HSS Boathouse

Helsinki, 22 degrees


Our lives are like islands in the sea, or like trees in the forest, which co-mingle their roots in the darkness underground.

Sun, wind and water, and good food. That is what the beginning of my second holiday has been all about! Last week I had the pleasure of spending a romantic dinner with my boyfriend in the archipelago in front of Helsinki. Sometimes people forget that we do have about 300 islands in front of our lovely capital city, so it's easy to explore the seaside even when staying in the city. Can you guess what restaurant we went to?

Next to the verdant Kaivopuisto park and its stunning guest harbor, we waited for the small connection boat to take us over to Kämp Group's HSS Boathouse restaurant. I wrote about this restaurant also last year, you might remember this blog post?

It only takes about 10 minutes to reach the island from the pier next to the park. The restaurant is located on an island called Liuskasaari (Skifferholmen in Swedish). This particular island has functioned as the home of Helsinki's very own sailing society since the 19th century, so no wonder they built a restaurant on the island to serve the sailors in the area. The restaurant we see today was built back in 1949.

While sitting on the connection boat, I always get a sensation of being in a Venice like setting, kind of swining on the water between islands and boats. I think not many people know that one can experience something this unique in Daughter of the Baltic Sea, as Helsinki is sometimes also called. What one wouldn't find anywhere else though, is the stunning Jugend architecture on the coast. Helsinki is one of the finest Jugend, also called Art Nouveau, cities in Europe! There has even been made brochures about it, you'll find one in English here if you're planning a trip to the city where heaven meets the sea. You can also see some of its Jugend beauty in my earlier blogs posts like this, this and this.


Once we reached restaurant HSS Boathouse, once again, as always on an island, my mind was at ease and my soul at rest. The pavilion like restaurant is very particular since it enables you to enjoy a unique sea view. If you sit on the outer side of the restaurant, you'll see purely the sea, no city view. However, on the other side one can admire an urban scenery as well. The round dining room is very romantic in my opinion. Rumors say that it's a popular place for proposals, and it's no wonder since the place is so dreamy. I think the restaurant's terrace is one of the best in town: the white sun chairs are just perfect for a summer day!


Despite the fact that the place view is its best feature, its food does not fall much behind. Me and my boyfriend enjoyed both a three course menu, and I made this collage to showcase some of the treats we had. My favorites must have been my starter: the fennel soup and crab croquet, and my dessert: the cheese plate with Finnish cheeses and nut bread. I must admit though that my boyfriend's starter "Fish with a twist" - citrus salted salmon, dill aioli and pickled vegetables - was yummy as well. My boy's favorite was the meaty dish - grilled marbled fillet of beef, roasted black root and Boathouse's béarnaise sauce.


Such a lovely insular experience! The sunset was splendid as we returned to shore. I put together my outfit for the evening based on one of my favorite dresses this season - my floral maxi dress! Some of you readers might remember that I was obsessing about finding one just right for me, so you can imagine how happy I was when I found this one on H&M's website. I tried to find something similar in their stores here in Helsinki, but apparently this dress didn't reach the shops, merely the web shop. I combined the dress with a sailor blazer, small black shoulder bag and black sandals. I also added some white pearl earrings to the outfit. To finalize the look, I put on some mandarin colored lipstick - my favorite shade of lipstick this summer!


Since I've been so crazy about my maxi floral dress, I also used the same piece when I went out with some of my best friends one summery Saturday evening! We took some fun group photos that I thought you might enjoy! We started out at a friend's place and ended the evening at Club Kappeli. Club Kappeli is located in one of Helsinki's most legendary restaurants, which summertime turns into a nightclub. I actually ended up on a video that was made at the club that evening, how fun is that? If you want to catch me on the video, have a look at 00.23!


The summer is short! What is your favorite way to spend the summer? Which are your must do's?

What's your opinion?

  1. I usually spend so much time working in summer I rarely get to enjoy it. I hope to get a (small) pool next year.

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    1. Work is important, but don't forget to enjoy summer as well! Then you also work better! :)

      xxx
      E

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  2. Wow, an island and a restaurant that dates from 1949 - I think I would have loves the experience too! Yes, Jugend style is also very popular in other parts, I like it! And you look very beautiful in your maxi floral dress! I like maxi skirts or dresses very much! I know many people love summer - I love winter... so every 6 months I change countries, following winter!!!! But I wish you enjoy summer a lot! denisesplanet com

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    1. Yes, I'm sure you would! Jugend style is amazing! Where have you seen it Denise? Thank you for your kind compliment!
      I love having four distinct seasons like we have here in Helsinki :)

      xxx
      E

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  3. Beautiful photos dear!
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  4. wow, lovely photos! i really love the sceneries and your dress looks amazing :)

    NEW POST: www.chriissydollxo.com

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    1. Thank you Christine for your kind words!

      xxx
      E

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  5. mmm.. the food looks SO delicious and seeing it just makes me want to go to a nice restaurant too.. yeah, yummy! and your summery maxi dress looks great with the classic black accessories. and of course I love seaside.
    when it comes to my own vacation then nope, no plans yet. we have thought about going to Riga for a couple of days and we have also thought about a spa trip but nothing's certain yet. we'll see how things go with work and what we will come up with. oh and I'm glad you're loving my tattoos! it's always nice to hear good words about them :) +obviously I'm curious about your tattoos ;)

    Maiken,
    Maikeni blogi - part of me

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    1. It was delicious! Thank you for your kind compliments Maiken!
      I'm planning a blog post about tattoos, and besides telling about my already excisting tattoos, I'll also tell about my plans for my upcoming one!

      xxx
      E

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  6. Hi sweety, your city looks even more beautiful in summer! The food is amazing and so artfully presented, the restaurant sounds like a fantastic place to dine out. Love your pretty maxi dress, the perfect summer piece!

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    1. My city is always beautiful, in every season it's different :) Thank you for your kind compliments!

      xxx
      E

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  7. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!

    xxx
    E

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