Kakolanruusu

Infamous for its Kakola prison, Kakolanmäki Hill was once a desolate, unsavory area. Then, quite suddenly, it was spruced up, reinvented and revitalized, the old buildings remodeled for loft living, attracting urbanites seeking a cosmopolitan lifestyle in a now vibrant neighborhood with numerous dining options.

Here, Kaskis restaurant spawned a kid sister in the prison’s inner courtyard, at first just a pop-up to test the concept, now a full-blown eatery where fire is a major theme and where a huge wood burning oven dominates the kitchen. 

Sharing a few dishes is of course the best way to explore Kakolanruusu’s menu; melt-in-your-mouth smoked rainbow trout, creamy-fresh and unctuous Italian burrata, and pimientos de pardon, aka the perfect matrimony of salt and oil.

The wine list veers toward classic picks, with some selected biodynamic and organic choices. If you’re more into beer, there’s a special Mäki lager on tap, a beautifully crisp and light beverage that pairs well with the smoky-bold food. A strong sense community permeates the place, Kakola Brewing, just a stone’s throw away, supplies the suds, the spectacular bread is sourced from Bageri Å, a bakery ambitious enough to mill its own spelt flour, and the coffee comes from Frukt roastery, another one of Kakolanmäki Hill’s newbies. 

Published June, 2019.