Helsinki Times

Ups and downs at Maya

Offering tastes of Latin America in the heart of the city.

HAVING walked past Maya Bar and Grill on countless occasions, it is with great curiosity that I step indoors on a Monday afternoon to observe the restaurant’s interior. It’s cosy, but has enough table space to comfortably seat 80 inside, with space for a further 40 outside on the terrace during the warmer months. I am immediately greeted by the sound of panpipes as I am shown to a table next to a window overlooking Rautatientori. In operation for nine years, the restaurant continues to serve Latin American tastes to a loyal following, with a packed house almost guaranteed over the weekends.

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Popping up like mushrooms

Aspiring restaurateurs have another chance to fulfill their dreams for a day this Saturday.

The next Ravintolapäivä, or Restaurant Day, will be held this Saturday 19 May and there will be pop-up restaurants opening their stalls all over Helsinki and other cities worldwide. From locations such as shoe stores to parks and backyards to kitchens – there are numerous ways to go about it. This time there will also be a Multi-Ethnic Food Market at Kalasatama.

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The elegance that is asparagus

Spring is the season for this lordly vegetable.

THERE is something almost noble about the way asparagus presents itself to be harvested. It stands straight and tall and grows completely independently of its brothers and sisters. Each plant is picked on its own. When eaten, the elegance with which it grows is reflected on the palate. The flavour is subtle, fresh and unique.

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Old stomping ground, new concept

Adams Club and Restaurant has always been a Helsinki gem for those ‘in the know’, but now they have revamped this classic haunt and have opened the doors to new customer and old.

RUMOUR has it that the old Adams has opened up again: you know, the one on the corner of Ludviginkatu and Erottaja. “Huh?” you might ask. Not many people know this place as Adams – some may recognise it as a movie theatre from yesteryear, and more recently a musical theatre where the likes of Helena Lindgren have performed. But now it has put on a new coat and flung its doors open to the public as a restaurant and nightclub.

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A world of cuisine

Haute cuisine and fast rides at Linnanmäki mean the adults can be amused, too.

SO you thought you were going to any old amusement park? Linnanmäki is showing us what a stylish and trendy place it can be. The new experience is called Kattila, or Cuisine World, and it’s at Lintsi, believe it or not. The launch, last Saturday 21 April, was a great success – coinciding with the park’s opening for the summer season.

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Vappu – a survivor’s story

So it’s vappu, 1 May, and you’ve arranged to meet some Finnish friends in Kaivopuisto park at 10 am – although on a regular bank holiday morning you’d still be in bed. Something still feels wrong inside your slightly hungover head. Time to check your vappu survival kit.

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Top job at Tom Jam

An unpretentious but tasty Thai lunch option.

THAI food has become ever more popular in Finland in recent years. This is due, in part, to Thailand being one of the top destinations for Finns holidaying outside Europe, but also because the quality of Thai food here has got so much better in the past few years.

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Fasting, fertility and mämmi

Easter provides an occasion for many traditional foods, as a legacy of the time when it marked the end of forty days of austerity concerning matters of the palate.

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and the events leading to the feast. As befits the commemoration of crucifixion and death, it has always been a sombre occasion, with Good Friday being the harshest day of fasting. By tradition, only cold leftovers from the previous day could be eaten on Good Friday, and even then only after sunset.

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Red, round and robust

Early spring brings us a selection of muscular fruits of the vine.

THE BENEFITS of drinking red wine in moderate quantities are well known and much discussed. Delving a little deeper into the subject, the Mayo Clinic site is one of the more reliable sources, and suggests that antioxidants called polyphenols in wine protect the blood vessels surrounding the heart. One in particular, resveratrol, is getting a lot of attention. Studies show that it prevents against obesity and diabetes, both strong risk factors for heart disease. There also seems to be a link to reduction of inflammation and blood clotting, which are related to the same. Having said all that, there are few pleasures that can bring you as much relaxation and satisfaction as a decent glass of the red stuff. Checking out the statistics, it seems that most Finns agree. In the first few months of 2012, it clearly is the drink of choice and surpasses even beer and strong spirits consumption by a large margin. Hence the huge selection and variety available at Alko these days.

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F for Fafa’s

Serving your fast food fresh.

Standing in Fafa’s on a Wednesday afternoon, I immediately sense that something is not right. The lighting inside the Punavuori eatery is moody – perhaps a little too much so. A handful of customers wait patiently for their gas-cooked meals to be prepared – but shouldn’t falafels normally be deep-fried? A candle burns in the kitchen, yet the air is not romantic as the two cooks scurry about in haste. Soon it becomes apparent that there has been a power cut. Yet people are still willing to wait, it seems, for a taste of freshly made falafel.

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