good, so we ordered Beef tenderloin and Breast of corn-fed chicken. You could then choose “Com um molho à sua escolha – With a sauce of your choice” from six different sauces and “Acompanhamentos – With a side dish of” 4 different choises. Decided to dine low carb food and chose Caesar salad  and Country-style salad, no potato fries this time. Beef tenderloin was ordered as medium, but  it was medium minus  minus… However Rum and pepper sauce was one of the best ever tasted and perfect match for meat. Also salad under Caesar sauce was crisp but Country salad was maybe too simple although it included quinea; quite rare in Finnish kitchen.

With few amendments in starters ingredients we would have given 4 as a grade for food.

REVIEW: Food 3,5/5 – Service 4/5 – Overall grade 3,5/5

http://www.kattaakaupungin.fi/ravintolat_en0.html

http://www.bbqhouse.fi/

Visited again restaurant in July; fewer appetizers in the list but otherwise as good experience.


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Restaurant review: Minos

24 02 2012

Restaurant Minos is 25 years old restaurant which serves traditional Greek food. For example you can get Tzatziki, Pita bread, Souvlaki, Moussaka and of course Ouzo for aperitive. Minos has pleasant covered terrace which can be used also in winter time as it is heated. We chose to dine at covered terrace and it was warm and pleasant place to dine; outside temperature was 0C degrees. In the summer Minos has own spot in popular Kamppi terrace area. Note that restaurant is not open on Sundays.

In Helsinki there are only few Greek restaurants as interest for asian food has increased a lot. Minos is one of the two genuine Greek restaurants focusing only on traditonal dishes; not mixing kitchens from other Mediterranean sea countries. Wine list is also based on Greek wines which provides fresh alternative for otherwise quite similar wine lists in many restaurants. But the prices for Greek wines….not the same as in Greece.

If you want to speak Greek language you can practice it in this restaurant as you could hear it all the time during dinner.

Recommend to book table by phone because we did not receive reply for email in 60 hours and decided to check the status by calling.  No comment about the email…Restaurant was full when we arrived at 6.30PM, so do not expect to get table without reservation.

For aperitives decided to taste Ouzo Plomari  and Campari. Ouzo is always fascinating….

For starters we ordered Octopus marinated in herb vinaigrette 7,90€ and Dolmades, vine leaves stuffed with rise and herbs 5,60€. Octopus was tasty and not too chewy. Dolmades were warm and at least did not seemed to be canned.

For main courses we had Catch of the day, grilled fresh fish which was Dorada with salad and Gyros, grilled pork with pita bread and tzatziki. Waitress offered to open the fish which is rare in Finland if fish is served as a whole. Must say that it is rare to get whole fish in generally in restaurants and if you are able to order it you have to fight by yourself to get rid of fishbones. Pork in gyros was fatless which is extraordinary compared to original Greek gyros taverns. So, you can happily order this portion although you would need to watch calories.

Minos is genuine Greek restaurant, would say most honest restaurant compared to many other country specific restaurants.

http://www.minos.fi (you can find english menu via link)

REVIEW: Food 4/5 – Service 4/5 – Overall grade 4/5


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Restaurant review: Blue Peter

27 01 2012

Blue Peter, established in 1976, is situated on the island of Lauttasaari in Helsinki, in the Helsingfors Segelklubb HSK yacht club area. The complete renovation of the restaurant was finished by the beginning of 2007.  Today, Blue Peter is more spacious than before, and it feels as if the sea has come closer to the premises. Vertti Kivi has designed the decor which makes Blue Peter one ot the most modern restaurants in Finland.
You’ll find the popular terraces of Blue Peter a wonderful place to enjoy the sun and the sea atmosphere, only a short hop from the city centre. Sun shines almost the whole day to terrace as it is in three sides of the building. You can get with bus number 21v close to restaurant; only 400 meters to walk down by the sea.

Regular visitors in the summer but now had dinner in the winter as Blue Peter is also open around the year.

For starters we had Garlic snails 9.5 € and Toast Skagen 10.5 € in the pictures above. Both were excellent; enough garlic with snails and on top of toast skagen whitefish roe which made the portion more or less gourmet. For main course we had Warm goat cheese salad 18 € and Fried perch with leek-butter sauce 24 € (in the picture). Salad was generous with two slices of grilled goat cheese. Fried perch was ok, but there was too much leek-butter sauce. For dessert we had our all time favourite Crepe, old time vanilla ice cream and jam in the picture.  If you have not ever tasted crepes taste it in Blue Peter. Wine list is enough wide for the food alternatives.

Blue Peter is quite quiet in the winter if there are no private parties like weddings, but in the summer it is one of the most sophisticated restaurants with luxorious terrace.

REVIEW: Food 4/5 – Service 4/5 – Overall grade 4/5

http://www.bluepeter.fi/articles/891/


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Restaurant review: Bon Vivant – at Cruise Ship

13 01 2012

Bon Vivant is a fine dining restaurant at Tallink Silja cruise ships Symphony and Serenade on route between Helsinki and Stockholm.

Restaurant is quiet compared to buffet restautants which gives opportunity speak and hear. You could also dine “outside” at the terrace which you can see in front of the restaurant (picture below)

Menu changes occasionally and wine list is wide due to special wine bar and shop. Dinner included appetizers, main course and cheese plates.

You also get greetings from the kitchen to start with.

At Christmas cruise we had reindeer with potato crocket  and fish in stock and vegetables. Reindeer was tender and rose as you can see in the picture. Fish portion was little bit difficult to eat because vegatables were too raw and soup around them splashed easily (no spoon available).

If you take cheese as dessert you can choose them from trolley; 5 different choices. Blue cheese and white-veined cheese always as favourites.

Waitress also wrote down all choices for us as we tasted all of them.

Ship itself especially cabins need renovation. Those cruising between Helsinki and Tallinn are newer and therefore in good condition.

REVIEW: Food 3,5/5 – Service 4/5 – Overall grade 4/5

http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/shipsAndTerminals/symphony/restaurants/eating.htm

 


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Restaurant review: Food and Lounge Restaurant Namu

8 01 2012

UPDATE ON 1ST OF NOV: NAMU PROVIDES NOWADAYS CALIFORNIAN KITCHEN

Visited Food and Lounge Restaurant Namu a month after opening. Early dinner, half of the tables occupied. Decoration quite unusual for restaurants having asian menu but maybe main idea is to provide opportunity eat while spending time at lounge type of night club. Huge place from which restaurant was about 1/5. Typical customer was around 25-30 years old. It is interesting to see if huge terrace which open ups to railway station will be busy in the summer.

Menu was short consisting on Japanese, Korean and Chinese flavours. Interesting to see Kimchi was served in different modifications. Wine list was maybe too complicated for asian food.

Had Sashimi and Tsukemono  for appetizers which were really OK. Best part were main courses Kakuni to kimchi and Som tam nieriä ie trout; delicious and perfectly prepared! Kimchi with pork included kimchi which was like coleslaw salad but tasty. Pork was tender and also tasty. You have to choose side dishes for main course from 3 options. But unfortunately warm dishes came right after appetizers which is quite common way to serve asian food but as appetizers were quite big portions, had to eat warm dishes first.

Price for appetizers, main courses and bottle of rose Cava was 108€.

En

REVIEW: Food 4+/5, Service 3/5, Overall rating 3,5/5


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