A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to experience a lovely and surprising food discovery, hosted by Estonian Ambassador Streimann at L’Ambassade d’Estonie in Paris, and organized by Visit Estonia and Flavours of Estonia. An intimate and immersive afternoon feast created by some of the most innovative chefs of the small Baltic country, that definitely gave me the wish to explore Estonia soon. And here’s why you should too !
Estonia’s highest rated restaurants
Tõnis Siigur and Orm Oja from NOA’s Chef’s Hall, Tallinn; Matthias Diether from Pädaste Manor, Muhu Island (throughout the summer months), and Alexander, Old Town of Tallinn (throughout the winter months); and Vlad Dyatchuk from Tchaikovsky; prepared an eight course meal that showcased the vast array of unique, organic and native produce that influences one of the most intriguing palates of Eastern Europe.
Estonian flavours
Our table was a delight to look at, decorated with a beautiful arrangement made by London-based florist, Bloom Of The Block that took inspiration from the Estonian landscape and the theme of forestry and foraging. With each chef coming all the way to Paris with food from their own local suppliers in Estonia, the Estonian feast was definitely one that I will remember for long. It started with a surprising dish of burnt green tomato, umami, chives and beef&fire oil, fermented fennel, ramson from NOA Restaurant – known for their attention to detail, passion and skill of cooking with fire.
Another amazing dish was Pädaste Manor’s foraged ingredients of venison, beetroot, chanterelles paired with Muhu Lõkits smoked red beer.
Vlad Dyatchuk from Tchaikovsky delighted us with an elegant and refined smoked sturgeon with cauliflower, caviar and horseradish sauce.
All courses were paired with Estonian beers to accentuate the flavours of each dish, something relatively new to the Parisian palate.
Discovering the Estonian culinary heritage and tradition with the country’s top chefs was a wonderful experience: it felt like being transported to the fields, fjords, lakes and forests of Estonia.
