Signature Menu at Bon Vivant

June 09, 2015 by Anna Keski-Kohtamäki in Travel, Restaurant

Bon Vivantin Signature Menu - Suomenkielinen tiivistelmä löytyy alta.

After we had spent one night in Stockholm we came back to Helsinki by Silja Serenade. On the ferry trip we had a lovely dinner with wine pairings at the Bon Vivant restaurant. Restaurant offered a six course Signature Menu by Anti Lepik & Heikki Härmä.

We really enjoyed the whole menu. My favorites were definitely razor clam, black salsify soup, elk and elderberry flower sorbet. The wines were well paired.

Dining was definitely the best way to spend the time on a ferry. We really liked the peaceful atmosphere with a sea view companied with perfect food and wine. I highly recommend you to try this.

Sponsored by Tallink Silja.

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Bon Vivantin Signature Menu

Paras tapa nauttia laivamatkasta on syödä hyvin ravintola Bon Vivantissa ja nauttia hyvistä viineistä sekä rauhalliseta tunnelmasta merinäköaloja katsellen.

Matkan ja ruoat tarjosi Tallink Silja.

Visit to Stockholm with Silja Line

May 16, 2015 by Anna Keski-Kohtamäki in Travel, Restaurant

Tukholmaan Silja Linella - Suomenkielinen tiivistelmä löytyy alta.

My friend Hertta & I needed a spring break so we traveled to Stockholm. We decided to travel by a ferry and to spend one night in a hotel in Stockholm.

I am not a big ferry traveler but this time we decided to take a ferry to Stockholm. We wanted to have a deluxe experience so we travelled with Tallink Silja.

We went to Stockholm with Silja Symphony and came back with Silja Serenade. They are both recently renovated and looking really good. On our way to Stockholm we had a Deluxe cabin with a window view to the promenade. There was a prosecco bottle to greet us. That was a lovely surprise.

We had a dinner in the new restaurant Sushi & co. The restaurant was nicely decorated, peaceful and comfortable to dine in. We enjoyed some sushi and my favorite: the nori salad. We wanted to celebrate a little so we also had a bottle of champagne. After the dinner we went to see the musical Saturday Night Fever. I didn't even know that it is possible to see a musical on the boat. We had fun observing all the people who were so excited to see the musical and most of them sang along. It was lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves. The next morning we had the breakfast at the Italian restaurant Tavolàta. It is more peaceful and nicely decorated than the Grand Buffet. I recommend to choose that if you like more peaceful atmosphere.

On our way back home we had the Deluxe cabin with a sea view. We enjoyed the view with some prosecco. Later we had the Signature Menu at the Bon Vivant restaurant. It was a lovely experience. (I'll write another post about the menu. Stay tuned.)

It was a surprisingly lovely experience. We both really enjoyed.

Sponsored by Tallink Silja.

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Tukholmaan Silja Linella

Matkustimme ystäväni Hertan kanssa Tukholmaan kuukausi sitten. Vaihtelun vuoksi halusimme matkustaa laivalla ja kokea luksus laivamatkan. Valitsimme Silja Linen. Nautimme Deluxe-hytistä upeilla maisemilla ja hyvästä ruoasta Sushi & co sekä Bon Vivant -ravintoloissa. Kävimme myös katsomassa musikaalia laivalla.

Matkan ja ruoat tarjosi Tallink Silja.

HKI+, Vietnamese Phở Soup Made with Love

February 16, 2015 by Anna Keski-Kohtamäki in Restaurant, Travel

Vietnamilaista phở-keittoa rakkaudella - Suomenkielinen tiivistelmä alla.

There are few places in Helsinki where you can get the delicious Vietnamese phở soup. I heard that there is a new place called HKI+ in Torikorttelit. HKI+ is a small cafe that serves also summer rolls and phở.

Hertta and I went to test the phở on the Valentines day. Let me tell you that this soup was made with love! Really tasty. I think you should try it.

HKI+ is run by a young Vietnamese couple. The service is lovely and warm. I wish we would have more places like this, unique and run by spicy immigrants.

HKI+
Unioninkatu 28
Torikorttelit, Helsinki
facebook.com/HKIplus

HKI+, Vietnamilaista phở-keittoa rakkaudella

Harvasta paikasta Helsingissä saa vietnamilaista phở-keitto. Jotkut on tehty suorittaen, toiset rakkaudella. Rakkaudella kokattua phởta saa HKI+-nimisestä kahvilasta Torikortteleista. Käy maistamassa!

HKI+
Unioninkatu 28
Torikorttelit, Helsinki
facebook.com/HKIplus

Amsterdam - Any tips?

February 15, 2015 by Anna Keski-Kohtamäki in Travel

Amsterdam, vinkkejä? - Suomenkielinen käännös löytyy alta.

I have visited Amsterdam and Rotterdam once in July 2010. Now it is time to travel there again as my friend Maikki is living and working there at the moment.

I am going to travel with Hertta & Marina. Among Maikki, Marina will be a good guide for us as she has lived there before. We are going to stay in Jordaan which I remember to be a nice neighborhood.

De Belhamel is one of my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam. — De Belhamel is one of my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam.

Our plan is to rent bicycles, eat well and go to some art exhibitions. Shopping is prohibited for me as I did that a lot in Barcelona in January. But maybe if there are some nice second hand and vintage boutiques I would like to go. Do you know any good ones?

I wrote about Amsterdam and Rotterdam onto my old blog Koemaistaja, you may read the posts here (in Finnish though):

Our flight to Amsterdam is on 18 February 2015. If you have any tips, please do tell us. Thank you!

Amsterdam, vinkkejä?

Edellisestä Damin reissusta onkin jo vierähtänyt 4,5 vuotta. Ystäväni Maikki muutti viime syksynä tähän kanaalien ja polkupyörien kaupunkiin, joten tuli oiva tilaisuus lähteä reissuun. Mukaan pakkaan kaksi ystävää Hertan ja Marinan. Luvassa hyvää ruokaa, pyöräilyä ja taidetta.

Lennämme 18.2.2015, joten jos sinulla on reissuvinkkejä, niin lähetäthän niitä meille. Kiitos!

Barcelona - Any tips?

January 04, 2015 by Anna Keski-Kohtamäki in Travel, Friends

Barcelona, vinkkejä? - Suomenkielinen käännös löytyy alta.

I have already traveled to Barcelona five times. It's the city where I will always return. On my first trip to Barcelona in spring 2004 - when I was an exchange student in San Sebastián - I met this Catalan girl Ariadna. She has been my soul sister in Barcelona ever since. I always travel back there to stay with her. Last time I saw her in August 2013 in Helsinki And my latest trip to Barcelona took place in February 2011.

Ariadna & Violeta used to be flatmates when I traveled there last time. — Ariadna & **Violeta** used to be flatmates when I traveled there last time.

Shiva is a rescue dog Ariadna & Violeta used to take care of. Shiva's owner was in Dubai. — Shiva is a rescue dog Ariadna & Violeta used to take care of. Shiva's owner was in Dubai.

Ariadna is a godmother for Sandra's daughter Uma. — Ariadna is a godmother for **Sandra**'s daughter **Uma**.

My next trip is going to happen next week so there has been a four years gap between my travelings over there. I am flying to Barcelona on 7 January 2015 with my sister and her daughter (who will soon turn two years old).

Mireia's Italian greyhound Lucca and galgo Palmete.

Mireia with Klea's Irish wolfhound Grace. — Mireia with **Klea**'s Irish wolfhound Grace.

All my galgos (Nuba, Lula RIP & Blanca RIP) have been adopted via SOS Galgos. I try to visit their veterinary center every time when in Barcelona and to help them as much as I can. — All my galgos (Nuba, Lula RIP & Blanca RIP) have been adopted via SOS Galgos. I try to visit their veterinary center every time when in Barcelona and to help them as much as I can.

I will spend two weeks in Barcelona so I have time to visit quite many restaurants. My sister (who is an aerialist / a clown) is at a circus residency and practicing every day so I will be taking care of her daughter, my niece. Lunch will be cooked at home, at least I think it is easier with my niece. The evenings are my own time when I am going to eat out with my local friends.

La Bascula - A vegetarian restaurant where I always eat when in Barcelona. — La Bascula - A vegetarian restaurant where I always eat when in Barcelona.

La Bascula - My friend Kristiina took me here to buy cupcakes when I was in Barcelona for the first time. — La Bascula - My friend **Kristiina** took me here to buy cupcakes when I was in Barcelona for the first time.

Please do give me recommendations where to eat and to have a coffee or drinks. I think I have seen most of the sightseeing but if you know something new going on, please let me know.

You may follow my Instagram pics of the trip under the hashtag #tlhbarcelona.

All the photos are from my last trip to Barcelona in February 2011.

Barcelona - Vinkkejä?

Barcelona on kaupunki, mihin tulen aina palaamaan. Ensimmäisellä reissullani vuonna 2004 ystävystyin katalaanityttö Ariadnaan ja olen asunut hänen luonaan jo useamman kerran. Ensi viikolla olen lähdössä kuudennelle Barcelonan reissulleni. Edellisestä onkin jo vierähtänyt aikaa neljä vuotta, joten kaipaan tuoreita vinkkejä ravintoloista, kahviloista ja viinibaareista. Muutkin vinkit toki kiinnostaa.

Me at Klea's house with her greyhound Fabiola. Photo © Mireia Costa Escobar — Me at Klea's house with her greyhound Fabiola. Photo © Mireia Costa Escobar

Voit seurata matkakuviani livenä Instagramissa hashtagin #tlhbarcelona takana.

Kaikki kuvat ovat edelliseltä Barcelonan reissultani helmikuulta 2011.

Tallinn & The Food Scene

December 22, 2014 by Anna Keski-Kohtamäki in Travel, Restaurant, Food

Tallinnan ruokaskene - Suomenkielinen tiivistelmä löytyy lopusta.

Twice I have had an honor to join the evaluation of The 50 Best Restaurants in Tallinn. First time was in Septermber 2013 and the second in Septermber 2014. As I have also traveled to Tallinn many times I have visited many restaurants.

There are many interesting restaurants with great value for the money. Many of the restaurant have a different style from the restaurants in Finland. I have noticed that the tradition of cooking with game meat and the season vegetables among the home made style is more obvious in Estonia. You will find delicious home made ice cream and bread from most of the nice restaurants.

Here are some of my recommendations in totally random order.

Horisont

Fine dining with amazing views up in the 30th floor. If you want to skip the dinner enjoy a drink with a view at the Horisont Bar. Eaten here once in September 2014.

Photo © Marina Ekroos — Photo © Marina Ekroos

Kolm Sibulat

Easy going stylish atmosphere with inspiring food and pleasant service. One of my favorites and I love their scallops! Great value for your money. Eaten here twice in September and November 2013.

Kohvik Moon

Same owners with Kolm Sibulat. Same style but a hint more fancier. Try the home made schnapps. Located quite close to the harbor so eat here just before taking the ferry. Great value for your money. Eaten here three times in February, September and November 2013.

Mekk

Savoy Boutique Hotel's restaurant. Quality food thought the milieu is ok, but nothing special. Worth going for the food! Eaten here once in September 2013.

Gianni

Classically beautiful Italian with chatty service and white table linen. Try the risotto. Eaten here once in September 2014.

Platz

Weird building, ugly menu card, but cozy atmosphere with surprisingly good food. Recommended for vegetarians as well. Service was pleasant. Great value for your money. Eaten here once in September 2014.

Klaus *

Comfortable inner yard terrace. Lovely place for a breakfast close to Kohvik Moon. Eaten here once in June 2014.

Diip *

A cozy restaurant in Kalamaja neighbourhood. A possibility to dine on the terrace. In case you are traveling with children choose this one. They have a play corner for kids. The food was delicious. Eaten here once in June 2014.

Chedi *

Fine dining Chinese. I was expecting a lot more and got a little disappointed. The milieu is beautiful but the food was too basic if you look at the price tag. Or then I just didn't know what to order. Eaten here once in November 2013.

Bocca

Modern Italian. Beautiful milieu. Service a little bit distant. Would expect something more. Most of the portions were delicious. Eaten here once in September 2014.

Neh *

Location is weird next to a gas station but the building is really beautiful. Everything was quite good. Eaten here once in February 2013.

Dominic

This one has the best wine cellar in Tallinn. Food was ok, but they could do better with the service. Eaten here once in September 2013.

Among these I have also eaten once at Wicca, La Bottega & Nero and twice at Lucca. Wicca and Lucca are outside the Tallinn city center.

La Bottega. Photo © Marina Ekroos — La Bottega. Photo © Marina Ekroos

Me Instagramming at Lucca. Photo © Marina Ekroos — Me Instagramming at Lucca. Photo © Marina Ekroos

Restoran Lucca sells some wine. Photo © Marina Ekroos — Restoran Lucca sells some wine. Photo © Marina Ekroos

Cherry jam with the chocolate cake was delicious. Photo © Marina Ekroos — Cherry jam with the chocolate cake was delicious. Photo © Marina Ekroos

I will write more about my favorites Kohvik Moon, Kolm Sibulat, Platz & Gianni. Stay tuned!

On my next trip to Tallinn I will make reservations for Salt, Frank and Vegan Restoran V.

Read also my previous posts about Tallinn:
Tallinn Traveller
Tallinn, Estonia - Where to Stay and How to Travel.

In cooperation with The 50 Best Restaurants & Visit Estonia (but the ones with the *).

Tallinnan ruokaskene

Olen kahdesti saanut kunnian olla mukana arvioimassa Tallinnan ravintoloita The 50 Best Restaurants -sivustolle. Lisäksi olen käynyt Tallinnassa useaan otteeseen eri ravintoloissa, joten osaan antaa useita ravintolavinkkejä. Jos englanninkieli ei taivu, niin ota toki yhteyttä meilitse tai Facebookissa, niin saat vinkkini myös suomenkielellä.

Yhteistyössä The 50 Best Restaurants & Visit Estonia (paitsi ravintolat, joiden nimien perässä on *).