REVIEW: Olo Restaurant, Helsinki, Finland

Pan-fried arctic char with asparagus, broccoli puree and browned butter sauce at Olo Restaurant, Helsinki

Serving gourmet Scandinavian cuisine in the centre of Helsinki, there’s a reason Olo Restaurant has a Michelin star. Find out all about the incredible menu in my latest review. 

When it comes to foodie cities, I never expected Helsinki to be a top destination. But, with 4 Michelin starred restaurants in the centre, and plenty of spectacular waterside locations to dine at, it’s a city that really took me by surprise! During my week staying at Visit Helsinki’s #HelsinkiSecret Residence I spent an evening at Olo Restaurant (Ravintola Olo) enjoying their 9 course tasting menu (entitled ‘The Shorter Way’) with wine pairings.

I don’t think I’ve ever sat at a restaurant table to find something totally uncooked waiting for me. But, sure enough, as I took my seat beside the window at Olo, as a beautiful rainbow draped itself through the sky, there was a dish of unbaked sourdough. “It’s rising” waitress Melanie said. “I’ll take it off to be baked and bring it back when it’s ready.” Nice touch I thought…

Unbaked sourdough awaited us as we arrived at Olo Restaurant, Helsinki
Unbaked sourdough awaited us as we arrived at Olo Restaurant, Helsinki
Magical view out of the window at Olo Restaurant, Helsinki
Magical view out of the window at Olo Restaurant, Helsinki

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A Scenic Flight Over Helsinki – Flying Over The Finnish Capital

View from a Cessna flight over Helsinki

A scenic flight over Helsinki is an incredible way to get to know the Finnish capital. Find out all about this unique experience. 

As I boarded my flight from London to Helsinki, I couldn’t help but snap away out of the window as we were coming in to land. Fairytale forests, the impressive Suomenlinna Fortress, and beautiful archipelago filled my plane window. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Over the next few days, while visiting the city as part of Visit Helsinki’s #HelsinkiSecret campaign, I explored the city on foot, by tram, boat, kayak and big wheel. However I never expected for a moment that I’d be taking to the skies in a 4-seater Cessna!

Jutta, a friendly local contacted me via twitter asking if I fancied a unique birds-eye view of the city.

What could she possibly mean? We continued to chat back and forth and days later arranged to meet at Helsinki Central Station. From there we travelled 30 minutes by bus to Malmi Airport. Just 10km from the city, the small airport boasts around 40,000 landings every year.

Ready to fly at Malmi Airport
Ready to fly at Malmi Airport
Malmi Airport, Helsinki
Malmi Airport, Helsinki

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REVIEW: Disfrutar Restaurant, Barcelona – A Meal At One Of The World’s Best Restaurants

Elderflower amber at Disfrutar Restaurant, Barcelona

With two Michelin stars and rated one of the top 10 best restaurants in the world, a meal at Disfrutar Barcelona is like nothing you’ve experienced before. After one of the best meals of my life, I couldn’t wait to return!

It’s pretty rare I return to a city and want to eat at exactly the same restaurant I went to to before. With so many places to explore, why wouldn’t you try somewhere new? But when I had a trip to Barcelona confirmed, there was only one place on my mind. Disfrutar Barcelona. 

Disfrutar Restaurant Barcelona
Disfrutar Restaurant Barcelona

Opened at the end of 2014 by Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas, three head chefs at Ferran Adria’s former-best-restaurant-in-the-world elBulli, it was a restaurant pretty much guaranteed to produce great food. I described my first visit as an evening of magic and theatre. But with expectations sky high – how would it fare on my return?

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REVIEW: Hotel Kungsträdgården, Stockholm, Sweden

Third floor seating area at Hotel Kungsträdgården, Stockholm

Elegant, luxurious and historic with tip-top service, Hotel Kungsträdgården is a great choice for a visit to Stockholm on business or pleasure. 

Stockholm. One of the most expensive cities on the planet. Unfortunately for my bank balance, it’s also one of my favourites! Food is pricey and accommodation even more so. Unless you’re feeling terribly flush, you may find your budget restricts your enjoyment.

View of Stockholm Sweden
View of Stockholm, Sweden

Opened last January, Hotel Kungsträdgården offers comfortable rooms in a spectacularly restored 18th century residence, bang in the centre of the city. As I chatted to Adam, the hotel’s immaculately dressed concierge (think English gent meets Swedish aristocrat), he explained that while the hotel’s rooms are on the small side. Basically – the hotel doesn’t scrimp in any other areas, something that makes it top value for money in the city. When it comes to repeat business, this hotel has it nailed.

Hotel Kungsträdgården Exterior
Hotel Kungsträdgården Exterior

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