A new restaurant from chef Sylvester Soisalo, restaurateur Matti Wikberg and the Boulevard team has opened at one of the most historic locations in Helsinki on Korkeavuorenkatu 21 — THE GRAND BAR & GRILL, where classics are combined with modern grill skills, and only the essentials are put on the plate.
The building where the restaurant is located was built in 1889 and is one of the most magnificent neo-Renaissance buildings in Helsinki, with the prestigious name Grand Residence 21, which supported the idea behind the name THE GRAND.
Grand Residence 21 keeps interesting facts — for many years it was home to the Russian secret police, Marshal Mannerheim’s office and the Ministry of Defence.
The history of the building is also reflected in the restaurant’s grand interior with its artwork on the walls and snowy white tablecloths.
Inside, there is an atmosphere of spontaneity that invites you to immerse yourself in the warmth of the grill, where you can have a cocktail with a quick bite or leisurely savour classic dishes with deep and bold flavours.
The restaurant’s menu is impressive in its variety: individual starters and appetiser plates, main courses, “on the grill”, desserts.
The main accent in THE GRAND BAR & GRILL is made on meat, as evidenced by the special meat section of the menu, which features beef cuts cooked on open fire. The big oven which you can observe in the bar area is an integral part of the concept.
The restaurant’s philosophy is to offer meat gourmets the best alternative in the form of more sustainable, high-quality local meat. The steaks are served with a choice of gourmet sauces and side dishes, which accentuate and complement the flavour palette.
According to Sylvester Soisalo, the restaurant does not rely on the cuisine or style of any particular country. It prepares delicious food, taking inspiration from different parts of the world, using available ingredients and the personal preferences of the chefs.
We start with the so-called “historical” appetiser, which can be complemented by a selection of slightly smoked olives and a bread basket:
-PICKLES À LA NICOLAI (8€) — Pickled cucumber, smetana and honey
-MIXED OLIVES (6€)
-SOURDOUGH BREAD WITH BUTTER (5€)
Although the main focus is on meat dishes, the menu also features seafood, fish and vegetarian dishes.
-OYSTERS (3 pcs 18€/ 6 pcs 31€/ 12 pcs 61€), served on ice bed with spicy sauce
As an aperitif cocktail to Oysters, whether Martini, Gimlet or Vesper — any of those makes an ideal pair.
GIMLET (16€)
Readers Gin, Lime, Cucumber-Citrus Cordial
-ENDIVES (15€)
Endive salad with walnuts, pear & goat cheese
-CRUDO (18€)
Cured white fish with blood orange, olive oil and sumac
The Wine list offers a large selection of both old classic wines and new wines of the world, as well as special “Wine of the Day”, available by glass one evening only.
Soup lovers will find this dish a real treat:
-PAUL’S ONION SOUP (22€)
Caramelized onion soup and oxtail encrusted with puff pastry (Homage Paul Bocusé)
And, of course, the thing that many people strive to get here for is the superbly succulent Finnish beef cooked over fire.
Choosing 30 DAY DRY AGED T-BONE STEAK for 2 (100g / 16€) and adding different sauces and sides, we weren’t wrong — the taste exceeded our expectations.
SAUCES (each 6€)
-Classic Bearnaise
Butter, cayenne pepper and tarragon -Stilton Bearnaise
Bearnaise sauce with English blue cheese
-Sauce Hemingway
Whiskey & peppercorn sauce
-Chimichurri
Coriander, parsley, garlic & olive oil Classic
SIDES (each 6€)
-French fries
-Green salad
-Stout dipped onion rings
-Avocado vinaigrette
If it’s difficult to choose one or another dish, the restaurant team has taken care of it by developing special complex menus.
The Grand Bar & Grill
Address: Korkeavuorenkatu 21
00130 Helsinki
Open hours:
Tue–Thu 16.30–23
Fri–Sat 16.30–00
(Kitchen is open for new orders until 22)
Instagram: @thegrand_helsinki
