30. June 2015: Restaurant Ragu
The evening started with a selection of various “breads and spreads” – the bread was fresh and aromatic and the various spreads stood out as they were quite different from one another and the “blue cheese spread” was actually superb.
I went for the “Chef’s 5 Course Surprise Menu” (EUR 57.00) with the “Wine Pairing” (EUR 46.00) but started with a glass of “Valkoviinilasi 1,2dl White Wine” (EUR 10.90). The menu started with “toast Skagen made of: salmon ceviche, shrimps & tarragon” accompanied by “Jermann, Afix Riesling 2013, Friuli Venezia Giulia”. The toast was nicely crispy and the fresh salmon in combination with the cucumber was absolutely lovely. The ends of the toast were outstanding – the middle was average.
The next course was the “sweet potato soup & pork ribs” accompanied by “La Crotta Di Vegneron, Chambave Muscat 2013, Valle D´aosta”. The soup was aromatic and the pork ribs which were covered in the sweet potato soup were actually very smooth.
The “pike perch, poached egg & aspargus” accompanied by “Antinori, Cervaro della Sala 2012, Umbria” was good – especially due to the fact that there was an egg cooked at 63° behind the fish – the combination of the poached egg with the pike perch and the sauce was aromatic, intense, and lovely.
The main course was “lamb x2 & pea risotto” which was actually a lamb sausage and lamb shoulder was accompanied by “Giulia Negri, Barbera d´Alba 2013, Piemonte”. The lamb was having a slight taste of lamb but not an overwhelming one – the pea risotto was simple but mouth-watering.
In between the main course and dessert, there was a “pre-dessert”. Unfortunately, I can’t recall what it was but with the crunchy nuts it was definitely interesting in texture.
The dessert was “Fennel, licorice & lemon” accompanied by “Maculan, Torcolato 2010, Veneto”. The lemon icecream was refreshing and the smear of licorice gave it a little twist. The fennel balanced it off very well. All in all, a very interesting dessert.
The Restaurant Ragu is very nice indeed – from its interior …
… as well as the view into the bar …
… but also the decoration! The place is definitely worth a visit as it is very lovely, the food is good, the prices are fair. But let me give you a couple of words about the service. While the waiter was friendly and generally did a good job, there was one thing which I consider highly unacceptable. My company had the three course menu with a wine pairing. The moment it changed to red wine I got served way less red wine. When I talked to the waiter about it, he just said: “Well, you have five courses, your company has three. So you get less!”.
Frankly, that is a behaviour which is completely unacceptable! I guess he realized at a later point in time that I was pissed and tried to make up for it – but too late, this was unacceptable. A pity as the service besides that was good. However, the prices are also fair for the beverages (i.e. double espresso, EUR 4.50; mineral water, EUR 5.00). If you have time, the Restaurant Ragu is definitely a nice place to have a very good tasting menu!
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Ragu
Ludviginkatu 3-5
00130 Helsinki (FI)
Tel.: +358 95 966 59
E-Mail: reservations@ragu.fi
Homepage: http://www.ragu.fi
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
