Recommend by Michelin Guide, restaurant EMO worth visiting not only for authors nordic cuisine and good selection of wines.
This is a place where you can easily escape from everyday routine and completely plunge into the mysterious and non-trivial Finnish cuisine.
EMO restaurant is part of the OLO-Group founded by restaurateurs Pekka Terävä, Petri Lukkarinen and Teuvo Salminen. In 2013, OLO-Group together with Ilkka Lääveri opened the Gastrobar EMO near the center of Helsinki on Kasarminkatu. Four years later, Gastrobar moved to Kluuvikatu Street into a building next to the five-star Hotel Kämp and was renamed EMO Restaurant.
“E” for Emotions
The laconic interior of the restaurant is made in a Scandinavian style, and like in most Scandinavian restaurants, natural materials and muted colors preferred.
Furniture and interior items are made from different types of wood while dried herbs and flowers with “feels like home” aroma create a special comfort and atmosphere. Coasters, candles, and menu folders are also made of wood.
EMO kitchen is a mix of Scandinavian and European motives in a modernist style. In 2014 the restaurant was noted by the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide and has held this position to present.
In the Photo: Severi Lukkarinen and Ilkka Lääveri
Kitchen is run by Ilkka Lääveri and the drink selection is created by sommelier Severi Lukkarinen, who is also a co-owner of the restaurant.
“Our menu is built according to every season. We treat our suppliers and their products with great respect, — says Chef Ilkka Lääveri. “Most of the products we get from local producers, we also work with suppliers from the nearby Scandinavian countries.”
“We are also passionate about drinks,” — tells Severi Lukkarinen, “our wine and cocktail lists are professionally made as well as the selection of drinks is in line with all global trends.”
“M” for Modern
In addition to the a la carte menu, Chef offers two special menu options including items from the main menu:
– High Five (57 €), wine pairing (51 €)
– Classic Three (46 €), wine pairing (32 €)
As an aperitif before dinner, you can enjoy the bar menu by ordering one of the author’s cocktail variations — each of them will be prepared by Severi taking considering guest’s tastes and preferences.
One of the restaurant’s favorites is light, pleasantly boozy Girls, Girls & Girls based on Aperol, Hendrick’s Gin, Blood Orange.
French 75 based on Brooklyn Gin & Cremant d’Alsace, Lemon & Sugar — refreshingly sparkling long drink.
If you decide to thoroughly discover the a la carte menu, you should start with special appetizers: fish — White Wine Marinated White Fish and Jalapeño Spiced Cucumber (15 €).
With this one sommelier offers white Austrian wine Grundstein Nibiru Kamptal Austria 2018 (11.4 € glass).
The signature EMO bread, which the restaurant is proud of, will be served with the appetizers: wheat sourdough bread and malt with chocolate / whipped butter with salt,
Meat starter — mouth-melting Finnish Lamb Tartar, Bagna Cauda and Sour Dough Bread (16 €).
Lamb tartare with Italian Bagna Cauda sauce will perfectly complemented by Spanish rosé wine Hiruzta Txakoli Rose, Getariako Txakolina Spain.
“O” for Open-hearted
“The key to a successful restaurant is simple: good food and attentive attitude to the guest makes him truly relax and enjoy,” — says Ilkka Lääveri.
A great hot appetizer option — Aubergine, Mozzarella and Emos’s pasta (€ 20) for “spicy” seekers.
In pair to Eggplant with mozzarella and homemade pasta — red wine from Sicily Etna Rosso Pietradolce Sicily 2017 (12,60 € glass).
Among main dishes — Pike Perch, Cauliflower and Sour Milk Sauce (29 €).
Severi recommends to enjoy it with a dry white wine Chablis Terroir de Chichée Patrick Piuze Burgundy 2018 (€ 14.40 glass).
For any dishes you can additionally take Sides, for example: Frex-potatoes & Parmesan or Grilled Broccolini & Soy Vinaigrette. All side dishes are available for 9 €.
According to Ilkka, the most popular meat dish among restaurant guests is Finnish Beef Fillet, Brussels Sprouts, Forest Mushrooms and Creamy Cognac Sauce (32 €). Served with a portion of fresh green salad.
A glass of red wine from Bordeaux Le Roc Chàteau Puybarbe 2016 (11.40 € glass) is a adds a special accent to the dish.
Desserts at EMO are also distinguished by their modernist style.
But before “turning the page” to sweets, treat yourself with cheese delicacies (three or five types of cheese from EMO selection) with homemade jam and crispy rye crackers.
Cheeses 3/5, Homemade Jam & Rye crackers (12/18 €), perfectly harmonizes with sweet and tangy port wine Dalva Colheita 1997 Port.
Lemon, Salty Liquorice Ice Cream & Meringue (11 €) — liquorice ice cream with lemon mousse, fresh berries and meringue is a kind of Finnish style “Pavlova”.
No less popular Blueberry Sorbet, White Chocolate Parfait & Cereals (12 €).
A glass of champagne Paul Bara Bruit Réserve Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims (18 €) will be the perfect complement to your dinner.
*The restaurant has options suitable for vegetarians and vegans, as well as gluten-free items.
EMO
Address: Kluuvikatu 2, Helsinki
Working hours: Monday – Friday: 11.30-15.00 and 17.00-00.00, Saturday 16.00-00.00. Last time of orders – 22.00
Contacts: +358 (0) 10 50 50 900;
info@emo-ravintola.fi
Editor-in-chief: Patricia Kolari
Technical Director: Evgeny Fedorov
Text writer: Marina Timoshevskaya Photos: EATWEEK
