Hotel Helka (Helsinki, FINLAND)

Our flight to Helsinki was delayed a bit but we finally made it to our first stop in Scandinavia safe and sound. After taking the airport shuttle to Helsingin päärautatieasema, Helsinki's central railway station, we hopped off immediately and started marching slowly towards Hotel Helka.



Meet Hotel Helka, ladies and gentlemen! Housed inside a historic building from 1920's, it's just a comfortable 12-minute walk from the railway station. Not bad.

We spent a few moments taking photos in the hotel lobby while waiting for our turn to check in.

Our deluxe room was well-designed creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. For a price tag under €100, it felt like a huge bargain. 

Even the ceiling was nicely decorated with a picture of a tropical river and jungle.

Hidden inside the toilet was a private sauna room which we didn't have the time to check out personally.

The hotel is very close to Kamppi Metro station and bus terminal although we won't be able to see those from our window.

Breakfast was included and it was a simple affair with salad, sausage and egg, milk and cereal. That's enough to get us through the morning.

We had an amazing time in Helsinki. Now, time to explore the next city on our itinerary. Stockholm, you're next on the agenda!

Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Price: $$

Address: Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 23, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Closest Subway Station: Kamppi

Tel: +358 9 613580

Website: www.hotelhelka.com

Le 188° Restaurant & Lounge (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★☆☆☆

Located on the 41st floor of the brand new Harbour Grand Hong Kong in North Point, Le 188° Restaurant & Lounge offers a stunning 188-degree view of the harbour with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides of the restaurant. At the helm is Hungarian executive chef Jeno Friedl who creates a modern European cuisine and seafood delights to guests with a menu that changes on a regular basis.




The restaurant successfully combines elegant modern decor, an exquisite contemporary European menu and a jaw-dropping harbour view all under one roof.



The amuse bouche was a simple scallop sashimi with a garden green.



First up was one of chef Friedl's signature dishes, pan seared foie gras with balsamic vinegar.



Our second course was a scallops carpaccio that was sandwiched by two thin layers of ginger jelly. That was quite an innovative interpretation.



But the wheels started to fall off from here beginning with the disappointing langoustine skewers which was served with an intense lobster sauce.



The lamb wellington with spinach and mushroom was also slightly below expectation.



Le 188˚'s selling point is mainly the spectacular view so don't set your bar too high.


Food Rating: 4/10

Price: $$$

Address: 41/F, Harbour Grand Hong Kong, 23 Oil Street, North Point, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Fortress Hill

Tel: +852 2121-2693
Website: www.harbour-grand. com/en/hong-kong/fine-dining/le188.html

Zuma (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★★☆☆

Zuma was founded in London back in 2002 by chef Rainer Becker and has immediately gained the reputation as one of the world's best contemporary Japanese restaurant.



Located in the heart of central district, Zuma Hong Kong is quietly building up a reputation comparable to its London flagship. In fact, it's been listed as one of the world's best 100 restaurants in the 2009 edition of the World's Best 50 Restaurants, which is quite a feat for the relatively "young" Japanese restaurant.

 

Zuma's sunday brunch is one of the best in the business. The brunch starts with all-you-can-eat appetizers including a wide variety of sushi and sushi rolls, along with other Japanese snacks. And it gets better with the main courses. 

The grilled lamb chops with exotic spices was one of the must try on the brunch menu.

 

A little less successful was the grilled sirloin served with onion and garlic chips.



The dessert platter is one of the more instagram worthy ones in town although looks could be a little deceiving.




Food Rating: 5.5/10
Price: $$$$
Address: 15 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
Closest Metro Station: Central / Hong Kong Station
Tel: +852 3657-6388
Website: www.zumarestaurant.com