Grön: Finland's New One-Starred Restaurant

"Grön translates to "green" in Swedish—the second official language of Finland—and is an apt name for this tiny, intimate place with a focus on nature. Warmly run by two young first-time owners, chef Toni Kostian and manager Lauri Kähkönen, Grön has already built up a strong local following in Helsinki. The simple wood-furnished room gives a clue as to the cooking: its shelves are laden with dried, pickled and cured ingredients that chef Kostian preserves in preparation for the long cold winter. He works closely with his team of small-time producers, but he also forages himself to discover which produce is currently at its peak, using the region’s bounty to its fullest. Fresh ingredients are cleverly combined with the contents packed on the shelves to produce dishes with pure, natural flavors as well as a satisfying earthiness. They are well-balanced and demonstrate a clear understanding of textures and flavors and, satisfyingly, vegetables are given equal billing with meat and fish." - The MICHELIN Guide Nordic Editorial Team