Savoy

Here’s a true classic for you: Savoy, open since 1937 and located on the stately, green Esplanadi Park, was designed by celebrated Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino. 

Take the elevator to the 8th floor and you’ll be transported to a prestigious, pre-war salon with dark upholstry, blonde wood and Aalto-designed, beehive-like lamps that shed warm light on the functionalist interiors. Here, the wait staff has mastered the art of being slightly formal yet utterly accommodating, ensuring that you’ll feel perfectly pampered while you enjoy prime city views and seasonal fare.

A generous piece of cured halibut is accompanied by horseradish cream and buttermilk sauce with dill oil, the dish resembles a psychedelic painting from the 70’s, it’s followed by a René Magritte-esque creation of fried whitefish with earthy pumpkin seed pesto, sweet pumpkin, spinach foam, and lemony ricotta that bring out the matcha-like tones of a Riesling from Weingut Toni. This is a pairing worth experiencing. Dessert is yet another colorful burst of spring flavors; a disk of pistacchio with crème brûlée and grapefruit segments that cause ripples of delight in your mouth. 

Published June, 2019.