2_9_ScanMag_74_March_2015_Text_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 09/03/2015 23:18 Page 91
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland
which prides itself on its highly democratic values. It is refreshingly unpretentious, a bit like the Finns themselves. “The customers leave their title with the doorman” the restaurant literature tells us. In other words, every customer is treated with equal amounts of friendly and polite service. Location, location, location The location of the restaurant cannot be emphasised enough, as it is indeed quite splendid. The building is in fact a Jugend castle and quite a setting for the legendary establishment. During the warmer months guests are able to enjoy the restaurant terrace as well. “The terrace comes with guaranteed sunlight all day, as long as the sun is out that is,” Korpela says. In addition to its devoted Finnish clientele, the restaurant also attracts tourists who are looking to experience something typically Finnish while surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery that Helsinki has to offer. Korpela explains that Japanese tourists have become a permanent fixture at the restaurant, lapping up the quintessential Finnish atmosphere and food. This is a welcome development.
“In the future, I would like to see further venturing beyond national borders,” Korpela adds. A place of legends The clientele ranges from students to artists and ministers – not to mention quite a few celebrities. In fact, the restaurant has hosted some pretty impressive historical figures, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, novelist Pablo Neruda and worldrenowned trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie to name a few. One of the first things that catches the eye upon entering the restaurant is a sign indicating that photography should be avoided. This is due to the restaurant wanting to preserve a more traditional atmosphere, but also because of the celebrity guests who frequent the restaurant. Sea Horse wants to offer a place of discretion. The second thing that catches one’s eye is the beautiful painting depicting sea horses swimming amongst waves on the restaurant’s wall. These were painted at night time by two art students, although there are stories about a penniless artist who repaid his debt by painting them, and it has even been suggested that the janitor of the Ateneum art museum created the painting.
The many stories surrounding the restaurant add a distinctive touch and give the eatery a warm and fuzzy feeling, almost like they you are in on an exclusive secret. This is where you go when you need a break from the hustle of the modern world and where you can expect a carefully cared for culinary experience without the fuss. Sea Horse offers the diner a comforting constant in a world where everything is changing at an ever increasing speed. As Korpela so bluntly yet charmingly puts it: “Why fix something that isn’t broken?”
For more information, please visit: www.seahorse.fi
Sea Horse is a restaurant that prides itself on serving excellent traditional Finnish food ordered off a menu that has no intention of changing.
Issue 74 | March 2015 | 91