Baltic herrings were what sprung to mind when I thought
about Finnish food. Reindeer was another dish I expected to see on the menu but
I would have to avoid thinking
about Rudolph if I ventured to try it. Frankly, I did not know much
about the food in Finland but I was in for an eye-opener.
Finland’s cuisine has its roots in both the East and the
West. The Finns are said to like their food and, as I was about to discover,
are loyal to their culinary origins. Simple, fresh and local, words that are music to my ears, were
what I found to epitomise Finnish cuisine.
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| Restaurant Bröd Punavuori |
The country is known
for its lakes and rivers, and Helsinki is on the coast, so you
would expect fish in abundance. So, too are vegetables and berries.
Lingonberries are particularly good here. Bitter and sour on their own, they
are great with porridge. You often find them served here with meat balls, a
favourite dish. Another speciality has to be the flavoursome rye bread.
After a day taking in all the sights that Helsinki has to
offer, I was looking forward to dinner. I had booked a table at the Bröd
Punavuori, the bistro-style restaurant at the Hotel Indigo Helsinki – Boulevard
where I was staying. It has a pleasant atmosphere and the service is good.
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| Arctic char |
Like many hotels, the Indigo Helsinki – Boulevard sources
local produce so it can be assured of quality. The menu is a cross between Scandinavian and
European cuisine with a helping of Helsinkian.
With a name like Bröd you would expect bread to figure
heavily on the menu and it does. But this is no ordinary stuff, the restaurant dishes up
delicious locally-baked bread that oozes flavour. The apricot bread was
more like cake and the dark rye bread was so delicious that I asked for more.
You cannot get such tasty bread back home.
For the starter I went for the raw matured salmon and Skagen
salad (a Scandinavian version of a prawn salad) which was delicious.
My waiter told me that the Finns in the summer like fish
with new potatoes and some sauce. He suggested that I try the Arctic char, which is similar
to salmon but has a more delicate flavour. Served with a wonderful crayfish
sauce, this was exquisite.
To accompany my meal I had a glass of crisp, dry riesling
from Alsace. With hints of green apples this was a perfect match with the fish.
There is also a great
selection of desserts to tempt you. I chose the selection of
mouth-watering sorbets, Granny Smith, blueberry and red currant, served with
figs.
I could easily be converted to the food in Finland. I cannot
say the same for the climate, long winters and short summers!
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
British Airways flies to Helsinki. Fares start from £45 each
way. For more information visit britishairways.com
NB On this Euro Traveller flight BA offers a snack such as a packet of
crisps and a bar service
I stayed at the Helsinki – Boulevard which I can highly
recommend. Book your stay through IHG Rewards Club to benefit from IHG’s
Lowest Price Promise initiative – a guarantee that guests will get the lowest
rates when they book directly with IHG. For further information or bookings,
visit hotelIndigo.com
