I knew Chef Walter from when he was head chef at the Officer's Club in Tikkakoski. Walter could…read moretake the very modest ingredients provided him by the Finnish Air Force and create a superb lunch which was often the high point of an otherwise grueling day of meetings. The day he left for greener pastures was a sad one indeed and lamented by all who came to love his food.
So it turns out this restaurant is his greener pasture! I really was happy to find that he had opened his own place in (I believe) the old VR station. All of his former customers from Tikkakoski now patronize this establishment, and not because we are a charitable bunch. It's because we know we will be served top notch food by an Austrian-trained chef.
The last time I was there I brought an American coworker of Austrian heritage who had never visited Austria. Walter absolutely doted on him, creating a menu specifically to highlight Austrian cuisine and serving it personally. My coworker was floored and proclaimed it the best meal he had ever eaten.
Of course the menu features Austrian classics such as Wiener Schnitzel, but Walter also tailors his menu to the Finnish palate and what is locally available. Yes, we're talking Reindeer Schnitzel! Mushrooms, finfish, and shellfish are well represented on the menu, as are superb Italian specialties. In fact, his Italian dishes are notable. I'm wondering what he could do with a wood fired brick pizza oven. He offers prix fixe menus in Traditional (best described as French continental), Finnish, Austrian, and Vegetarian themes, along with wine pairings. My only problem with the prix fixe is that inevitably I will see something on the a la carte or specials menu that I prefer and mess up the whole fixed menu concept. The price of being a trailblazer.
In summary, this is a rare opportunity not to be passed up. I guarantee you will be served superb foods with a hearty smile.
