We had an amazing Christmas dinner at a beautiful restaurant in Saariselka in Finnish Lapland. The restaurant was called Siberia. We asked the owner why he chose the name. He told us a group of friends pulled a letter each from a bowl and the restaurant would be named whatever came out…Siberia.
We made our way through the snow to Siberia.
The restaurant is very elegant and includes a cafe for delicious cake and coffee and a small shop selling Finnish designs.
…and now to the food.
Amuse bouche…duck confit and brioche.
Course 1…Duck liver brûlée with apple compote.
Course 2…Sugar salted trout from Lake Inari with chive puree and lemon gel.
Course 3…White fish from Lake Inari with blanched vegetables, cauliflower puree and vanilla beurre blanc.
Course 4…King crab soup.
Course 5…Reindeer fillet with potatoes pont neuf, chanterelles, parsnip puree and port wine sauce.
Pre dessert taste.
Course 6…Dark chocolate cake with white chocolate sorbet with blueberries.
Course 7…Cheeses with honeydew,watermelon and vanilla tomato compote.
All courses were delicious, I couldn’t pick a favourite. It was a great night, the service was friendly and efficient and the owner, Juha Mehtajarvi, made a few visits to the table to tell us about the food. His philosophy is…use free roaming meat and only wild fish, ingredients must be local and as fresh as possible and each dish must be stylishly presented. He kindly posed for a photo with us. He is second from the left.
I know it is a long way to go for dinner, but if you happen to be in the area, drop in to Siberia for a treat.
Superb!
By: mulino dominillo on March 18, 2014
at 6:13 pm
It was excellent.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:17 am
This is an interesting way of picking names.
By: ranu802 on March 18, 2014
at 7:29 pm
I forgot to say there were bottles of vodka involved.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:18 am
Now that’s an unusual way to name a restaurant, but, gosh, that food looks AMAZING! Yummy!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on March 18, 2014
at 8:46 pm
The naming thing could have gone very badly.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:20 am
Oh, my. The food is a treat for the eyes and the palate. And that place looks amazing.
By: Eagle-Eyed Editor on March 18, 2014
at 8:46 pm
I think the owner has achieved what he wanted with the restaurant.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:21 am
Food looks good!
By: LuccaHorseriding on March 18, 2014
at 8:47 pm
Everything was delicious.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:22 am
Lake Trout, white fish, crab and then those wonderful desserts, looks a very memorable dinner and yes you will always remember that name -in Lapland Lovely
By: Dianne Cant on March 18, 2014
at 9:02 pm
I would love to go back one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:23 am
So beautifully presented and it sounds delicious. What an amazing place in which to have a restaurant.
By: Jan on March 18, 2014
at 9:24 pm
A bit far to go, but worth it.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:24 am
Awesome ! The next time I’m in Finland ( haven’t been yet) , I’m going to “Siberia” .
By: Richard the terrible on March 18, 2014
at 11:14 pm
I think you should go to Lapland…take your coat.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:26 am
Aahh the memories, just wish it wasnt so far away for a return visit.. Must mention that there were 2 bottles of Vodka involved in the name choise event!
By: Kirsi sade on March 18, 2014
at 11:21 pm
Yes, it is a long way from Brisbane, but I would like to go back one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:27 am
Unforgettable! Have you booked a table for next Christmas? 😉
By: janinevasta on March 19, 2014
at 2:58 am
Tha sounds like a good idea.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:28 am
This is food art! Each dish is creatively displayed. What fun!!
By: timelessitaly on March 19, 2014
at 4:00 am
It looked too good to eat, but we did.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 19, 2014
at 5:29 am
What lovely delights and the presentation looks very nice.
By: Jim & Kerry on March 19, 2014
at 10:22 am
It was a great meal…pity it is so far to go back.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 20, 2014
at 5:47 am
The food looks gorgeous! So hungry now.. And just the way I like it: small portions and local produce
By: Catherine on March 19, 2014
at 11:18 am
I like to know where my food comes from, if possible.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 20, 2014
at 5:49 am
I salivated looking at all the food! Such works of art in the presentation of each course. Great to see all was produced locally.
By: Sandra Hoopmann on March 20, 2014
at 1:15 am
Everything was beautifully presented, and it tasted great.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 20, 2014
at 5:50 am
I still hold marvellous memories of the delicious food we had in ethic Finn food in Helsinki. Can well imagine the food in Siberia was just as delicious as you said. That’s one of the beauties of travel …. tasting wonderful food!
By: Sandra Hoopmann on March 20, 2014
at 1:38 pm
Eating in new places is all part if the adventure.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 20, 2014
at 4:55 pm
It’s the same way I travel whenever I go back to the Philippines – writing down destinations and picking one or two by chance.
By: rommel on March 22, 2014
at 12:22 am
Trying local food is one of the best things about travelling.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 22, 2014
at 8:44 am
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at 6:12 am