A Lucky Veggie Find
Although not exclusively vegetarian, or vegan, the Von Krahli Aed has many hidden treasures in its menu to gladden the heart of any ‘plant eater’. And most secret of all is a ‘real’ Estonian vegan chef, which, considering I was told there is no word for ‘vegan’ in Estonian, is a very lucky find.
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Superlatives flow easily when describing this wonderful restaurant located in Tallinn’s historic picturesque ‘old town’ tourist area. But the superlatives must wait for the surprises.
Von Krahli Aed from the street
Von Krahli Aed outside
From the outside this restaurant looks stylish and perhaps slightly … er … up-market. The menu posted by the entrance promised ‘creamy brocolli soup’ and vegetarian options, so both my wife and I were ‘drawn’ in.
On entry the staff were efficient and perhaps even more stylish that the quirky interior décor. We were presented with beautiful bound English menus which continued the establishment’s strong design theme. Our waitress, Mariliisa – a fluent English speaker, looked and walked like a supermodel.
It’s open so go on in
Mariliisa at the Von Krahli Aed interior front bar
Von Krahli Aed menu cover
Well that’s enough scene setting, what about the surprises:
- The restaurant’s heavy design emphasis was not at the expense of comfort, rather it created an amtosphere of relaxed, enjoyable and unhurried dinning
- The staff where helpful, friendly and service focused. But, yes, our waitress Mariliisa had been a model and after travelling the world had come back to her home to live, work and study
- The food was fantastic, almost entirely organic, and at prices that were unbelievably good
Organic lemonade made in Germany
Yes, that’s all very good, but what about the food …
OK, OK I’m getting there! I considered the ‘Estonian Cheeses’ option. Mariliisa, however, enthusiastically, but tactfully, recommended the ‘Beet Cutlets’ because, as she said, I could enjoy Estonian Cheeses anywhere – but vegan Beet Cutlets was unique to their chef. I agreed and was delighted I accepted her guidance.
Von Krahli Aed postcard with address details and how to say I’m vegetarian in Estonian
Von Krahli Aed Vegetarian menu options – some of which are vegan as well
Von Krahli Aed stylish interior
If only I could afford Photoshop, I’d look more like George Clooney
Von Krahli Aed’s Beet cutlets a vegan choice
Desserts is stressed spelt backwards
The deserts menu included some vegan options such as The Chocolate Cake with warm cherry sauce and ice cream made from coconut milk.
I went for the Rhubarb Oat Cake and it was a very wise decision, but then anything on the Von Krahl’s menu probably is …
Von Krahl’s desserts some of which are vegan
Dark chocolate cake with hot cherry sauce and tarragon ice cream made with coconut milk so yes its vegan and wonderful
Mariliis with my dessert
Rhubarb oat cake fantastic
How to find Von Karhali Aed
At the time of writing this entry (July 2011) Von Krahl`s Garden is open
Monday-Saturday 12:00-00:00
Sunday 12:00-18:00
Rataskaevu 8, Tallinn
Telephone: +372 6269088
E-mail: aed@vonkrahl.ee
Von Krahli Aed location map from the vonkrahl.ee website
So would you go back to Estonia? When I spent a couple of weeks in Finland for the first time, in 2005, I liked it so much I considered emigrating there, learning the language and working as a translator. Then I discovered just how hard the Finnish language is… 8-(( … and changed my mind! I understand the Estonian language is closely related to Finnish… how did you cope with that?
Hi Mike
Oh yes we’d definitely go back Tallinn and hopefully other places in Estonia.
Yes, Estonian is tricky for English speakers but that just means locals are even more pleased when you try a few words. English appears to be increasingly spoken by younger people, and I was able to use my Russian with the Russian speakers.
I’ll be posting more entries about Estonian in the next few days.
Regards
Doug
Well ‘holiday’ Russian 😉
I didn’t know you spoke Russian?? You kept that quiet…
Presumably you had plenty of time to practise it on your journey on the Trans-Siberian “Express”…
There were quite a few Russians in Helsinki. I had the chance to go there for a long weekend, but the £70 tourist visa rather put me off!