Fazer

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Cafes in Finland
Helsinki : Fazer

When was established your restaurant and who had this idea?
Café Karl Fazer first opened its doors on 17.9.1891. The founder was young Karl Fazer with his wife Bertha.

How was choosen the name of the restaurant?
Café was named after its founder

For the persons who don't know well Helsinki, could you explain where your restaurant is located?
Café Karl Fazer is located in the heart of Helsinki, almost next to Market place and harbour. Famous Hotel Kämp is located on the same street.

What kind of environment is it?
Esplanade is right next to us, so even thogh we are in the middle of Helsinki, there are lots of trees around us.

Is the location of a restaurant an important thing?
Absolutely. Especially when You are not familiar with the city.

How would you present or describe your restaurant?
We are a classical café, serving huge amount of different beverages, coffees, hotchocolates, teas etc. We are famous for our cakes and ice cream portions.

What kind of cuisine do you propose?
We serve light lunch from 11.00 to 16.00 including salads and soups. Usually customers have sandwiches or tartes.

What are the specialties of your restaurant that you would definitly recommend to our readers?
Fazer's chocolate cake and apple meringue with vanilla custard.

How often do you change the menu?
We have different salads and soups every day.

Is it difficult to find good chefs in Finland?
I don't think so

Regarding the decoration of your restaurant, did you choose / follow a certain theme or a certain style?
Our decoration is based on the buildings original style. This building was built on 1930's. During the years, we have had three buildings, but the address has remained the same.

Is the decoration of a restaurant important?
Decoration speaks its own language, it has an important role in customers well-being.

It is always necessary to discuss a little bit about money... What is the average price that a couple who come to have a classical meal should expect to pay?
We don't serve meals, but if You come here to have coffees and cakes, an average price would be 15 euros for a couple.

To conclude this interview, are there any projects or happenings in the near future for your restaurant?
Next big thing is 5.2.Runeberg's Day. Johan Ludwig Runeberg was a poet who wrote lyrics to our national anthem, and he has this special cake everybody want to have on his birthday!

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2003