Originally Posted by
Dans6362
I started reading this thread for nostalgic reasons and became engrossed.
Heh, same thing here as well. I was there a few times in '07 and typically ate with my friends and their families. Impressions in general, from someone who went on FF miles and would not have dreamt of spending 50 euros on one dinner:
1. Hesburger isn't as good as McDonald's, but you do get those little packets of flavored salt that sort-of redeem it. Those are cool. McDonald's portions aren't as big as they are in the States.
2. Servings are tiny in most places, actually. I took to ordering 2 entrees sometimes...
3. Popcorn at Finn Kino, on the other hand, is the same size as it would be at a US theater.
4. Try salmiakki. You never know, you might get a taste for it. My Finnish friends were a bit disappointed that I liked it...
5. No restaurant there can compare to makkara (sausage) cooked over a wood fire by the lake. A lot of restaurants here can't compare to that, either.
But the one absolutely spectacular culinary experience of my time in Finland: Blueberry pie ice cream. Tastes exactly like Grandma's blueberry pie, but mixed into vanilla ice cream. You know how good ice cream is on blueberry pie, but I bet you've never had the two in one frozen delight before... I don't remember the brand name but we bought it in some little grocery shop. It wasn't particularly expensive but it left me wishing for a way to bring it back to the States.