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POSTED: NEW, 2008 Lordi Rocktaurant Review after the remodel and new chef
I’ve now seen everything. A couple nights ago I went to the new Rovaniemi Restaurant called Lordi’s Rocktaurant. Those who aren’t familiar with the group (which I wasn’t until my 80s hair band fanatic of a boyfriend educated me on this type of music) Lordi is a Finnish band from Rovaniemi who won the Eurovision competition in 2006 and will be on the Ozzfest tour this summer. About six months ago they opened up a restaurant in Rovaniemi, Finland that is really a sight to see- it’s like nothing I have ever seen before. Below you’ll find a review of this restaurant (or should I say Rocktaurant) as well as photos. You can view more photos of the restaurant on my flickr account.
Review:
The Atmosphere: This is the main reason for people to come. It is really like no other place. You walk in to the restaurant and are greeted by 80s music (both good and bad depending on your taste in music) and a bunch of scary mannequins of the band members. The tables were like knights and castles type of feeling. (the photos help describe this) There is no hostess or waiter to greet you, you just walk in and pick a seat. The bar downstairs was really cool but it wasn’t open yet. We just walked around. Kind of a basement type area with lots of band photos and memorabilia on the walls- all stuff out of the 80s. (Matti was quite at home) They serve cider so I’m on board. But, again, it wasn’t open.
The Service: One important thing to note, if you are American and used to the fast pace of our restaurant and service industry you’ll be caught off guard. Finland is not a big eating out culture the way we are in the U.S.- you just have to be patient and go with it. You will get your food! That being said. Waiters don’t come serve you but rather you pick up a menu and are given specific instructions on the table to walk up and place your order when you’re ready. This is just my opinion but this seems to be more of laziness of the employees than doing us a service…but that could also be my American restaurant going background. The place was not busy in the least and at a sit down restaurant I would never expect to get up and place my order…again, these are my opinions
Monster’s Disco Hell Bar (downstairs)
The Menu/Food: You can view on the website the full menu but just a review on what we all ordered. (there was English on the menu which was a plus!) You order your meal and you pick a sauce. This process of sauce picking was not explained well. I was not aware of what my sauce was for- the chicken, the salad, on top, on the side. I got the chicken and ordered tomato sauce because it was the only one that I recognized next to Garlic (and again, I didn’t know how it was going to be served). The chicken was great but it is not meant to be served with tomato sauce! I could eat it but will never do that again. The salad had peppers, onions, etc. in it. Matti and his friend ordered the kebabs which they LOVED- both licked their plates clean! Another one of our friends ordered the flat bread- the consensus around the table was that it had no taste. I didn’t try it but they all said it just didn’t taste like anything- not bad, not good, just no flavor (heavy air I called it). Pricing on the items was cheap compared to other restaurants in Finland- our total bill for the chicken and Matti’s Kebab was about 23 euros ($26 or so). We were full but I wasn’t stuffed. Matti and his friend with their kebabs were STUFFED! Oh and your salad can be served on a plate or in a skull bowl like I have below…
Location: I would say the biggest struggle this place will experience is a small location. Rovaniemi is a rather small city and the band is not quite at the level of stardom to have people coming from all over to experience the restaurant experience. though the band is from the town, after a while the atmosphere will not be able to drive customers…it will rest on food and service which…I don’t think will do it. After you get past the atmosphere (which I still haven’t) it is just a regular place with okay food.
Overall: For a tourist it is a must because it is just so crazy inside and a real visual experience. They need to improve service and food offerings for it to make it.
If you had a different (better or worse) experience feel free to post a comment. My boyfriend loved it because he loved the food, he’s local and loves that type of music (and the lead singer is an good friend of his brother’s). His review would probably be different. So, take it as you will and if you go…take a camera!!
For more information about Lordi’s Rocktaurant view my flickr photos and my video page for more visuals!
You can also:
- LEAVE A COMMENT on Frozen-Reindeer about your experiences at the restaurant
- View the Rocktaurant website
Hei Hei and Hyvaa Ruokahalua (Bon Appetit!)
Technorati Tags: Finland, Lapland, Lordi, Finnish Food, Restaurant, Rocktaurant, Rovaniemi, Travel
Santa Claus Village rests in the town of Rovaniemi, Finland directly crossing through the Arctic Circle Line. I met Santa Claus in Santa Claus Village in the winter of 2003 during my first trip to Rovaniemi. The grounds of the village play Christmas music all day long and in winter there are countless children, parents and other visitors spread across the miles of snow and the smell of Christmas in the air. For someone who loves the Christmas season as much as I do, it really is the most wonderful place in the world (yes, better than Disneyland!) Be sure to read the introduction of Santa Claus village below and click on the link to the website that follows (you can view the live webcam there 24/7- Matti and I will be making an appearance later this week, we’ll keep you posted! 
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VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS IN FLICKR
Santa Claus lives in Lapland, in the north of Finland. You can meet him any day of the year in Rovaniemi, in Santa Claus’ Village on the Arctic Circle.
Santa’s secret getaway is in the East of Lapland, on the Korvatunturi Fell, where he was first spotted in the 1920’s. The secluded area of Korvatunturi, impossible to reach by anyone else, is situated on the border between Finland and Russia. Mrs. Claus lives there, and so do the elves that prepare the gifts. The Korvatunturi Fell is 483 metres high, and is the shape of an ear. With the unique shape of the fell, Santa can listen to all the children around the world.
As early as in the 1950’s Santa would often enjoy visiting the Arctic Circle near the town of Rovaniemi, not only on Christmas but all throughout the year, to visit both children and child-like. By 1985, his visits had become so regular that he founded his own village there. Today, his village includes Santa Claus’ Office and Santa Claus’ Main Post Office as well as the reindeer park nearby.
Santa Claus comes to the Santa Claus Village every day of the year to listen to children’s wishes and to talk to people from all over the world.
http://www.santaclausvillage.info/eng/main.htm
I received an email recently with an excerpt from the U.S. Library of Congress about Memorial Day (U.S.) and I thought it fitting to share on the blog (because I am an American and this is an important holiday in the U.S.). I’m not political in the least and not the biggest supporter of wars in general but I am proud to be an American and appreciate the sacrifices others have made for my freedom in the United States.
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B8172- 6403 DLC (b&w film neg.)]Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 – 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays).
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.
There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50′s on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye’s Heights.
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”
Technorati Tags: Memorial Day
Notice a full page of new posts, photos and videos- It’s been a busy few days in Finland! You probably notice a difference in the website as well (no you’re eyes aren’t fooling you)-I made some modifications to the layout and have some links added to the side with more cool stuff on the way. Nothing has changed all that much otherwise, same pages but the order is a little off- I can’t seem to get the programming right to get it out of alphabetical order…working on it.
I’m working on my thesis all week so I’ll post when I get the chance. I have a few treats in store with Santa Claus ready to post for tomorrow if I get around to it (shot the video and photos today).
If you don’t like the website modification or if you particularly like it, post a comment and let me know what you like or what you want different or just sit back and continue reading! Also, be sure to check back for my last few posts from Finland. This is our last week in Rovaniemi and we head to Helsinki next Monday for a few days before heading back to the states! Enjoy ‘em!
Hei Hei,
-Angela
So, today I did something I don’t normally do…ever…but I highly recommend for visitors or locals in Finland for some great fresh air and good views. There is a trail about 15 miles away from Rovaniemi, Finland called Vaattunkikongas that is absolutely beautiful. Matti and I went to the trail today for a few hours to walk through the first mile or so, grill some hot dogs and take some video and photos
A quick review for those thinking about going: the trails are an easy walk- you can do it in tennis shoes. It was really sunny and dry so all we needed were jeans and a semi-warm jacket (wind proof is best) because the altitude is a tad higher. We went around 11am in late May and there were kind of a lot of people there and leaving at that time. Not sure the best time to go when it is a little emptier. We spent time lounging in front of the fire with our hot dogs and were joined by another couple and saw about four pass by. Again though, very beautiful!! ENJOY!
So, last Friday Matti and I headed out to his old “battle” grounds from when he was in the Finnish army (a requirement for all men in Finland to serve at least six months after turning 18). The Air Force was having an air show. I’ve never been much of a plane person but it was something I had never seen before, even in the U.S. so we went. Not sure if anything I could say would do it justice since I no nothing about planes so check out the photos below and the video and enjoy!! Feel free to email or post questions and Matti can answer (because I don’t know anything more than the fact that these are planes and they fly fast!)
VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE ROVANIEMI, FINLAND AIR SHOW
So, this bridge, to me, is the most beautiful place in the entire city of Rovaniemi, especially if you can catch it in the right lighting (summer is the best). The bridge is called the Jätkänkynttilä bridge and is one of the most important symbols of Rovaniemi. It runs over the Kemijoki close the northern end of the city center. Bridge has a high pylon with bright yellow light on top. I tried to find more information on the bridge but the majority is just photos. If anyone knows who built it, when, etc. please post and share. It is beautiful, here are some photos, look for more on flickr and check out my short video of it. BEAUTIFUL!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO of Jätkänkynttilä BRIDGE
Technorati Tags: Finland, Jätkänkynttilä, Rovaniemi, Rovaniemi bridge
So, Rovaniemi, Finland is home to some GREAT food. I love reindeer stew, I LOVE Finnish pastries and I LOVE GoldenCap cider. But, for someone who might not travel often or be very adventurous with food in foreign countries you’ll be happy to know that, at least for Americans, there are some “domestic” offerings in terms of food. One of which just came to town- Subway (hot and cold sandwiches for those who haven’t had it). Apparently, Helsinki has had Subway for a little while but it has just made its way north to Rovaniemi. We’ve been twice now. Food tastes the same it might just be a while before they reach the speed of service!
In addition to Subway, you can also have the opportunity to eat at the northern most McDonald’s in the world. From previous experience the food is definitely healthier (you can’t smell the sweet aroma of greasy french fries as you walk in) But…if you’re itching for a small taste of the golden arches and are interested in a very authentic home of Santa Claus environment (check out the antlers on the wall), McDonald’s in Rovaniemi, Finland is the place- the coffee is pretty good too!
Technorati Tags: Rovaniemi Subway, Rovaniemi, Rovaniemi McDonald’s
Hi everyone, took a couple days off to finish up a chapter on my thesis and do some work for my job. Few days ahead should bring 4 or 5 more videos, photos, a couple AMAZING experiences and I think Santa might turn up on Monday or Tuesday. Have a lovely weekend and check back for more!
Hei Hei
-Angela
See views of a Rovaniemi, Finland neighborhood below then head over the video page for more footage with more to come. I think Santa Claus might show up soon!
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Rovaniemi, Finland Neighborhood (suburb) Video Shots
