Laanilan Kievari — Restaurant in undefined

If you’re in the area this is a must go! As soon as we walked in the door we knew we hot a gem. We were greeted with kindness and welcomed as if we were home. The cozy restaurant has a small table in front of an open fire where we enjoyed very delicious cocktails until our appetizers came out. The food was OUTSTANDING. We had mushroom soup and cured reindeer meat served with tomatoes prepared 3 different ways. Both delicious!! Then our main courses: pan seared mallard and reindeer tenderloin. Both cooked to perfection. The chef came out to greet us and was a joy to speak with and learn more about the food and preparations. Don’t skip dessert and ask about their special hot cocktails which are also delicious. They are only open. Short while longer and then will close until the season picks up. If you are in town…definitely go visit. You will not be disappointed. We loved it so much, we are actually going back tomorrow to enjoy some dishes we missed.

The service is outstanding. Cute and cozy atmosphere. ...

Have you ever wondered what the Lenbas bread in Lord of the rigns tastes like?

Well, let me tell you: If the elves ever would decide to make food - it would be a lot like the food in Laanilan Kievari.

Had this amazing arctic char gazpacho as a stater paired with a colorful reisling. (The first wine I wanted was still in transit so the host recommended an alternative that was spot on). This was followed by a hunters pie paired with a generic red that I never really got to know.... Let me tell you, in school I hated three foods - potato porrage, cabbage cassarole and hunters pie.... But this, this was completely different. It actually had texture and taste. Good stuff!!!

But, the food of the elves.. The dessert, the snowball. Let me tell you.. AMAZING!!!! The host paired with this dessert wine(?)/drink that had a crude lump of ice in it. The result was simply astounding...

So, if you're up for some good eating.. Head to Laanilan Kievari 5/5 on...

We asked our hotel to book the restaurant for us for 9pm but we were told that we had to get here by 8:30pm since their kitchen closes at 9:30pm. We arrived at 8:30pm, and along with another couple who also had a reservation, WAITED FOR ONE HOUR before we were seated. Yes, one hour. If they don't accept reservations then I'd rather they tell people upfront instead of conning people to go there then keep them waiting for one full hour. After we were finally seated, the main course was another ONE HOUR of waiting time. A big party next to us also complained about the wait since apparently the chef burnt their dessert and had to remake it. We spent 2.5 hours there - so long that our car windows had frosted over and we had to scrape it again. Overall POOR TIME MANAGEMENT and frankly mediocre food and definitely not worth the wait. Highly recommend everyone to AVOID wasting time here. No idea how they got all these TripAdvisor awards... definitely...