Kiin Kiin, Copenhagen

As we are quite fond of Thai food this for sure was an evening we were looking forward too. As Kiin Kin is a one Michelin star restaurant, you don't just turn up at the door and expect to get a table, it demands a bit of planning to get that table. After a two month wait, of which I actually knew nothing about (quite a nice surprise one might say) our night of oriental intrigue had come. We had heard some promising experiences from friends, who had eaten at the restaurant, so we were quite excited about what was to come.

Upon arriving at Kiin Kiin we were promptly made welcome and taken to a comfortable lounge area on the ground floor, where all customers are taken and where the starters are served. After a brief review of the set menu we decided to not go for the wine pairing this time but to pick a bottle of wine that would best go with the Thai spices. It must be said that the several appetizers, served to us were of excellent quality and of immense taste.

After enjoying the appetizers we were taken to our table, which was situated in the basement of the restaurant. Obviously you need to book even further ahead to get a table in the main part of the restaurant, which is on the first floor. The lighting is pretty poor in the basement and therefore the quality of the pictures not of very good quality. 

The Menu

Soup based on Galanga & Prawns served with Prawn Cakes & D.I.Y. Noodles 

Grilled Green Asparagus with Sweet Miso & Ginger

Postcard from Tokyo 
Salad with Cucumber Halibut & Spicy Marinade

Kiin Kiin Red Curry & White Asparagus
Sweet Breads with Tamarin & Peanuts
Braised Beef in Oyster Sauce with Thai Ginger

Basically an extremely salty fish stock into which you squeeze the 'D.I.Y.' noodle mixture, using an almost cumbersome plastic syringe provided. The soup was to be eaten without a spoon like a Miso soup. It would appear that the appetizers had built up quite high expectations of what was to come.

The Postcard from Tokyo. According to the menu this dish should have came third in line. The dish had a quite typical Thai look to it with plenty of colours and of course an immense amount of spice. The 'poached' egg was cracked open by the waiter at the table, which added some extra excitement. Quite a pleasant serving.

Grilled Green Asparagus with Sweet Miso & Ginger. Starting to feel the spices kicking in already!

Only halfway through the menu and as mentioned, starting to feel the 'pain' from the amount of sweet spices. On that note we were served up the 'Salad with Cucumber Halibut & Spicy Marinade'. A dish comprising of Candy Floss on top of which an assortment of fish, nuts and 'salad'. An extraordinarily sweet dish. A bit like eating a bowl of candy.

Kiin Kiin Red Curry & White Asparagus: This dish was served up both hot and cold. The cold curry was served up by the waiter at the table by pouring the frozen curry sauce onto the hot plate making a smoking effect that was quite entertaining. Otherwise the dish itself was very tasty. 

Sweet Breads with Tamarin & Peanuts

Last but not least the main dish of the evening, the Braised Beef in Oyster Sauce with Thai Ginger. A succulent piece of meat surrounded by another 'bomb' of spices.  

Desserts

Koh Samui Rhubarb & Passion Fruit 

Banana Cake with Salted Ice Cream

Summary

Considering Kiin Kiin is a one star Michelin restaurant and starters aside, which were exceptional, the experience was quite disappointing. It seemed like it was just one way too spicy dish after another! Unfortunately we were placed in the basement part of the restaurant where ceiling was very low and the lighting quite dull. This obviously did in its own way 'dull' the feeling of the evening. The service was very friendly and the owner/chef made an effort to bring at least one dish to the table herself, which was a nice touch. This however did not improve our culinary experience. For some reason each and every dish was served on a different plate/dish, which was somewhat surprising. Cutting a long story short I think we can safely say that we most definitely will not be booking a table at Kiin Kiin in the very near future.

Finnjävel, Helsinki

FINNJÄVEL: A PROFOUNDLY FINNISH RESTAURANT

Without going into too many details Finnjävel, literally means Finnish 'devil' (slightly stronger word however!), The word was used by the Swedes in the 1950’s and 1960’s and referred to those Finns that mass-migrated to Sweden in search of a better life. As the Finns have this thing called 'SISU' and don't lay down without a fight they in turn came up with an 'appropriate' name for the Swedes: HURRI.

In addition to using Finnish ingredients, the restaurant uses very old Finnish cooking methods creating, in their own words 'the future of Finnish cuisine'.

Our evening was a birthday celebration and with that, to our great surprise, we were placed at the best table in the house, which was absolutely fantastic. After settling at the table we ordered, but of course, G&T's made with the Finnish world class Napue gin (it's a good one!). There are two choices of menu at Finnjävel, with either 7 or 10 courses. We decided to go for the 7 course menu with the Matching wines.

Compliments of the Kitchen

Before we were served the first course from the 7 course menu we were presented with 'Compliments of the kitchen': A cold Nettle soup with Whey along with a delicate taster platter consisting of Beef tartar and cabbage, Chicken liver pate and Potato and trout. Quite simple but amazingly tasty little appetisers with the Beef tartar especially being a particular favourite amongst us.  

Seven Course Menu

Dishes

Milk-base soup of summer vegetables (Kesäkeitto)

Smoked white fish, new potatoes (Savukalaa & Siikliä)

Pork belly roll, potato tapioca with apple vinaigrette & forest mushrooms 
(Rullasyltty mallasporsaasta)

Delicacies from Finnjävel's own dairy (Finnjävelin meijeri)
Carelian pirog (Karjalanpiirakka)
Braised veal, dill, cauliflowers (Tilliliha)
Strawberries, rhubarb, yogurt mousse (Suvivirsi)

Kesäkeitto in Finnish, which literally translates to Summer Soup. Not a big favorite in the past as it was, by all accounts, served at schools across the country to children who took a clear dislike to it. Finnjävel however have done an amazing job of totally bringing this 'dish of the past' back to life. With very al dente vegetables and a beautifully balanced stock this was truly a great starter.

White fish with new potatoes, which became a true winner with everyone. How can a small piece of fish and a potato taste so good? The fish was cooked to perfection, the potato nicely al dente and the creamy, dilly sauce brought the whole dish together.

Thinly sliced pork belly roll, potato tapioca with apple vinaigrette & forest mushrooms. Another fantastic dish from the kitchen. If we would have been sitting in at more secluded table we would have probably all been licking our plates by now!

Delicacies from Finnjävel's own dairy.
Perfectly backed bread accompanied by Finnjävel's home made butter. 

Carelian pirog or Karjalanpiirakka as a Finnish local would know it. In it's true (original) form it looks something completely different. Finnjävel have again created an outstanding dish. A transformation from pie to a fine dining dish of succulency.

The main dish! Another blast from the past that many a Finn would like to forget. Probably one of the most disliked dishes in Finland. Therefore Finnjävel take on quite a challenge with this one. The presentation was once again excellent, Unfortunately the final product was a slightly bland, wanting for something. Possibly a smathering of cranberry sauce perhaps.. just a thought.

Finally the creme de la creme: 

Strawberries, rhubarb, yogurt mousse. A perfect way to end the evening. Not too much, not too sweet, just right.

Summary

Once again the night was a brilliant one, certainly one to remember. A wonderful time with wonderful people eating wonderful food at a new and totally innovative new restaurant. Finnjävel have not only created something original albeit serving up food the Finns have been eating for centuries but they have brought a refreshing new and modern way of cooking 'simple' Finnish food. Food aside, Finnjävel have also created a fantastic atmosphere in their restaurant using some quite outstanding Finnish design to it's best. Everywhere it can been seen, from the knives and forks to the wine glassed that have been especially designed for the restaurant to the miniature figures placed on the tables. But if you are thinking of booking a table, be quick as the restaurant is only open for 2 years.