Menu Overview
Restaurant Kakolanruusu, located in a former prison in Turku, offers a unique dining experience with shared dishes and seasonal ingredients. The menu is designed for social dining, with options for feasts, small plates, and larger courses.
Detailed Menu Layout
Below is a structured layout of the menu, categorized by type, with prices in euros and dietary information where applicable:
- Kakola’s Feast
- BIG FEAST: Several cold and warm dishes, served one after another, with recommended wines
- Price: 83€ per person, Recommended wines: 59€ per person
- FEAST: Shorter feast with few shareable dishes, served one after another, with recommended wines
- Price: 64€ per person, Recommended wines: 43€ per person
- BIG FEAST: Several cold and warm dishes, served one after another, with recommended wines
- Small Shareable Plates / Starters
- Bread from bageri Å, dips: 6€, Available: vegan, GF
- Oysters Rockefeller (2 pc): 14€
- Oysters, mignonette, lemon: 6€ (1 pc), 16€ (3 pc), 30€ (6 pc), 60€ (12 pc)
- Cold smoked rainbow trout, dill cream cheese, pickled cucumber, crispy rye sourdough: 16€, Available: vegan, GF
- Grilled celeriac, celery, apple, walnuts, smoked Lardo: 16€, Available: vegan, GF
- Pork Wallenberg, sauerkraut, anchovy butter: 18€, Available: vegan, GF
- Beef tartar, egg yolk, truffle, Provolone toast: 19€, Available: vegan, GF
- Big Shareable Plates / Main Courses
- Grilled beef sirloin, glazed carrots, red wine sauce: 35€, Available: dairy free
- Grilled fish fillet of the day, currant leaf hollandaise, endive salad, crispy onion: 35€, Available: vegan, GF
- Green lentils, cauliflower, Parmesan, fenugreek, saffron: 28€, Available: vegan, GF
- Side Dishes
- Salads from Lindroth’s garden: 9€, Available: vegan, GF
- Garlic potato pure, parsley: 12€, Available: vegan, GF
- Grilled brussel sprouts, lovage mayonnaise, lingonberry, shallot: 12€, Available: vegan, GF
- Aubergine agnolot, Gorgonzola sauce, pear: 12€, Not available: vegan or GF
- Desserts
- Seabuckthorn pastry, white chocolate creme, mandarin sorbet seasoned with timut pepper: 14€, Available: GF, vegan
- Pecan pie, milk ice cream, maple syrup: 14€, Not available: vegan or GF
- Homemade ice cream: 8€, Available: GF, vegan
- Bar Menu
- Marinated olives: 5€
- Smoky nuts: 5€
- Bread from bageri Å, dips: 6€
- Oysters on the half shell, mignonette, lemon: 6€ (1 pc), 16€ (3 pc), 30€ (6 pc), 60€ (12 pc)
- Oysters Rockefeller: 14€ (2 pc), 28€ (4 pc)
- Cheese plate with homemade jam: 16€
- Homemade ice cream: 8€
Additional Information
Diners can create their own feast by selecting multiple small plates (1-3 per person recommended) or bigger plates (1 per person), with sides as desired. The restaurant accommodates dietary requirements, and all dishes are made from scratch using seasonal ingredients, with meat sourced from Finland. The wine list includes modern classics and a special cellar collection, and bookings can be made at this website.
Comprehensive Analysis of Restaurant Kakolanruusu Menu Layout
This section provides a detailed examination of the menu for Restaurant Kakolanruusu, located in Turku, Finland, within the unique setting of a former prison. The analysis is based on information gathered from the restaurant’s official website and verified through online searches, ensuring accuracy as of February 27, 2025. The menu reflects a dining experience focused on shared dishes, seasonal ingredients, and social interaction, with a structured layout designed for clarity and accessibility.
Background and Context
Restaurant Kakolanruusu, often referred to as the “rose of Kakola,” is known for its innovative approach to dining, emphasizing shareable portions and a casual, sociable atmosphere. The restaurant, which opened in its current form in 2019, is situated in the historic Kakola prison, adding a distinctive ambiance to the culinary experience. The menu is updated periodically, with recent changes noted to include new flavors starting from January 28, 2025, aligning with the current date of this analysis.
Menu Structure and Categories
The menu is divided into several key categories, each serving a specific purpose within the dining experience. This structure facilitates easy navigation for guests and highlights the restaurant’s focus on flexibility and variety. Below is a detailed breakdown:
- Kakola’s Feast: This section offers two feast options, designed for a prolonged dining experience with multiple courses.
- The BIG FEAST includes several cold and warm dishes served sequentially, priced at 83€ per person, with recommended wines at an additional 59€ per person.
- The FEAST is a shorter version, with fewer shareable dishes, priced at 64€ per person, and recommended wines at 43€ per person. Both options emphasize a shared dining experience, suitable for groups or special occasions.
- Small Shareable Plates / Starters: These are ideal for appetizers or lighter fare, with prices ranging from 6€ to 19€. Notable items include:
- Bread from bageri Å with dips at 6€, available in vegan and gluten-free (GF) options.
- Oysters, offered in multiple serving sizes (1 pc for 6€, 3 pc for 16€, 6 pc for 30€, 12 pc for 60€), providing flexibility for diners.
- Other options like cold smoked rainbow trout (16€, vegan, GF) and beef tartar (19€, vegan, GF) cater to various dietary preferences.
- Big Shareable Plates / Main Courses: These are larger dishes for the main course, priced between 28€ and 35€, suitable for sharing or as a centerpiece. Examples include:
- Grilled beef sirloin with glazed carrots and red wine sauce at 35€, available dairy-free.
- Grilled fish fillet of the day with currant leaf hollandaise at 35€, available vegan and GF.
- Green lentils with cauliflower and Parmesan at 28€, also vegan and GF, showcasing plant-based options.
- Side Dishes: These complement the main courses, with prices from 9€ to 12€, and include:
- Salads from Lindroth’s garden at 9€, vegan and GF.
- Garlic potato pure with parsley at 12€, vegan and GF.
- Aubergine agnolot with Gorgonzola sauce at 12€, notably not available in vegan or GF options, indicating a richer, cheese-based dish.
- Desserts: Offering sweet endings, priced at 8€ to 14€, with options for various dietary needs:
- Seabuckthorn pastry with white chocolate creme and mandarin sorbet at 14€, available GF and vegan.
- Pecan pie with milk ice cream at 14€, not available vegan or GF, catering to traditional dessert lovers.
- Homemade ice cream at 8€, available GF and vegan, providing a simple, versatile option.
- Bar Menu: Designed for casual dining or drinks, with prices from 5€ to 16€, including:
- Marinated olives and smoky nuts, both at 5€, for light snacking.
- Bread from bageri Å with dips at 6€, overlapping with starters but suitable for bar settings.
- Oysters on the half shell, with pricing mirroring the starters (6€ for 1 pc, up to 60€ for 12 pc), and Oysters Rockefeller at 14€ for 2 pc or 28€ for 4 pc.
- Cheese plate with homemade jam at 16€, and homemade ice cream at 8€, offering dessert options at the bar.
Dietary Considerations and Flexibility
A significant aspect of the menu is its accommodation of dietary needs, with many dishes labeled as vegan, GF, or dairy-free. For instance, most small plates and main courses offer vegan and GF options, ensuring inclusivity. The note to inform the restaurant about allergies or special diets further enhances accessibility, aligning with modern dining expectations.
Additional Features and Notes
The menu encourages customization, with a recommendation to choose 1-3 small dishes per person and 1 big dish per person, supplemented by sides as desired. This flexibility allows guests to tailor their experience, whether for a quick meal or an extended feast. All dishes are made from scratch, emphasizing craftsmanship, and use seasonal ingredients, with meat sourced from Finland, reflecting a commitment to local and sustainable practices. The wine list, not detailed in pricing here, includes modern classics, small batch wines, and a special cellar collection, enhancing the dining experience with beverage pairings.
Unexpected Observations
An interesting detail is the multiple serving sizes for oysters, which is not commonly seen in all restaurant menus. This feature, available in both the starters and bar menu, allows diners to adjust portion sizes based on preference or group size, adding an unexpected layer of flexibility.
Booking and Accessibility
For those interested in experiencing the menu, bookings can be made at this website, ensuring a seamless reservation process. The restaurant’s location in a former prison, as noted in reviews, adds a unique ambiance, potentially influencing the dining experience.
Tables for Clarity
To enhance readability, the menu is presented in a tabular format below, summarizing key categories and items:
| Category | Item Example | Price Range (EUR) | Dietary Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakola’s Feast | BIG FEAST, FEAST | 64-83 | Includes wine options |
| Small Shareable Plates | Bread from bageri Å, Oysters Rockefeller | 6-19 | Many vegan, GF options |
| Big Shareable Plates | Grilled beef sirloin, Green lentils | 28-35 | Vegan, GF, dairy-free |
| Side Dishes | Salads, Aubergine agnolot | 9-12 | Mostly vegan, GF |
| Desserts | Seabuckthorn pastry, Pecan pie | 8-14 | Some vegan, GF options |
| Bar Menu | Marinated olives, Cheese plate | 5-16 | Includes dessert options |
This table provides a quick overview, complementing the detailed list above.
Conclusion
The menu layout for Restaurant Kakolanruusu is comprehensive, catering to a wide range of preferences with its shareable dishes, dietary accommodations, and flexible serving options. The inclusion of multiple oyster sizes and the emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients highlight the restaurant’s innovative approach, making it a notable dining destination in Turku.