Vinkkeli

1889 was when The Eiffel Tower – possibly the world’s greatest tourist attraction – was built. 1889 was also the year that a row of Neo-Renaissance buildings were erected in Helsinki’s Kaartinkaupunki neighborhood..It’s ony fitting that one of these is home to a French restaurant, a classy, white tablecloth sort of place where people sit down to proper three-course lunches  and where the soundtrack is an endless tribute to 1950’s American jazz. Vinkkeli (Finnish for ‘a point of view’) is a refreshing addition to the capital’s Design District. Neighboring the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture, it certainly does its part in showcasing Finnish art. The golden yellow, three-dimensional piece entitled Aurinkotarinoita (‘Sun Stories’) brings a mythical Finnish edge to the otherwise neat French setting.

Lightly fried cod with risotto nero and lobster foam is a nod to classic French cooking, a dish of deep and round flavors. To pair? Chablis of course. The meal is capped with a selection of petit fours and a cup of strong Italian-style espresso . Vinkkeli’s charms lie not only in its elegant decor and delicious food, but also in its service; the staff is tangibly excited and proud of its offerings.

Published June, 2019.