Espoo, Finland
Seems it has been exactly 8 months since last update, way, way too long. Anyway, was happy to end the long break with Plats, located in the small island just outside of Helsinki city skirts. The place is easily accessible with car and less than 2 kilometers away from Koivusaari metro station.
The location is absolutely beautiful, naturally with the sea view and as weather permitted, we enjoyed it fully by having table on the terrace outside.
The restaurant Plats offers à la carte menu, changing by season, as well as five course tasting menu (64€). We chose the tasting menu, without asking details about it and it turned out to be selection of dishes from the list. Having each dish individually from the list would be 93€, not sure if there is difference in the size of the portions. For aperitif had really good house negroni (12€) and to go with the food, a wine package for 46€. For some reason not possible to have half pours of wines, but can split the wines for two persons.
I did not know much of the place beforehand, but first dish proved already that we can expect to have fantastic meal: Vichyssoise, foamy leak soup with pickled and fried onions on top just took your breath away. If possible, second dish with sugar-salted arctic char with asparagus and hollandaise, was even better, just beautiful. If you have not ever tried finnish asparagus, give it a go…absolutely amazing (might also be that I’ve never really had fresh asparagus, but it was a real treat).
Third dish featured also asparagus, now white one (imported) served grilled with tasty nettle purée. Went nicely with riesling from Korrell. From the list this one is sold as main dish as well as is the next dish from the tasting menu, lamb with carrots and carrot purée. Chorizo pieces with almonds gave nice texture, but lamb was a little too done for my taste. Anyway, I was happy to eat it and flush down with some ripasso.
The dessert with vanilla pannacotta, sorbet and rasberries was perfect and refreshing end to a very nice meal. Wine pairing was nicely done and service was professional and friendly. Current restrictions with alcohol serving times and restaurant opening times maybe affected a little bit and place might have been a little bit under staffed.
I don’t know if it has been a long break or what, but we had an excellent meal and very nice experience overall.
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