Our
revisit to this old, and very expensive,
establishment years
overdue, but a happy
one.
Savoy
has been known as a quality eatery
since
it opened
in 1937. Many top Finnish chefs
have
worked their magic in its
kitchen over the years.
The
decor was designed by, among others, Alvar
Aalto, the famous
Finnish architect. (See "history"
on the Savoy home page.)
While
I appreciate the genuine historic interior, for
me the charm of Savoy
is sitting on the summer
terrace, overlooking the Esplanade Park,
over its
treetops and toward the beautiful, newly restored
buildings
along the Northern Esplanade and the
beautiful glistening white Dome
a little further away.
The
service was professional and friendly and much
less self important
than it had been years ago when
we dined there last. The food
is world class.
The
nice house champagne, Gosset, set the mood.
The
amuse bouche just melted in our mouths.
Our
appetizer, a
langoustine ravioli with lobster and
vegetable
ragoût
absolutely
delicious. Our friend also
enjoyed hers, a
beef carpaccio.
For
our main courses my husband and our friend had
grilled sea trout,
sauté of new potatoes and
chanterelles, smoked roe and sauce Rémoulade
.
They
loved it.
The restaurant was very accommodating
about
substituting some ingredients. They were more
than
happy to let me have the before mentioned main
course with fried
fillets of Finnish perch (which
I love
in the summer - and cannot get in
New York, sigh!)
instead
of the grilled sea trout. Delicious.
The
Tahiti vanilla soufflé, marbled cherry ice-cream
and compote
of cherries
flavored with hops, was
good but
not exciting. With the
food we shared a
bottle of Volnay,
1989, Camille Giroud.
We award
his Restaurant
Eteläesplanadi
14, 00130 Helsinki
Phone: (358)
9 - 6128 5300 second link
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| MY BEST HELSINKI RESTAURANT REVIEWS |
| Wherever
we
go, we eat
out all the time. We love good, creative and well prepared food and good wine, in both formal and casual restaurants. We particularly enjoy dining with groups of friends and family. These are some of the restaurants that we and our friends have visited and liked in Helsinki. |
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ON
THIS PAGE (click
on
restaurant names):
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| strindberg, tony's deli & via. | ||
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ON
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MORE
MY BEST
HELSINKI: HOME
RESTAURANTS 1 RESTAURANTS 2 RESTAURANTS 3 PHOTOS 1 PHOTOS 2 PHOTOS 3 PHOTOS 4 HELSINKI ARCHITECTURE
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Many
top
restaurants in Helsinki are closed during the whole month of July, some
for even longer.
If you are planning a "foodie vacation" in Helsinki during the summer, July is probably not the best time to do it. July, which usually is the warmest summer month, is "vacation month" in Finland. Most Finns start their vacation around the 21st-24th of June, when "Midsummer Eve", a huge holiday in Finland, is celebrated. Check in advance. |
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GEORGE HAS CLOSED.
A new restaurant is
being created, so we hear. Restaurant George was established in 1985. Here, just like at Restaurant Savoy, many a famous and skilled chef worked over the years, for example Markus Maulavirta and Markus Aremo (owner of Restaurant Carma). George also received accolades from the Michelin guide. 
Family dining at George. Click on photo to enlarge.
We were fans of George. We
loved their food and their friendly
service. The service was impeccable, and at times, perhaps the best service (most considerate and personal but at the same time professional) we had in Helsinki at any restaurant. |
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RESTAURANT
DEMO
is
an ambitious, small place
and so popular that
it is hard to get in. We have been told that the food is very good, fresh and, for the quality and level of cooking, very reasonably priced. Reservations highly recommended weeks in advance. The menu changes daily. We hear Demo offers the best "bang for the buck" in quality food Helsinki right now. Demo has one Michelin star, again in 2010. Chef Owners: Tommi Tuominen & Teemu Aura, who opened the more casual restaurant Grotesk in Nov. 2007. Phone: (09) 2289 0840 Address: Uudenmaankatu 9-11, 00120 Helsinki Email: demo at restaurantdemo.fi |
RESTAURANT LUOMO This less than a year old 30 seat restaurant is starting with a gloriously sounding bang: it recieved one star in the 2010 Michelin Guide. The locals already knew the restaurant is good; it is pretty much packed night after night. Luomo uses ingredients both from "local, small producers and from high end global producers" and describes the cooking as "innovative, modern; based on classic gastronomy. Beaautiful, small, fresh and creative dishes, see for yourself : Chef owners: Jouni Toivanen & Address: Vironkatu 8, Kruununhaka, Helsinki Phone: (09) 135 7287 Email: info@luomo.fi |
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LA
PETITE MAISON
is
a small restaurant serving French Cuisine.
This restaurant is very popular and seems to always be packed, and therefore we have not been able to score a reservation during our stays in Helsinki. (Next time we will book in advance of the trip). But we have heard people sing this restaurant's praises. One gentleman even took the time to e-mail us, to warmly recommend the place and suggested that we put the restaurant on our site. Thank you for the feedback. Address: Huvilakatu 28, 00150 Helsinki Phone: (010) 270-1704 |
RESTAURANT
FARANG
Southeast-Asian inspired modern cuisine. Farang is the brainchild of two Chez Dominique alumni, Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, have worked abroad for years, Björck in London & Sydney (Longrain), and Wikberg in Thailand and Australia. The pastry Chef Susanna Vuori has worked in Paris and in London. Farang opened its doors to a very happy public in August 2009 and immediately became one of the favorite restaurants in Helsinki to many a food loving Helsinki resident. Address: Ainonkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki Phone: (09) 454 4212 Email: info@farang.fi |
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KATAJANOKAN
KASINO
a
favorite of ours for many years- is
located on
Katajanokka, a bit of a walk from the market square, behind the Uspenski Cathedral. The restaurant is in a mansion-like building, on it's own lot by the sea. |
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The
main dining room on the ground floor is
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grand in an
old style. Upstairs
there are smaller
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rooms
for private meetings and
dinners and
there
is also a big banquet room for larger parties. The restaurant also has a terrace facing the bay, and, a few steps down, summer outdoor seating in the garden, by the water. The garden is wonderful for dining or drinks. We have had both dinner and lunch at the "Kasino" on several occasions over the years, both indoors and in the garden, usually in a group of four plus a baby. The reception and the service have been warm and friendly. The quality and consistency of the food is quite high. They have also been very gracious about substituting items on the menu or mixing items from different dishes on the menu. One evening we went there and the restaurant was closed due to a private reception. Nevertheless, they accomodated us by placing us in a private dining room upstairs. These are nice people who run a great restaurant with delicious food and frendlier service than most restaurants in Helsinki. This time we
dined here twice. On our first
evening
in Helsinki, it was just the two of us. We were so impressed that we decided to return in a bigger |
ALEXANDER NEVSKI is gone. Too bad; it was our favorite Russian restaurant in Helsinki. We have noticed that many people are still looking for the restaurant. RESTAURANT
SASSO,
with Italian fare, now
proudly stands in "Nevski's" space,
Second linkwhich has been thoroughly transformed into quite the opposite of what the "old" space used to look like, with heavy draperies, etc. Now, a modern interior, mostly in light earth tones, has emerged. We have yet to sample the place ourselves, but have heard pretty positive reviews. Downstairs,
replacing Restaurant Havis Amanda, is FISH MARKET, a
seafood restaurant, just like it's predecessor.
Also this space has been renovated and updated. We have heard very favorable reviews and opinions about the Fish Market. |
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group.
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Everyone in
our group of 6 adults (and a child) was
blown away by how good the food was. Even the desserts were wonderful. So good, that we were "teasing" each other about who had the better choice. Again, the service was warm, natural and filled with of good natured humor. We wanted to go back for a third time, but they were hosting a couple of weddings that night. We are not surprised: it is a beautiful place to have a wedding. P.S. Ask the waitress to tell you about the friendly house ghost. Recent visit: Still delicious. second link |
RESTAURANT
NUEVO
a
popular spot, was our "best bang for
the buck"
restaurant in Helsinki, in 2003. The location, in a historically preserved alley in the heart of the "Empire Centre", between the dome and the Market Square, is great, especially if you sit on their sidewalk terrace, enjoying the historic ambience, facing the Dome or the harbor. Wow. The food was surprisingly good and the service fun and friendly. Based on our experiences there in 2002, we ate at Nuevo 3 times on our eleven day trip in 2003. We particularly enjoyed their gazpacho and their whitefish. Our dinner guests told us that the meat dishes were quite tasty. The wine list actually has some decent affordable choices, not so common in Helsinki. We had a |
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very
nice
Rioja, Fuedo
Crianza,
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for
less than 28 Euros.
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Downstairs,
Cafe Strindberg offers sandwiches,
salads, pastries and coffee (espresso, cappucino, latte etc.). They also serve wine and beer. You take a tray, and move down the line picking up the stuff you want and you pay at the end. In the summer, you can sit outside and enjoy the Esplanade park and some great people-watching. Upstairs, Restaurant Strindberg serves pretty good fare at both lunch and dinner. Window seats overlook the Esplanade park. Strindberg
has a lounge, with comfortable sofas
and chairs, good for late night drinks and conversation, if you do not mind the smoke. You can click here for a second link |
Nuevo imports
its espresso from Spain, and
for
our taste, it was the best coffee in Helsinki. Recent visit; still good. Nuevo is one of the few restaurants that are open Sundays, a day when staff has to be paid double in Finland. second link The patios of Restaurant Nuevo & Café Sofia. Click to enlarge  |
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THE
HOTTEST NEW HELSINKI RESTAURANT, ON OUR:
"Tony´s
Deli is a declaration of love to Italian
and Mediterranean food." Nice place. Address: Bulevardi 7, 00120 Helsinki, Tel: 020- 7424 268 |
RESTAURANT CARMA The very talented chef Markus Aremo, whose cooking we loved so much at George, has opened his own small restaurant in the center of Helsinki. We have not yet had a chance to sample his cuisine there, but have heard only good things, so we cannot wait. Carma has one star in the 2010 Michelin Guide. Address: Ludviginkatu 3–5, 00130 Helsinki Tel: (+358) 9- 673 236 second link |
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RESTAURANT LOFT Loft Restaurant & Lounge Specializing in seasonal Scandinavian cuisine, using locally grown / produced ingredients. Chef: Jussi Peisa. Established in 2007. Address: Yrjönkatu 18 (Btw Bulevardi and Uudenmaanaktu) 00120 HELSINKI Tel: (+358) 9- 428 12500 NY Times review of Loft |
RESTAURANT
GROTESK
Address: Ludviginkatu 8-10, 00130 Helsinki Phone: 010-470- 2110 From the owners of Demo, a new, casual restaurant serving simple but delicious food. Chefs/owners: Tommi Tuominen & Teemu Aura Grotesk received a Bib Gourmand mention in the 2010 Michelin Guide. NY Times review of Grotesk Helsingin Sanomat review (the "NY Times of Helsinki") of Grotesk |
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Be sure to check out our "SUMMER RESTAURANT - LIST" that features restaurants on different islands, just a few minute boat ride from the center area. Below, just one of these "hidden" Helsinki gems that are worth a visit: Klippan island & Klippan restaurant & bar: CLICK ON PHOTO for place names and a much larger view:  So many restaurants, so little time! Unfortunately we never have the time to explore all the splendid restaurants we would like to while in Helsinki. We would love to hear from fellow Helsinki travelers & foodies. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHICH RESTAURANTS YOU HAVE ENJOYED IN HELSINKI |
ATELJÈ
FINNE
Is located in a space that used to house a sculptor's, Gunnar Finne's, studio. This is a popular restarurant, that cranks out consistently good food, made out of fresh ingredients. Friendly service, nice atmosphere, fresh fish. Popular for brunch, too. ATELJÈ FINNE is owned by the same talented people, who own Restaurant Kuurna. Arkadiankatu 14 00100 Helsinki, Finland Tel: (+358) 9- 493 110 |
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General
about wine pricing in Helsinki Restaurants:
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Be
aware that
Finnish restaurants
generally appear to mark-up their wines to a higher degree than comparable American restaurants. For example, it is not uncommon to see a wine that would retail in a |
wine store
for $15 in the US, selling
for over $50 on a menu in Finland. An example: We saw a Marqués de Riscal Reserva 2002, Rioja for 42 Euros (= $ 55.5 in Feb., 2007) on the wine list of a casual restaurant |
in Helsinki.
In New York the retail
price for this wine ranges from $13 to $14 The Marqués de Riscal Reserva 2001 (that has an IWS rating of 90 points) sells between $10 to $14 in New York. |
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You
should now be able to dine totally smoke-free in Finland: A SMOKING
BAN IN
FINNISH RESTAURANTS TOOK EFFECT on the
1st of
June, 2007. |
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