Brasserie & Pub Alexanderplats is an elegant restaurant definitely worth visiting for the bestsellers of classic French and European cuisine, made with the finest ingredients and needs no fancy decorations.
The restaurant has one of the best locations in Helsinki: it’s located on Eteläesplanadi, opposite the National Swedish Theater and Stockmann department store.
In addition to the spacious and bright main hall, during the warm season there is a terrace in front of the restaurant with a beautiful view of the Esplanadi Park which is always full of visitors. In the backyard there is another intimate terrace where you can enjoy your lunch in privacy with a glass of wine or beer.
The interior of the restaurant is distinguished by its laconicism and low-key style with various items from famous Finnish designers: famous Alvar Aalto lamps, Ilmari Tapiovaara furniture.
In the photo: Alexander Gullichsen
Аlexanderplats is the brainchild of well-known in the gastronomic circles of Scandinavia restaurateur Alexander Gullichsen, who owns another well-known restaurant in Helsinki Maxill and has extensive experience in the restaurant business, together with the restaurateur, mentor and chef Sampo Kantele.
In the photo: Sampo Kantele
“Alexander and I have known each other since young ages, studied together at a culinary college, then each of us went our own way,” — says Sampo, “while working in one of the restaurants in Kruununhaka, my gastronomic tastes were finally formed. This place was found by Alexander, he can rightfully be called the owner of the restaurant. He is responsible for all organizational issues, household and interior. Alexander suggested that I could be responsible for everything related to food. We decided to open a European-style Brasserie with classic cuisine which had not yet existed in Finland”.
Unlike many restaurants in Helsinki, Alexanderplats is open every day from 11.00 until late in the evening, offering weekday lunches and a la carte menus daily.
The menu changes depending on the season, all ingredients used in the dishes are of high quality, most of which are local Finnish.
In the photo: Duck pastry, duck jus and smetana
“There are more Scandinavian dishes at lunch. The main menu reflects the style of European Brasserie, — Alexander enters into the conversation, — this is an old classic in which nothing new needs to be invented, the main thing is that it is tasty and high-quality. The menu is very clear and corresponds to what is written in it, without requiring additional explanations. The dishes are quite voluminous and correspond to their price”.
“The chief at the kitchen is Jukka Nykänen, who always quickly catches our ideas and wishes and embodies all them in his dishes,” — Sampo Kantele continues telling.
Brasserie & Pub Alexanderplats has a large variety of carefully selected of beers and wines to suit everyone’s taste. There are also specially designed wine pairings that go with separately compiled menus (there are three in total).
In the photo: sommelier Angelo Dinato
“Angelo Dinato is our restaurant manager and he’s also responsible for the wine accompaniment,” — Sampo continues, “Angelo has been working in France for a long time, he came to Finland a few years ago. He speaks French, Italian, English and now he is also learning Finnish. A real polyglot (smiles), which is very suitable for the Brasserie format”.
In the photo: Classic steak tartar
The most popular cold snacks are Classic steak tartar made from Finnish beef (15 € / 25 €) and Duck pastry, duck jus and smetana (13 €).
The restaurant’s unchanging classics include hot fish dishes: Pike quenelles, crayfish sauce and spinach (25 €);
Or Plaice Meunière, brown butter and dill potatoes (27 €), which Angelo offers to enjoy with a glass of white wine Domaine de la Solitude Blanc, Rhône.
The restaurant is especially proud of the steak Châteaubriand Café de paris served with garlic potatoes and tomato-onion salad (35 €), the rich taste of which will perfectly set off a glass of French res wine Domaine de la Solitude Chàteauneuf-du-Pape 2018.
In the photo: Alexanderplats team
“This course is always on our menu, a classic for all times, one of the most demanded and favorite dishes of our guests,” — says Alexander Gullichsen.
Desserts, as well as the main menu, are created in classic Brasserie style.
In the photo: Blueberry financier with blueberry jam and cardamom ice cream (11 €).
One of the most delicious and elegant desserts is Chocolate pie with caramel and whipped cream (11 €). A glass of French Crémant Rosé Gustave Lorentz will be a pleasant addition to the sweet plates.
“We are very attentive to each other, we always take into account the wishes of our staff, listen to everyone’s opinion so that none of our employees feel like a robot,” — says Alexander in conclusion. Together we strive for the atmosphere of our restaurant to be not only elegant, but also pleasant and maximum comfortable for spending time here. Our staff does everything to ensure that guests feel free and relaxed, receiving only positive emotions”.
Alexanderplats
Address: Eteläesplanadi 22, 00130 Helsinki
Opening hours: Mon – Thu 11.00 – 01.00; Fri 11.00 – 02.00; Sat 13.00 – 02.00; Sun 13.00 – 22.00
Reservations: info@alexanderplats.fi; 044 723 9030
Instagram: @alexanderplatshelsinki
Editor-in-chief: Patricia Kolari
Technical Director: Evgeny Fedorov
Text writer: Marina Timoshevskaya Photos: EATWEEK
