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RESTAURANT REVIEWS 3

RESTAURANT KUURNA
A spot that everyone seemed to be talking about when it was new.

Kuurna is very different from other restaurants in Helsinki. Its small size (22 seats) and a bit grungy look, paired with skill and passion for their product, the food, make Kuurna's two young, enthusiastic chefs the owners of the most popular new restaurant in Helsinki.

The house (er .. little cottage) is full, night after night. There is an open (anything but fancy) kitchen, a "rough" vaulted ceiling, and not a lot of space. The chefs double as servers, although they do have one waiter. The going is sometimes a bit clumsy, but homey, intentionally eschewing any pretentiousness.

The plates are simple, but skillfully prepared, from fresh, high quality ingredients, some greens from their own garden, with some of the fish promptly delivered by fishermen from the day's catch.

The small menu changes weekly, and offers just one choice of either a vegetable, fish or meat starter and entree. A three course dinner costs 32 Euros and a 2 course dinner 27 Euros. A really good deal. And it gets even better when you consider this:

The wine list is one of the few reasonably priced wine-lists in Helsinki. What makes this truly commendable is that the wines on the list are not "cheap" wines, and the variety is very well thought out.

The Emilio Moro Ribera is very attractively priced (it definitely needs to breathe a while), as is the Billecart-Salmon Champagne. The broad range of producers and regions virtually assures a satisfying match.

Those willing to spend to satisfy their demanding or refined wine tastes can also obtain satisfaction with the Gevery-Chambertin offering, or, on the white side, the Condrieu. The wine list displays a hip side, with an offering from Alvaro Palacios in Priorat, makers of the muscular "L'Ermita" which can bring hundreds of Euros per bottle, food friendly Shiraz from the Barossa valley and of course the never miss Allegrini Amarone.

Both chefs have worked in London, and brought to Helsinki not just what they learned as chefs, but something that we have missed there for years: different seatings.

Numerous times we have witnessed patrons without reservations trying to get a table at a half full Helsinki restaurant (where we were already dining), only to be turned away because the "restaurant is fully booked". No amount of pleading has helped. Then, during the course of the evening, we have witnessed the empty tables stay empty for hours -or for the remainder of the evening.

We have seen this happen in all levels of Helsinki restaurants, including some of our favorites, and have been puzzled over the poor business sense of turning (groups of) patrons away, only because a restaurant has a reservation for table a few hours later -or not.

So, kudos to Kuurna for the seating policy, even though it comes with a Finnish twist: strict enforcement of non-lingering.

Kuurna is located in beautiful Kruunuhaka, "just behind" the Presidential Palace.

The sign outside the restaurant states plainly ”Ravintola” ( the Finnish word for Restaurant), but this is the place.

Address: Meritullinkatu 6, 00170 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 670 849, info@kuurna.fi

These talented people also own the popular restaurant Ateljè Finne

RESTAURANT OLO
is an exciting restaurant, owned by two  seasoned restaurant professionals: Pekka Terävä (chef de cuisine) & Petri Lukkarinen (restaurant manager), are both well respected in Finnish restaurant/foodie circles.

Chef Terävä has an impressive resume, including: Havis Amanda, Alexander Nevski, Palacen Ranta, G.W. Sundmans, Klippan & Linna. Seems like he has worked in most of our favorite places in Helsinki.

Restaurant Olo offers cuisine that is based on modern Nordic cooking; clean lines & fresh, seasonal ingredients. The emphasis is on high quality, delicious but non fussy dining, in a relaxed atmosphere.

There is also a bar, a wine room, and a seasonal patio.

The restaurant is open for dinner and lunch.

Address: Kasarmikatu 44, 00130 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 665 565

"Olo" = "being" or "feeling" in Finnish, depending on the context. Philosophically speaking it conveys the idea of a state of existential being.

Quite delicious filled tomato appetizer at Postres, Helsinki.
Click for larger image.

POSTRES
serves very good food, combined with good, no-nonsense service. That makes this dessert loving restaurant a good choice both for dinner or lunch. The prices are, especially compared with the quality, very reasonable.

Again, a place where locals like dining on their own dime.

Postres strives to offer well thought out dinner & lunch menus that are topped with one or more desserts.

The lunch consists of a 3 course menu that offers 2 choices of each course. It is served Tu-Fri, for 22€.

(one Michelin star - 2010)

Good location:
Address: Eteläesplanadi 8, 00130 Helsinki
Phone: Phone: (358)- (0)9 - 663300
Email: info at postres.fi

Delicious fish at Restaurant Postres, Helsinki.
Click to see larger image.

YUME
is a modern Japanese restaurant close to the Esplanade Park. Its theme is the four seasons, and the pampering of all the senses: the beautiful design, the best ingredients and a seasonally changing look of the interior.

The space is divided into four rooms: the Water Bar as the “living room”, the Garden Room, the private Wooden House above, and lastly, the Veranda.

Address: Särkänsaari, 00130 HELSINKI
Phone: (358)- (0)9 1345 6756
second link

Summer patio on North Esplanade. Sasso & Fishmarket

now reside here. Click image for larger view.

KABUKI
Lately, our "local agents" have not been very happy with this restaurant. They feel that if you have access to top quality sushi where you live, you might be disappointed here. Still: Kabuki is very popular among locals who dine on their own dime. The smallish space is often full. Reservations are highly recommended.
The room is "different"; not a stiff temple of imported Japanese décor, nor one of these white-beige nouveau-modernist dime-a-dozen restaurant spaces of today... Its a fun, funky room donning lots of ice hockey memorabilia and some rock memorabilia.
The owner is a big hockey fan and has received the hockey stuff directly from the players, and the "rock stuff" from Finland’s best-known rock band, Himi.

Address: Lapinlahdenkatu 12, 00180 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9- 694 9446 

RESTAURANT HAVIS
Fresh fish in a beautiful, traditional atmosphere. Havis specializes in fish an shellfish but offers also meat and vegetarian dishes. Havis seats 54 people in its two vaulted, muraled rooms.

Our friends (sophisticated diners, who have eaten in both casual and in some of the best and finest restaurants all over the world) had quite a disastrous experience on their return visit to Havis. The service was rude and indifferent, from the first (missing) "hello". In addition, the service was quite amateurish, with seemingly zero knowledge about wine.

The food was either salted to such extremes that it was virtually inedible, or, in case of a salmon entree, so over cooked that it was totally dry. The other entree,which was cooked to correct doneness, was also way too salty.

The wine that had been ordered, never arrived. After first having a hard time getting the wine order right, the waiter came back, a looong time after the appetizers had been served, announcing that the restaurant had run out of the (expensive) wine (which was on the menu).

When the diners complained about the devastating saltiness, the response was (vis-a-vis the appetizers): "Yes, we know. Obviously the chef poured a bit too much salt into the pot." When the diners complained that the entrees were also way too salty, the waiter ignored them.

We hope this was just one bad night, but the truth is that it should not have happened. Kitchens have mishaps every now and then, but there is never an excuse for the service to be this bad/indifferent.

Address: Eteläranta 16, 00130 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9- 6869 5660

Helsinki South Harbor. Click for larger view:
This is he view from the now closed Palace Hotel Terrace Bar.

RESTAURANT ELITE 
Elite has longstanding traditions as an artist hangout and since 1932 artists and other cultural types -and yes, also non-artists have filled its rooms. Those rooms used to be so thick with tobacco smoke that we steered clear of the place.

But now that Finnish restaurants are smoke free, even non- smokers - and people who value using all their senses while eating and enjoying wine - can happily enter this historic establishment.

Elite has also been known for good food and friendly service. Our local agent visited Elite in 2010: link to the review.


Address: Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 22, Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 61285200

LA PLACE

serves delicious lunches for reasonable prices. Local foodies talk warmly about this place.

The lunch menu changes daily offering single dishes or a 2 & 3 course menu that includes a salad, main course & dessert. On top of that, an espresso is included.

The 2 course lunch is 3 Euros less than the 3 course lunch. A bargain any way you look at it.

Address: Unioninkatu 18, 00130 Helsinki
Phone:(358) (0)40 820 4289
Email: chef at laplace.fi

BRASSERIE KÄMP
"The colorful international atmosphere at the Kämp offers a wonderful way of breaking away from everyday routines. Drop by the Kämp bar any time: for a café or lunch at Helsinki center, a glass of champagne, or whenever you want to treat yourself with an exquisite meal."

Beautiful rooms, great location, but the reviews have been mixed since Kämp re-opened.

Photos of Brasserie Kämp.

Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100
Phone: (358)- (0)9- 5840 9530

Restaurant Kämp Signé
located on the second floor of Hotel Kämp, with a view the Esplanade Park.

Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 5840 9550
E-mail: kamp_signe at palacekamp.fi

RESTAURANT KYNSILAUKKA
Fun, reasonably priced, casual restaurant for evereyone who likes -surprise, surprise- garlic.

The food is reasonably priced, but the patrons' opinions are mixed at best. Last time we dined here, it was pretty tasty.

Cozy, warm rooms (in need of someTLC), with huge, vaulted windows facing the street

Second Link with photos of restaurant.

Address: Fredrikinkatu 22, 00120 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 651 939
Cell: (358)- (0)50 -591 4579
Email: jan.berg at kolumbus.fi

RESTAURANT  JUURI
a.k.a. Keittiö & Baari Juuri (= Kitchen & Bar Root ) Traditional Finnish food in a "fresh, new way". Specialty: "Sapas", i.e. Finnish Tapas.

Address: Korkeavuorenkatu 27, 00130 Helsinki Phone: (358)- (0)9 635 732.
Email: varaukset at juuri.fi 

A review of Restaurant Juuri in the NY Times.

Seafood starter plate at Seurasaari Restaurant. Click photo.

Restaurant Tori
Nice, casual place, located by a small square in Punavuori. During the warm months it is quite pleasant to sit outside, on their patio.

Address:Telakkakatu 2, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 - 687 43 790
Second link

RESTAURANT SATKAR
Nepalese cuisine. 
Address:Fredrikinkatu 46, 00100 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 - 611 077
second link

RESTAURANT KAISA The only Curdish restaurant in Helsinki. Traditional food with mezes and fresh salads.

Address: Vilhonkatu 6 / Mikonkatu 17, 00100 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 - 676717
Email: info at mesopotamia.fi
second link

MURU DINING
Address:Fredrikinkatu 41, 00120 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 4289 1213
Email: varaukset at murudining.fi

KOKOMO TIKIBAR & ROOM
"Kokomo Tikibar & Room is a restaurant, cocktailbar and a club. Exotic food, diverse coctails and the interior authentic TIKI style and the music just right for the atmosphere. Kokomo is a place ot have fun at and to enjoy life".

Address: Uudenmaankatu 16-20, 00120 Helsinki
Phone: -(358)- 44- 7398 125
Email: Email: varaukset at kokomo.fi
second link | events

Chaîne des Rôtisseurs:
WINNER OF THE 2009 'Concours International des Jeunes Commis Rôtisseurs' competition: LASSE KOISTINEN from FINLAND.

CHAIN DES ROTISSEURS: FINLAND
Chaîn des Rôtisseurs, advice on table etiquette
;-D ... oh, well ...

SUMMER RESTAURANTS (on islands around Helsinki):

RESTAURANT SAARISTO on LUOTO/KLIPPAN island, in the South Harbor. An absolutely wonderful setting for a summer restaurant, on a tiny island in the South Harbor. A must.

CLICK ON PHOTO for place names

and a much larger view of Klippan island & surroundings.
second link / location on map / image gallery
Address: Luoto, 00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5505
Email: sales at asrestaurants.com

NJK on VALKOSAARI in the South Harbor.
Address: Valkosaari, 00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 6128 6500
second link

BOATHOUSE
Address: Liuskasaari, FI-00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 6227 1070
second link
third link

SÄRKÄNLINNA
Address: Särkänsaari, 00130 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 1345 6756
-our review on restaurant page 2

Click photofor place names & larger view:

Taxi boat arriving at Särkkä Island pier.

CAFE CHAPMAN -on Suomenlinna Fortress Island - our review on restaurant page 2

WALHALLA -on Suomenlinna Fortress Island
Address: Suomenlinna A10, 00190 Helsinki
Phone / Fax: (358)- (0)9 - 668 552
Email: walhalla at kolumbus.fi second link

UUNISAARI -sorry, in Finnish only.
Address: Uunisaari, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 636 870
second link (in English)

RESTAURANT SAARI -on Sirpalesaari Island
Address: Sirpalesaari, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5566

RESTAURANT PIHLAJASAARI -on Pihlajasaari Island. Island & restaurant images
Address: Pihlajasaari, FI-00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)45-129 2000
(358)- (0)40-546 5350

SAARI = ISLAND in Finnish.

RESTAURANT SAVOTTA
serves traditional Finnish food - the olden days kind.

"Savotta's kitchen cherishes the Finnish food tradition. The tasty and heartly dishes with a home-made touch echo the best traditional recipes perfected in the course of generations. The Menu includes Finnish lake fish, game and berries from the pristine forests and from carefully selected suppliers."

Address: Aleksanterinkatu 22, 00170 Helsinki (By the Senate Square)
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5588
Savotta's image gallery

RESTAURANT SAAGA
"Genuine tastes and feelings of Lapland." Lappish cuisine - both traditional and modern, Lappish decor & plates & atmosphere.

Address: Bulevardi 34, 00120 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5544
Saaga's image gallery

Corner of Annankatu & Bulevardi. Winter.

Remember, in Finland the dates
are marked: day /mo / year.

SUOMENLINNA (SVEABORG) FORTRESS ISLAND - an Unesco Heritage site, for good reason.

RESTAURANTS & CAFES ON SUOMENLINNA (SVEABORG) ISLAND, which is a wonderful picnic and/or excursion destination. Take advantage of the info, destinations of this list. If you go sightseeing anywhere outside the center in Helsinki, Suomenlinna should be it.

CAFE CHAPMAN
on the historic Suomenlinna Fortress Island serves surprisingly good fare both indoors and in their back yard garden. We absolutely love this unpretenitous cafe/restaurant and make sure to have lunch in their garden every time we visit the Suomenlinna Islands

For casual beer restaurants and bars, see our CLUB & BAR PAGES.

A few good links:

50 BEST RESTAURANTS IN FINLAND
unfortunately in Finnish. But scroll down the pages, and click you will see the names of the restaurants and the cities they are located in.

EAT& JOY - RESTAURANT LIST

HELSINKI restaurant guide has an extensive list of Helsinki restaurants, bars & cafes. In Finnish. But scroll trough the restaurant names & contact info, and/or click on the name of your choice of restaurant to get to their website.

RESTAURANT LIST by City of Helsinki. Readers vote on their favorites. In Finnish only. But the stars speak for themselves in all languages.

Cafe Aalto, in the Akateeminen Bookstore.
Delicious espressos, salads, sandwiches and pastries.

Cafe Ekberg, an old classic on Bulevardi. Always popular.
Address: Bulevardi 9, 00120 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 6811 8660,
Email: ekberg@cafeekberg.fi
second link

Cafe Fazer at Kluuvikatu 3 has delicious cakes, pastries & sandwiches. second link

Café Esplanad on Pohjoisesplanadi is known for it's huge & delicious cinnamon rolls.

Cafe Ursula on the beautiful Kaivopuisto shore, with magnificent sea & island views.

Cafe/Restaurant CARUSEL
Address: Merisatamanranta 10, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9- 622 4522
Email: carusel@carusel.fi

Cafe Espa2 on South Esplanade, across the street from the Havis Amanda statue & fountain.
Address: Eteläesplanadi 2, Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 678 224
Email: info@espa2.fi

Café Senaatti In the Kiseleff building, Senate Square.
Address: Aleksanterinkatu 28, 00170 HELSINKI
Phone: (358)- (0)9 602 462   second link

List of Cafes in Helsinki

... CAFETERIAS IN HELSINKI, continued:

Tamminiementien Kahvila
Address: Tamminiementie 8, 00250 Helsinki (close to the entrance to Seurasaari Open-Air Museum)
Phone: 0500- 603- 378

Villa Angelica
Address: Tamminiementie 3, 00250 Helsinki
Phone: 0500- 603 -378

Café Antin Kaffeliiteri
(Café Antti's Coffee Shed), on Seurasaari Island. Address: Seurasaari, 00250 Helsinki For more information, see:
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

RESTAURANT SAARISTO on LUOTO/KLIPPAN island. An absolutely wonderful setting for a summer restaurant, on a tiny island in the South Harbor. A must. CLICK ON PHOTO for place names

and a much larger view of Klippan island & surroundings.
second link / location on map / image gallery
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5505
Email: sales@asrestaurants.com