Ventuno

Kaartinkaupunki, Helsinki’s historic center is where you’ll want to go to soak in stories from the Finnish Civil War era. This neighborhood dotted with red brick buildings was home to many major historical players, Finnish military leader and statesman Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim, famous writers and true voices of their time, Anni Swan and Juhani Aho, as well as the Okhrana, the Russian Empire’s secret-police force, to name but a few. 

In the heart of this district, next to the majestic, gothic revival style St. John's Church and the colorful Design Museum, lies a trailblazing Italian bistro helmed by Tomi Björk and Matti Wikberg. And while this duo is best known for its Asian restaurant concepts, Ventuno is Björk and Wikberg’s homage to classic Italian cuisine, with an emphasis on family-style, shared plates in a typically Italian, convivial atmosphere. Arancinis are a crispy, creamy crowd pleaser. Cacio e pepe doesn’t disappoint either, this time-honored comfort food is beefed up with brown butter, for good measure.

Service is attentive and pleasant, adding another layer of sunshine to this Roman holiday.

Published June, 2019.