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 TM
Helsinki – The Finnish Mini-Gourmopolis
Despite comments by French President
Jacques Chirac and Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Finland's dynamic
capital has in the last few years become a rising mini-star on the European
culinary scene.
 "There are now more than 800 restaurants for a
city of less than about half a million people," notes Helsinki City Tourist &
Convention Bureau Marketing Director Kari Halonen. He attributes the changes to
a new generation of demanding Helsinkians seeking new, trendy places and cuisine
and celebrity chefs coupled with entrepreneurial investors who have risen to the
challenge.
In the past two years alone more than eight major restaurants, five of which are
part of the fast-moving Palace Group, have burst on the scene with celebrity
chefs, superior cuisine and innovative menus that span the culinary globe.
When it opens next month Helsinki's first lifestyle hotel, the Klaus K, will
have two "super chefs" at the helm: world-renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson of NYC
Aquavit fame as well as Finland's own "green chef" Chef Markus Maulavirta known
for his focus on local produce and products.
 A fine
honing of the city's wine bars and new restaurants offering traditional Finnish
cuisine, new additions among eateries representing more than 40 different
international cuisines, a growing profusion of late-night gathering spots and
sidewalk kiosks offering veggie-chocked street food all make Helsinki a Finnish
Mini-Gourmopolis and a very desirable place to live and to visit.
 Helsinki's celebrity chefs include Mr. Hans Välimäki who earned Chez Dominque
two Michelin stars and has turned his latest venture, Mecca, into one of the
hottest restaurant and after-hours places in the capital. He is one of a myriad
of young (24-35) highly competitive Finnish chefs who are committed to
excellence. Välimäki, along with 11 other prominent Scandinavian chefs, signed a
"Nordic Manifesto" seeking to define the Nordic Kitchen, its good taste and
special character, as a world-class cuisine.
Additionally, 10 prominent Finnish chefs
are members of the Helsinki Culinary Team which aims to win the 2008 Culinary
Olympics in Germany. Chefs practice regularly and participate annually in
competitions organized by the World Association of Cook Societies (WACS).
 Sasso (Northern Italian), Fishmarket (seafood), Havis (seafood), La Cocina
(Spanish), Mecca (international), Demo (Scan-European), Loiste (international)
and Boathouse (seafood/grill) are among a host of thriving gourmet restaurants
that have opened in the last two years – to rave reviews. They are noted for
their emphasis on fresh Nordic produce and European fusion elements. Sasso has
put a "spin" on Northern Italian cuisine, not only with its free form décor and
style, popular for everything from afternoon coffee to gourmet meals --as well
as its signature fennel-seed sprinkled cured black olives-- but also in its
presentation. During Eat & Joy week a blazing red Ferrari was parked out front
of the restaurant, which faces Helsinki's verdant Esplanade.
 Typical of Helsinki's super chefs is Mr. Sami Rekola, 31, of La Cocina. Rekola,
a member of the Finnish Culinary Team, traveled through Spain and came away with
a new take on Catalonia and Basque cuisines as well as the Latin culture. Among
his many well-received culinary innovations is the "Latino Chic Menu" (inspired
by the fragrance "Chic" by Caroline Herrera) for 52 euros – a 5 course tasting
menu.
Music, fashion, design and art are integrally linked with Eat & Joy Helsinki,
which is produced in cooperation with Helsinki Design Week. Events take place in
40 Helsinki restaurants, from two-Michelin-star restaurants to clubs and karaoke
bars. One-of-a-kind Eat & Joy menus, wine tastings, original shows by bartenders
and entertainment troupes at different restaurants, a command performance by
Finland's Culinary Team at South Harbor and many other activities were all part
of the action.
In the last handful of years Helsinki's bars and nightlife have shifted into
high gear. Abo, a new bar touted as the "best après ski in town", gives new life
to the décor of a former Russian restaurant with added embellishments: pinball
machines and a rolling palm tree in a living-room size unisex bathroom. It joins
a lively after-hours scene that is particularly dense on Eerikinkatu, Helsinki's
"Great Bar Way" where the likes of namesake Moskva, film-director Aki
Kaurismaki's funky Corona Bar and many others are located.
 The latest
star in underground Clubland, Rosegarden, is a small cellar-style nightclub with
a varied repertoire that begins when other bars close. Finlandia's IceBar
located in nightclub UNIQ, which offers disco décor and dancing, is a popular
place to stop for a polar nightcap that comes complete with a warm robe. For
more highbrow clubbing try Teatteri which doubles as gourmet restaurant with
draping décor and a chic clientele. There are also two heavy metal karaoke bars.
And for intimate gatherings at almost all times try the Bar and Library at the
Hotel Kämp; it made the Forbes 2005 list of the "World's Best Hotel Bars".
"Ten years ago there were only two restaurant choices: family style and haute
cuisine," notes Sasso Sommelier at Mr. Joonas Vainio. Clearly, Helsinki has come
a long way, and is proving to be a veritable force on the international culinary
scene.
For information on travel to Finland contact The Finnish Tourist Board
212-885-9700/Fax 212-885-9710/e-mail: mek.usa@mek.fi
; www.visitfinland.com/na ,
www.gofinland.org ,
www.finlandkingsroad.com .
For more information on Eat and Joy
visit www.eatandjoy.com .
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