17.1.2019

SpaceTime: Golden Grill, Hansa food court, Turku, 12:30 lunch
Atmosphere: Open, bright, empty-ish, excellent view to the market square construction yard
Food: Pulled pork lunch burger with fries, extra cucumber mayo, pancake with jam and whipped cream
Price: 11.40€
Thoughts: I'm not sure if Golden Grill is somehow related to the Golden Rax pizza buffet or not, but the two restaurants are side by side, with a walkway between, they have Golden in the name and after eating the lunch burger, I believe the quality of food is equally mediocre.

The place has many customer seats in two stories overlooking the market square that is the heart of Turku. The place had very few customers to the space available.

The burger consisted of store-bought dry hamburger bun, generic pulled pork, non-descript mayo and vegetables. The fries were cooked right but had too much salt in them for my taste. The extra mayo I ordered and paid 1€ for was forgettable and came in a small shot glass, making it very hard to dip with a fork. They also served dessert coffee (which I skipped) and pieces of pancake with strawberry jam and very stiff industrial whipped cream.

I ate the entire dish, but was not especially impressed by it. If I want to nurse my soul with sinful food that blocks my arteries if over-consumed, I want the pleasure I derive from such a portion be much higher than what I experienced here. For a lunch burger, one of the weaker ones.

16.1.2019

SpaceTime: Mami, Turku, 13pm lunch
Atmosphere: Lively, stylish, friendly
Food: BBQ ribs (boneless) with potato, mayo-sauce, vinegary mini-salad, basket of bread with cream cheese spread
Price: 10.50
Thoughts: Mami is down by the river and offers a splendid view for diners facing the windows. They offer several lunch options with coffee and separate dessert on the menu.

The staff was quick to serve and friendly. The food was tasty. The roasted potatoes had a mild herb seasoning and a nice floury texture. The meat was overcooked to super-juicy and coated in a barbecue sauce. The mayo fit well with the other flavors. The mini-salad was a fresh and zingy balance to the greasy meat. This was how you'd expect bbq ribs with mayo and taters to taste like, nothing annoying about it. The presentation was not the most amazing, but definitely not hideous. The extra basket of bread was an unusual touch, but the bread was also fresh and yummy.

Based on this experience, I would go back again for lunch with a similar price point and equally nice serving experience.

7.1.2019

SpaceTime: Bowler, bowling alley, downtown Turku, 11am lunch
Atmosphere: Busy to the max, lively, dim lights
Food: Buffet table with salad, salmon pasta, pork, sweet potato fries with white sauce, bread, "dessert"
Price: 10.40€
Thoughts: The year 2019 is off to a rocky start with this unlikely buffet. The dimly lit dining room overlooking bowling alley lines is teeming with diners. The kitchen is having trouble keeping up with the demand.

The food itself is a mixed bag. The salad table does not have the most varied selection. The oven eggplant thing is overly salty. The fries have been murdered with salt, in addition to being constantly out-of-stock. The pork is plain but alright. The salmon pasta is greasy and messy, but edible. The "dessert" is what I can only describe as stale or curdled whipped cream in a cup with sour thawed berries, not very appetizing.

I dig the lighting. Other than that, there are several other buffets in close proximity (such as Julinia or Fontana Cafe) with tastier and more high quality foods. Based on this experience, I would rather go with any of them.

27.11.2018

SpaceTime: Foija, downtown Turku, lunchtime
Atmosphere: Quiet, dark, stylish
Food: Pork with sauce, veggies, potatoes, rich salad buffet with bread
Price: 15€
Thoughts: Foija seems to offer a sophisticated fine-dine-ish lunch plate. Flavors are alright and I dig the dimly lit cellar dining space. One of the most expensive lunches I've had so far, but a good one.