First bite in Helsinki! At HARALD restaurant
đ First Meal in Helsinki: Viking Vibes at Harald Restaurant (with a Side of Smoky Surprises!) Touching down in Helsinki yesterday, jet-lag hit hardâbut a random stumble on Harald Restaurant turned into a wild culinary adventure. This place bills itself as a Viking-themed eatery, complete with traditional folk music and decor that makes you feel like youâre feasting in a longhouse. Hereâs the lowdown on our impulsive order: đĄď¸ The Viking Kingâs Set Menu (âŹ140 for Two: Oof) We skipped menu research and went all-in on the kingâs feastâ3 courses of what we thought was "classic Viking grub." Spoiler: Some hits, some major misses. đ Starters: Bread, Shrimp, and... Pickled Herring Trauma Bread & Dips: Warm rye bread with herb butterâgone in 60 seconds. Shrimp Salad: Fresh, zesty, no complaints. Mystery Cured Meat: Tasted like venison, rich and savory. Pickled Herring: The stuff of Nordic nightmares. All pickled things here taste like liquid vinegar đˇ. One bite had me gaggingâhard pass. đž Mains: Reindeer, Moose, and Sausage Galore Grilled Reindeer & Moose: Tender, slightly gamey, but seasoned well. Think beef with a foresty twist. Chicken Breast & Smoked Sausage: Safe choices, juicy and satisfying. Sides: Crispy fried potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, stewed carrotsâall solid, carb-heavy comfort food đ. Pro Tip: Skip the set menu and order mains a la carte! Way more bang for your buck. đ¨ Desserts: Smoke Overload (Literally) Smoked Ice Creams: Three flavors, all infused with that "Viking campfire" smoke. Imagine eating ice cream that tastes like youâre licking a fireplace đ. Fennel Jam & Pine Cream: Sweet-salty fennel spread with pine-scented (smoked) creamâtoo weird for words. Chocolate Cake & Pancakes: The only saving graces. Moist cake, fluffy pancakes, classic and unsmoked đŤ. Regret: So much food wasted! Next time, read the menu carefully. đ Final Thoughts: Viking Aesthetic > Viking Flavors Vibe: 10/10. Horn mugs, wooden beams, live musicâtotal Instagram fodder. Food: 5/10. Stick to grilled meats and skip anything pickled or smoked (unless youâre into campfire-flavored desserts). Lesson Learned: Never order a mystery set menu when jet-lagged! #HelsinkiEats #VikingCuisine #TravelFoodFails