Puotilan Kartano , Helsinki, Finland

Puotilan Kartano is a very interesting place to dine: the long, single-story restaurant is housed in a building that dates back to the beginning of the nineteenth century. One of the most famous owners was senator Leo Mechelin whose wife was the daughter of the previous owner. They used the manor as their summer residence. Cely Mechelin, one of the entrepreneurs of the women's organization Marttaliitto, was born in the manor in 1866. After the Second World War the manor functioned as a Finnish-speaking school until it became the property of the city of Helsinki. It was a miracle how the house was transformed from a ruin to be restored and saved from demolition. Now it is an elegant restaurant favored by wedding couples for their receptions. The restaurant is sometimes called an oasis of eastern Helsinki. They have a fine interior for those who want to eat in style and a modest tavern. The finer part of the restaurant is very light and the tavern side, somewhat darker. Outside they have a large terrace for summertime use. A walk at the seashore or in the attractive park is also enjoyable. The food is general, quality Finnish restaurant food with French details. It is quite traditional, sometimes pleasantly surprising. The prices are quite reasonable, though the à la carte menu is of course somewhat more expensive.