Segreto — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

Dinner review: Sadly a mixed review for this new Italian place. Overall was a good atmosphere but the service and food weren’t up to scratch. A few changes and it could be great. Wouldn’t recommend for food allergy suffers.

Service: Overall very slow service. Took me a while to be seated and no nice greeting. Whilst I waited for my other guest I wasn’t offered a menu or chance to get a drink, so I just sat there. Waitress that seated me wasn’t very friendly. Tables left dirty around us for most the meal. The second waitress though was really lovely. Sadly there was a serious allergy incident. The restaurant was informed on booking and when ordering of a nut allergy. When my main arrived (pizza) I had to query what the sauce was on top. The chef informed me it was pesto (pine nuts). If I had eaten it I would have ended up in hospital. My waitress and the chef were very apologetic but if I hadn’t asked my night would have been very different. Surprised no goodwill deduction was taken off the bill for this.

Starter: To start we had the garlic bread and crostini misti. Would recommend both. The dip that comes with the garlic bread though didn’t have any flavour.

Mains: Mushroom risotto had mixed reviews. Portion was too big as well. Recommend lowering the portion size and price. Pizza was just okay. Ragu pasta was the best main dish we ordered.

Dessert: My friend loved the tiramisu (10/10). A great interpretation of a classic dish. I also really enjoyed my chocolate tart.

Atmosphere: Really nice atmosphere. Good music. Would come for a drink. Seats have plugs down one side of the room which is very handy....

I approached this restaurant with high hopes. It’s been the talk of social media, and with its convenient location just a block from home, it seemed like a sure thing. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to the buzz.

Starters:

Arancini – A disappointing start. The dish was bland, lacking the flavor and texture you expect from a well-made arancini. Tartar – Oddly enough, it wasn’t raw meat. A confusing twist that left much to be desired. Tuna – A redeeming choice. Fresh and flavorful, it was the highlight of the appetizers.

Mains:

Beef Cheek – Rich and tender, this was a success. The flavors were deep, and it was cooked perfectly. Saffron Risotto – A major letdown. The rice was undercooked, not in an al dente way but raw, leaving the dish watery and tasteless. The saffron was a distant memory, barely noticeable.

Service: Here’s where things took another turn. Plates sat on the table for 25 minutes after the starters, a glaring sign that the restaurant is understaffed. More hands on deck would drastically improve the experience.

For three starters, two mains, three glasses of wine, and one beer, the bill came to 136€, which is reasonable. But honestly, I would have gladly paid 50€ more for a meal with better flavor and...

When we entered, no one greeted or seated us for several minutes. The staff seemed overwhelmed and the restaurant appeared understaffed for the number of guests. There was only one cook in the kitchen trying to keep up with the buffet, which meant most of the food was pre-prepared rather than freshly made.

The brunch was disappointing and didn’t reflect what the à la carte menu seems to represent. The hot dishes were the biggest letdown — overcooked, lukewarm pasta with little flavor, reheated pizza with unmelted cheese, and sausages that didn’t fit the Italian concept at all. It’s a shame, because the place was busy and could have potential.

The highlight was the tiramisu from the dessert buffet. The rest felt random, including a panna cotta-like dessert and even a jar of candy. The salad buffet offered a fair variety but was mediocre overall — the olives were the best part.

Overall, not worth the visit. The photos and reviews online promised a much better experience. I’d rather have a few freshly made, high-quality dishes than a buffet that...