8/18/13-9/1/13: Helsinki, Finland
Flew from Bolivia, started from Milano on 5/25/13.... the end of European journey, Helsinki, Finland!! This was my 2nd time, I came to Helsinki. According to my record, I came to Helsinki on October'10. I staged Chez Dominique for 1 wk. Helsinki is a great city, it's modern, perfect size, people speak english, women are beautiful (excuse me) and one of best METAL CAPITAL in the world. I know this is blog about restaurant P.S.I., but made by one & only CULINARY METAL VAGABOND, so I can't help myself but note this. ...... ANYWAY despit it's super expensive, I really love Helsinki in general.... but actually I never been here during winter ........ well, let's carry on.
Originally I was planning to stay in Helsinki for a week, then go to Stockholm for week. But unfortunately I didn't get positive feedback from Stockholm, so I decided to stay only in Helsinki. 2 wks in Helsinki turn out best time in Europen trip! My first day was restaurant week and there were many food stands throughout the city. Then there was 3 days event called "delicacies of Finland" There're beer booth, food stands, farmers, cheese, many samples to look up local produces and goodies.... you could see some pictures from the event above.
But the highlight of my time in Helsinki is I staged 5 restaurants in 2wks!! I have staged Spis & Chef&sommelier for a day, then Olo, Luomo & pure bistro for 2 days each. This is how CJWDT should be!! I had truly inspiring 2 wks in Helsinki. The only regret would be... I couldn't sing my 'Live on a prayer' when I went to Karaoke with Luomo guys. / a bitter smile If I try to write about each stage experience, it gonna be too long. So... this time I'm gonna post 5 new dish ideas I got from my Helsinki day! Petit Mergination & inspriation!!
Dish title: Inspiration on FCTV (Flavor/Concept/Title/Visual)
Silverflame: Not certain at this point / Making SHINY silver puree utilizing food oxidizing, acid reaction & emulsion with oil / From the song of Danish HR band, Dizzy mizz lizzy / as the title said, 'sleazy' is the keyword
Splash!!: Many possibilities, but start with mushroom & spinach / Use 'splash' plating technique I learned from Spis / Simple straight forward / the direction of Black & white, Justion Pollock-ish
Fire dance: Carrot, ginger, pineapple & orange / Small refresher course / From Tallinn(Pic on previous post) / curtain of graduation from orange to yellow
Pink scarf: Rhubarb, plum & honey / Light as feather, gently sweet & airy sour / Pink pig, pink zebra, pink spiral, any title with pink, make me creative... Not inspired by Paris Hilton.... / Inspired by chocolate dessert at Pure bistro
Autumn twirl: Whisper of autumn, earthy, warm n' tasty / Spot on lotus root, natural flavor/shape/crunchiness / Can you see/hear/feel? / Inspired by one of the dish on Olo with edible moss.
BIG THANKS LIST!! >>
Mr.Kinanen & the rest of Spis team / Chef Laukkonen & the rest of Chef & sommelier team / Chef Nurminen & the rest of Olo team / Chef Toivanen & big family of Luomo & Pure bistro
Thank you for having me for stage! It was truly learning & inspiring experience for me. I hope we'll meet again somewhere around the globe..... Kiitoksia Paljon!!!
Restaurants in Helsinki:
Helsinki culinary web links:
http://csforum2013.com/?p=388http://dinnersout.wordpress.com/category/finland/ Stockholm restaurants:
http://f12.se/
http://www.mathiasdahlgren.
http://www.restaurantfrantzen.
http://www.mistral.nu/en/
http://www.gastrologik.se/
http://www.restaurangjonas.se/
http://www.
http://luxstockholm.com/en/
http://www.restaurangvolt.se/
http://www.kockvin.se/
http://live.gluteus.se/
http://proviant.se/in-english
http://www.bhoga.se/en/
http://www.mathiasdahlgren.
http://www.restaurantfrantzen.
http://www.mistral.nu/en/
http://www.gastrologik.se/
http://www.restaurangjonas.se/
http://www.
http://luxstockholm.com/en/
http://www.restaurangvolt.se/
http://www.kockvin.se/
http://live.gluteus.se/
http://proviant.se/in-english
http://www.bhoga.se/en/
Stockholm web links:
http://www.departures.com/
Since I did research on Stockholm, I put the links I got for my record & future references for culinary nomads! Now Europe is finito, but just first sequel of CJWDT'13 Euphoriania grand tour..... time for Asia towards Oceania!!! Helsini > Moscow(just for transition) >.... total of 11hrs-ish flight... 17th stop Shanghai, China, NEXT!!!!!!!!
PS*: this is little tip for future culinary nomads since I made a mistake on this European tour. For US citizen we can stay in EU union up to 90 days in 180days. And I thought the counting is 24hrs unit, but I was WRONG. Even 1 mins if you stay on the day, it is counted as 1 day, that's Finnish immigration told me. So for example, if you arrive EU union countries from somewhere at 11:58pm, even you just stay 2 mins on the day, it is STILL counted as one day. I didn't know this.
So when I tried to leave Helsinki, I got caught on the immigration(AGAIN) and they told me I spent 94days in EU union. Well, eventually they let me go as 'common mistake', but... thought I gotta pay shit load of penalty or something... So watch out on this, fellow nomads!!! Actually I heard this rule applied internationally. 3/7/15 days no visa in Asia, Russia, S.America or wherever, it gonna run in same manner. That's all, little tips from 'certificated professional backpacker' Culinary metal vagabond! Bon Voyage, catch me if you can!!!!!