Restaurant Nokka - the best HelsinkiMenu restaurant in 2008

 In second place was the Kuu, a restaurant in Töölö, and in third the Kellarikrouvi, right by the Kasarmintori Square. The HelsinkiMenu Restaurant title was awarded for the ninth time and the choice was made by gastronome Visa Nurmi from 14 candidates.

The HelsinkiMenu means much to the Nokka and is part of the restaurant’s general policy to favour Finnish ingredients. A lot of work had gone into planning the menu, and the result was a harmonious entity. The wine recommendations were also good and the service courteous, competent and willing. These were the considerations that made the Nokka the clear winner.

The choice of the runner-up, the Kuu, was influenced particularly by the enthusiastic staff, the excellent, active service and the restaurant’s good feel. The food had been lovingly prepared and had soul. The HelsinkiMenu was also well featured both at the restaurant and on the Kuu website.

The Kellarikrouvi in third place was commended for its hearty, tasty food. Its menu also offered one of the real gems of the survey: potato purée topped with boletus mushroom cream.

The aim of the HelsinkiMenu is to promote Finnish cuisine, to make Finnish gastronomy known and to draw attention to quality Finnish ingredients by featuring them more widely on restaurant menus. Chefs create delicious meals using the best seasonal produce, each in his or her own distinctive way.This year there are 13 HelsinkiMenu Restaurants.  They are marked with HM on this site, and recognised by the “fork of plenty” symbol placed on the restaurants' front doors. The HelsinkiMenu is backed by Finfood and the City of Helsinki.

    * Restaurant Nokka, address: Kanavaranta 7 F, tel.+358 9 6128 5600, HM, HC
    * Restaurant Kuu, address: Töölönkatu 27, tel. +358 9 2709 0973, HM, HC
    * Kellarikrouvi, address: Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu 6, tel. +358 9 6128 5100, HM, HC