Located between Bulevardi and Uudenmaankatu, next to the heart of the Design District Helsinki, renovated Kitchen & Co. has opened its doors this week!

Set uniquely in a former school gymnasium this restaurant has been up and working for about two years, but this spring the restaurateurs Kati Jaakkola and Filip Stenius decided to renew its appearance since recently the space next door to Kitchen & Co. became available. They immediately had the idea to open an extension to the restaurant is that space. This summer, a bistro-style bar called Bar & Co., that in concentrated on good wines, will open in the premises. The same restaurateurs are the masterminds behind the popular Soppakeittö soup kitchens in Helsinki’s market halls.

The restaurant is more visible from the street view now after the renewal thanks to the restaurant name which one can see written on the windows. Behind the automatically opening doors there is a red carpet leading the visitor to the restaurant.

Along the red carpet, one proceeds to the aerial main restaurant space where a warm atmosphere is tangible. The high ceiling height and the big windows bring light into the space, and the long sheer curtains divide it beautifully. The mood is set also by using the right lightning. The color scheme is classical: tree mixed with black and white. One of the restaurant’s rarities is the loft that fits groups of about 30 people.

The renewal hasn’t affected directly the food: during the busy lunchtime fresh salads and plentiful soups and served whereas in the evening the sizzling grill is alighted to ensure the tastiness of the restaurant’s meat and fish dishes. The food can be described as simple in a Finnish way.

The menu consists of easygoing rustic classics. The restaurant uses local products and prefers, when possible, to use organic ingredients.

Have you already tried this restaurant on your way to the Design District?