• Best Indian restaurants in Stockholm, so far

    I’ve visited Stockholm almost more often than India, since it is so near-by – just behind one sea. And when in Stockholm, I often wish to eat in an Indian restaurant. But good Indian restaurants are hard to find and access outside India. Still, years of hard work and searching have paid their prize and I’m finally able to tell, not only one, but two good Indian restaurants from Stockholm.

    First comes a restaurant named East India, almost in the center of Stockholm –

    Restaurant EAST INDIA, Stockholm

    East India restaurant had a nice terrace by the street of Kommendörsgatan in Stockholm
    The restaurant had a nice terrace by the street of Kommendörsgatan.
    Inside decoration reminds one of the sixties
    Inside decoration reminds one of the sixties
    Overall atmosphere is that of a fine dining restaurant.
    Overall atmosphere is that of a fine dining restaurant.
    Nearly five star Palak Paneer
    Nearly five star Palak Paneer

    All their dishes were served beautifully decorated, which of course shows in the prize list as well, but after tasting their Palak Paneer and Naan bread, one didn’t mind paying, since the experience was almost a five star taste wise.

    Bhindi Masala and Shahi Paneer were also looking nice, tasting average well.

    Bhindi Masala and Naan bread
    Bhindi Masala and Naan bread
    Shahi Paneer in restaurant East India, Stockholm
    Shahi Paneer in restaurant East India, Stockholm

    Would I go to Stockholm and restaurant East India again? Yes, and preferably to the terrace on a warm and sunny day.

    Another good Indian restaurant in Stockholm is Holy Cow. It was number one in Tripadvisor’s Indian restaurants in Stockholm last year, so I thought, lets give it a try. By now, autumn 2018, it has dropped till 4th best Indian restaurant in Stockholm, according to Tripadvisor.

    Restaurant HOLY COW SÖDER, Stockholm

    Holy Cow Söder was difficult to reach, since it was located in Ringvaegen, which was not in the centre of Stockholm, but required a long walk from the centre instead.

    Tourist, of course, does not mind, since one gets to see the city.

    Restaurant Holy Cow Söder under the orange shelter
    Restaurant Holy Cow Söder under the orange shelter
    Windows open to the terrace
    The open windows eased the heat during summer, but unfortunately let the disturbing tobacco smoke come in from the terrace.
    HolyCowSoederStockholm_6273
    Vegetarian food was tasting average well. The orange shade in the image comes from the restaurant’s orange sun shelter.
    Toothpicks are uncommon luxury in many restaurants. Holy Cow Söder had them many.
    Toothpicks are uncommon luxury in many restaurants. Holy Cow Söder had them many.
    Terrace of restaurant Holy Cow Söder in Stockholm
    The above mentioned orange sun shelter of the restaurant Holy Cow Söder in Stockholm

    The interior of restaurant Holy Cow Söder was modest but clean. Summer heat was beaten by open windows to the terrace, which also allowed the cigarette smoke come inside the restaurant from the terrace. Vegetarian lunch in the restaurant was tasting average well.

    Would I go to Stockholm and restaurant Holy Cow Söder again? Yes, for a lunch, but only if I’m nearby.

    Read about restaurant East India also in Fin

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  • Helsinki centre on Design Week 2018

    Helsinki center has cheered up and become more lively after the recent opening of Amos Rex Art Museum there. This inspired me to take a walk in the center, especially since the weather was warm and sunny and Helsinki Design Week 2018 had started.

    Helsinki Design Week 2018 in Keskuskatu
    Helsinki Design Week 2018 in Keskuskatu
    Keskuskatu, Helsinki, streetview
    Keskuskatu, Helsinki, streetview

    Keskuskatu, one of the streets in the very center of Helsinki has become a pleasant and stylish pedestrian street over the years. For the time being it also features a Helsinki Design Week 2018 -booth, from which event information is shared both for tourists and local passers-by.

    A short walk in the center of Helsinki also stimulated the need for traveling abroad:

    Keskuskatu with its tourists reminded me of any European metropolis, and even the helmet wearing passengers with the scooter, queuing in the traffic lights, resembled the streets of Rome.

    HelsinkicentreonDesignWeek2018_IndivueCom_7060

    But when I went to Baana for the first time, the pedestrian/cycling street in the Helsinki center, I was truly fascinated after seeing them benches meant for only one person to sit.

    I had admired that kind of benches earlier in Stockholm and wondered why we don’t have them in Helsinki. And now found out that all this time they might have existed by this pedestrian street, which has been easing the life of the cyclists as well in the Helsinki center since 2012.

    Benches for one person by the Baana
    Benches for one person by the Baana

    Yes, I really walked through the promenade for the first time in 2018. And I must admit – it was a refreshing experience.

    I liked it even more than the lovely bike / pedestrian streets in Copenhagen, as “hygge” as they might be, since in Helsinki the road was much more spacious and safer for its passengers.

    Afternoon car jams were only humming somewhere far off in the upper air when I walked from Kamppi to Kiasma, the museum of contemporary art, towards Oodi, the new and magnificent library being built in Helsinki.

    Baana in Helsinki centre
    Baana, the road for bicycles and pedestrians in Helsinki centre

    The capital of Finland is really changing for the better. It’s really worth for tourists to come and bloggers to blog.

    Helsinki Design Week is a 13 year old annual event presenting Finnish design in Helsinki, and this year’s novelty is the Children’s Design Week. You can find the entire Helsinki Design Week 2018 -program at https://www.helsinkidesignweek.com.

    Kiasma, museum of contemporary art, in Helsinki, Finland
    Kiasma, museum of contemporary art, in Helsinki, Finland

    Find more blogging related to Helsinki here

    and read about Helsinki also in Finnish .