Brasserie Kämp — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

I used to visit Kämp regularly for breakfast at the weekends until something strange happened. I had always noticed a strange vibe to the service there (lacking friendliness and very hit & miss) but on this occasion it went south quite rapidly. Instead of the usual choice, I fancied a change so I asked our waiter what size the skagen toast portion was. He said “It’s skagen toast. The normal size.” So, being a Brit, I have limited experience of skagen toast and have seen it in various sizes but wasn’t aware of some standard size. I ask him, gesturing with my hands, approximately how big it is? He repeats “It’s skagen toast!” This time he’s visibly angry. I explain that I realise it is a skagen toast but I’m wondering if it’s enough for a light snack. At this stage he loses his cool and starts getting really angry with me, to the point that he’s red in the face and shaking. My husband, who has already ordered a burger, is kinda shocked. I’m left too embarrassed to eat or even want to be there. I’ve never been back and I wouldn’t even consider it.

The main issue here is that unless you’re massively overdressed and a theatrical braggart, you very likely run the risk of this behaviour in Kämp. It’s snobbery of the worst kind; one that alienates genuinely good customers & encourages the worst. Kämp would never survive in another city but in Helsinki there simply isn’t the competition to shine a spotlight on how unacceptable that kind of service is. Leave Kämp to the Far-Eastern tourists and day trippers from the backwaters of Finland. If you have a taste for the finer things, Hotel Lilla Roberts might be...

Joined the Sunday Brunch, October 6. Food offerings from cold cuts to the soup was good and tasty. Hot dishes veal and fish were well prepared, but sauces were on both dishes were seasoned with salt with a heavy hand. What surprised us was the undisciplined behavior and lack of fundamental service etiquette from the service staff. On several occasions we heard loud noises from the kitchen and service areas created by the movement of equipment, and loud discussion between staff. Not to mention the crooning from the kitchen. Sign of good service is the service staff have good sense of timing to clear empty plates from a table, now they mostly walking aimlessly around hoping that guest will waive when they need attention. Clearing of plates was like directly “Don’t Do” list . While I was eating main course one of the staff cleared a plate located on my left by reaching from the right crossing my face. This may seem petty but are the fundamentals of a good restaurant service. I felt clearly there was no leadership in the restaurant looking after the freelancer that had been hired for the day. We have been coming several times and only recognized one waiter...

What a mediocre experience it was! For the 45 euros asked, better go get yourself the fanciest cake form the fanciest bakery and have an afternoon tea party in the park across the road.

Afternoon tea: I have never had such a distastefully arranged menu. Savory parts were quite good. But when it came down to ‘dessert’... Overwhelmingly sweet and simply boring. Are a macaron and a white-chocolate-jam-diabetes lollipop the best an expensive well-known restaurant can come up with? The menu was unbalanced, I couldn’t finish the sweets. And I have a sweet tooth!

Great selection of teas!

The tea was served in the veranda area, which is not heated while summer in Finland is yet to come. Opened from both sides doors anticipated a stiff breeze. Seated in the shadow, it felt like we were not welcomed to stay there long. Tables on the veranda were small, and it was hard to navigate through the tier stand, cups, plates, vases and pots, all scattered on the poor joined in despair tables.

Service was friendly, although didn’t speak a...