I visit here regularly because it is one of the only tolerable restaurants in the area. Their food is usually quite good but they have no understanding of service, especially with international visitors.
Many times we have sat in the almost empty restaurant and never...see our waiter/ress again after being shown to our table. Depending on our mood we either give up hope of getting another bottle of wine, or dessert, or go in search of some staff.
The atmosphere can be a bit too Finnish, considering they must have a lot of international visitors... Often there is a deadly silence where you almost feel you have to whisper. (If the restaurant is not full, which it typically isn't). It would be more comfortable with a bit of a buzz or some music. Even the waiting staff being more visible and welcoming might create a more hospitable vibe.
The worst example was recently when we went in for Breakfast. A grim waiter pointed us to 'there are some tables over there', and after that disappeared in the bar area in another room (not that there were any customers there) and was not seen in the restaurant. He was so angry looking and never asked us if we needed anything, that I was too afraid to ask for an espresso! The tomb-like silence was perhaps even more pronounced because it was morning which you'd expect to be a bit more lively.
The breakfast buffet was nothing special (even though the price was) - I've had better in many hotels.
Please get in some staff who have a clue about hospitality and want to make people feel welcome and enjoy themselves, to make the most of this beautiful and special location!! And do justice to the usually good food.More
