Bistro O mat Hakaniemi — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

We came for a weekend lunch without a reservation and a table at the terrace was the only option. The day was bright with a little sun but windy so we were still optimistic to sit outside.

The service was prompt and we waited a little while for our orders. The lunch menu changes weekly and for this visit we had-

🔸️ Fluffy pea soup with, crispy leek, croutons and olive oil ⭐⭐ The soup seemed to have good flavors but as the serving was small and came on a soup plate, it turned icy in no time.

🔸️ Crisp fried vendances, mashed potatoes, pickled cucumbers and tartar sauce ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My partner enjoyed this dish of fried small fish thoroughly. The fish was fresh, plump and crisp.

🔸️Complimentary salad and bread ⭐⭐⭐ Free flow. There were 3 different salads, baguette, dark rye and gluten-free bread.

I would think twice about lunching on the terrace on a cold, windy day. The views are good but it's hard to enjoy the food let alone the views. This restaurant could consider installing some infrared heaters at the terrace so customers can dine more comfortably despite the weather. Alternatively, book a table inside where it is more crowded and noisy but...

Had a dinner in this nice place 21.10., views are great and the terrace definitely something to try out in the summer. Service was amazing, this was the highlight of the dinner. Decor was very classy and fresh but acoustics were not designed as the place was very noisy. Starters were named after the ”key” ingredients, although these ingredients were hardly present - e.g. the calamari dish had just a few thin slices of calamari in it. Mains were basically just the protein with a swirl of sauce accompanied by the side dish we ordered, fries with aioli. The fries were dry and portions were tiny, felt like the chef was stuck on saving mode. Quality, quantity and price did not meet - we left home hungry and slightly...

I visited the restaurant with high expectations, but unfortunately, my experience fell short. Despite having a reservation for two hours, we ended up staying for three due to delays in service. The appetizers were promising, but the main courses took an hour to arrive, and when they did, they were either cold or partially raw. The service lacked proactiveness, as we had to inquire about the delays ourselves. While some dishes were delightful, they weren’t enough to compensate for the overall issues. Considering the price and food quality, I wouldn’t want to waste my...