After arriving at Tallinn International Airport in Estonia, we checked into our hotel, dropped off our luggage, and headed out to stroll around the Old Town.
The weather forecast called for rain, but we were lucky enough to get gorgeous weather! The view from the Kohtuotsa viewing platform on the hill was spectacular! The red roofs are so beautiful.
After our walk, it was time for lunch. "Restaurant Rataskaevu 16" is a highly popular spot. Reviews mentioned it's impossible to get in without a reservation, but perhaps because it was a bit late, we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. When I told a friend who knows the place, they said we were incredibly lucky to get in.
The interior retains its old walls, giving it a fantastic atmosphere. I missed it, but apparently, the restroom has a glass floor where you can see excavated ruins. I wish I had checked it out!
Anyway, first things first: wine.
Our first bottle was a white wine chosen by my wife, a German Riesling called "Hessenstein." It was a crisp, dry wine that went down very smoothly.
While waiting for our food, we had some complimentary bread, which was surprisingly delicious. A lot of the bread around here tends to be sour or dry, but this one had a nice, slightly bitter, roasted flavor that paired perfectly with the butter.
The "3-Cheese Pie (€11.4)" was filled with rich cheese inside a crisp, delicate pastry. The presentation, complete with spinach sauce and walnuts, was also beautiful.
The "Sautéed Flounder (€19.9)." The soft, flaky meat of the flounder had a lovely buttery aroma, and the sour cream and chive sauce with herring roe added a great pop of texture that perfectly complemented the mild white fish. It made the white wine taste even better.
Even though it was just lunch, we ordered another bottle of wine. Our next choice, recommended by the young waiter attending our table, was "Villa Girardi," a Valpolicella Ripasso. It's a red wine made using a somewhat unique method, characterized by a full body and a gorgeous, rich flavor profile.
If we're having red wine, we need meat. So, we went with the "Slow-Roasted Elk (€28.6)." Since my suggestion to eat beaver was strongly vetoed in Lithuania, I pushed my request through here.
Elk is usually known to be quite gamey, but this was roasted for over five hours before being stewed, making it fall-apart tender with absolutely no gamey taste.
The pearl barley, colored bright red with beets, provided a nice chewy texture and served as a great accent. The blackcurrant and mustard sauce had a clean sweetness that paired incredibly well with the meat!
For dessert, we had the "Bread Pudding (€8.8)." I fell in love with it at first sight after seeing photos in the reviews, and it was a total winner! The rich sweetness of the bread pudding and the tartness of the rhubarb ice cream were a match made in heaven.
All the dishes were delicious, and the waiter taking care of our table was exceptional.
When we mentioned that we were also celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday, he surprised us on our way out with a handwritten message in Japanese, which completely touched our hearts. The prices are a bit on the higher side, but the outstanding food and hospitality made for a truly wonderful experience.
Restaurant Rataskaevu 16
Rataskaevu tn 16, 10123 Tallinn
+372-642-4025
Hours: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri & Sat until 12:00 AM
Closed: None