TALLInn - In Your Pocket

38 restaurants restaurants 39
Mediterranean
Admiral G-3, Lootsi 15, tel. (+372) 662 37 77, admiral@estpak.ee,
www.aurulaev-admiral.ee. A meal at this
smart restaurant built into an old steam ship, has to be one
of the most unforgettable dining experiences in town. The
service and atmosphere here harken back to times when
a luxury sea voyage was the height of class. You're also
encouraged to check out the multitude of old photos, model
ships and seafaring memorabilia that grace the interior. The
impressive view of Tallinn harbour through the portholes is
unquestionably 100% Estonian, but the menu here is actually
more Mediterranean and prepared by a French chef. If that
weren't enough you'll also be treated to a complimentary shot
of Admiral's pepper vodka with your meal. QOpen 12:00 -
23:00. (€12.80). TLXS
Alter Ego B-4, Roseni 8 (Rotermanni Quarter), tel.
(+372) 54 56 03 39, info@alterego.ee, www.alterego.
ee. One of the most delightful culinary experiences we've
had in some time comes in the form of this heavily Spanishinfluenced,
Mediterranean-style restaurant located in the
fashionable Rotermanni Quarter. The owner is a recent
Spanish arrival with roots in the wine industry and he certainly
knows how to lavish his creativity and highly tuned palate into
producing top-notch cuisine. Needless to say, the wine selection
is immense and the dishes are mouth-watering. QOpen
12:00 - 22:30, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 23:00. (€12). J6UW
Latin American
Cubanita G-3, Narva mnt. 5, tel. (+372) 664 04 22,
info@cubanita.ee, www.cubanita.ee. Given its size
and snazzy decor you would expect this restaurant/café/
lounge to provide one with a culinary experience worth
telling friends about - it does not. Where it does shine
though is in the nightlife genre. They have an extensive
range of cocktails, Cuban and otherwise, some great
Latin-oriented live music from Thursdays to Saturdays
and some decent appetisers to go with your drinks. Be
sure to check their website for performance schedules.
QOpen 11:00 - 02:00, Mon, Tue 11:00 - 23:00, Sun
12:00 - 00:00. 1st floor Deli&Café open 09:00 - 21:00.
(€7). EXSW
Korean
Ariran G-1, Telliskivi 35, tel. (+372) 673 39 92,
info@ariran.eu, www.ariran.eu. This Korean place
might not be your first choice given it’s awkward
location on the way to Kopli - however, it has been a
local favourite for years and the dishes are prepared
rather authentically. The inner décor, as would be
expected, is delightfully tacky but we quite enjoyed
our overall experience. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00. (€6.50).
UIVS
Gotsu I-2, Pärnu mnt. 62a, tel. (+372) 614 00
22, info@gotsu.ee, www.gotsu.ee. This little cellar
place is a small hike from the centre, but for an authentic
Korean experience it’s pretty much your only
bet in Tallinn. Besides the main eating area they also
have a traditional Korean dining room where guests
are asked to remove their shoes when entering, (clean
socks and fresh smelling feet would be highly recommended).
Here you’ll be able to enjoy their succulent
dumplings while on your knees. Dishes tend to be on
the spicy side so please make your preference known
when ordering. QOpen 11:00 - 21:00, Sat 13:00 -
21:00. Closed Sun. (€5.60). 6VSW
Gusto B-1, Kopli 2c, tel. (+372) 53 04 24 84, gusto@
gusto.ee, www.gusto.ee. We must admit that we were
quite surprised with the level of service and quality of food
when we reviewed this slightly off-the-beaten-track restaurant
on the other side of the train station. We went into
reviewing it with some misconceptions, but were happily,
not disappointed. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Mon, Tue 12:00
- 17:00. Closed Sun. (€8.70).
Neikid Resto D-1, Wismari 3, tel. (+372) 660 45 81,
resto@neikid.ee, www.neikid.ee. A little off the beaten
track but certainly worth-the-while, Neikid is anything
but ‘naked’ when it comes to the cuisine, atmosphere
and service. They call themselves ‘Mediterranean’ but
the menu certainly has heavy international leanings as
of late. Come for lunch and take your pick of a few daily
specials or join the dinner-crowd for some of their à la
carte specialities. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. Closed Sun.
(€12). T6LSW
Middle Eastern
Magnuna B-2, Lai 42, tel. (+372) 682 54 22, magnuna@magnuna.ee,
www.magnuna.ee. Not to be
confused with the title of the Eurovision song "Maganuna"
, which was just frightening - this reincarnation of another
Asian/Middle Eastern restaurant that uses to be located
on Pikk Street, is actually quite decent. They currently side
more with the Middle Eastern way when it comes to their
menu and apparently their chefs have globe-trotted to Tallinn
from Afghanistan, the Sudan and Lebanon. Given the current
political situations in all of those countries, we can't say that
we blame them. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00, Sun 11:00 - 23:00.
(€12). JUSW
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Russian
Balalaika H-2, Paldiski mnt. 4 (Meriton Grand Conference
& Spa Hotel), tel. (+372) 667 71 20, conferencespa@meritonhotels.com,
www.meritonhotels.com/
russian+restaurant/. This Russian restaurant located in
the flagship Meriton hotel at the base of Toompea, offers up
all the usual Russian fare you'd expect, such as caviar and
blinis and the dishes are all prepared quite nicely. One thing
though that sets Balalaika apart from the others is that they
also offer a cold zakuska buffet, presented in an antique
carriage from St. Petersburg - that, and the complimentary
half-shot of vodka of course. Na Zdorovie! QOpen 12:00 -
15:00; 18:00 - 23:00. (€15.50). ULW
Café Pushkin C-4, Mere pst. 5, tel. (+372) 631 36 36,
info@cafepushkin.ee, www.cafepushkin.ee. While other
Russian places are geared towards tourists, Café Pushkin
is where the local Russians, including politicos and celebs,
come to eat. The bliny (pancakes) are said to be the best
in the city. A long list of other Russian favourites is on offer,
including the triple ukha (fish soup) and the Boyar (rolled beef
stuffed with cherries and walnuts). QOpen 10:00 - 22:00,
Fri 10:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 23:00. (€9). JESW
Nevskij C-2, Rataskaevu 7, tel. (+372) 628 65 65,
nevskij@schlossle-hotels.com, www.nevskij.ee. Given the
way the St. Petersbourg Hotel's high-class restaurant is decorated,
it might very well be mistaken for Russian intellectual's
sitting room, were it not for the fact that a smart waiter greets
you at your table with a vodka and caviar menu. Classic aristocratic
staples are on offer and are done in a way that shows a
clever chef at work. We enjoyed our food, and the fact that the
complimentary vodka shots seemed to keep coming. QOpen
12:00 - 23:00. Closed Mon, Sun. (€15.50). JIESW
Troika C-2, Raekoja plats 15, tel. (+372) 627 62 45,
restoran@troika.ee, www.troika.ee. One of Tallinn's mustsee
cellar restaurants, Troika wows its clientele with a cosy,
old-style Russian décor and a singer who belts out folk songs
from a balcony from time to time. (When choosing your table,
you may want to consider just how close you want to be to
this spectacle.) But the best thing about this place is the
food - excellent bliny and pelmeni as well as a selection of
traditional main courses. Great service. Book ahead. QOpen
10:00 - 23:00. (€12.50). JUIEX
Vene Söögituba A-3, Lai 49 (Meriton Old Town hotel),
tel. (+372) 614 13 50, www.meritonhotels.com. Kind of
like the little brother to their Balalaika restaurant, the 'Russian
Eatery' is more laid-back and café-like featuring daily
dishes, dumplings, soups, bliniis and crêpes. It's the kind of
place where one can hang around a while, read a book, surf
the internet or just enjoy a conversation with a friend. Great
desserts too! QOpen 10:00 - 20:00. (€7.50). J
Tallinn In Your Pocket tallinn.inyourpocket.com tallinn.inyourpocket.com
October - November 2012