My short - too short - weekend in HEL was fantastic. We didn't have the chance to eat at CD (hockey game Sat; closed Sun; next time it is a must do) but Salve and Manala were more than we could have asked for. Sauteed reindeer, potatoes and lingon berries - yummy! (Of note, finding a place to eat on a Sunday night is not the easiest task). Pickles and honey. How did someone figure that one out? Doesn't matter because the combo made a nice appetizer. The beer was even good - nothing wrong with a cold Koff. And the lakka. That was very nice to finish of a meal and a few bottles made it back to the USA with us. What else as I try not to ramble too much. Breakfast pastries with rice, cheese/meat and a cup of strong coffee = more good stuff ^. Speaking of coffee, not a bad cup all trip; strong but not bitter or burnt (e.g. Starbucks). Lastly, we stopped at a street vendor booth on the way home one night and picked up one great hamburger - not quite sure what was on it, but it was good.

I must thank the folks here for their suggestions - - and if anyone wants a few more details from the short time tourist perspective, send a pm.

Cheers