Iina Thieulon is a journalist, wine magazine editor and visual content producer and manager. She manages the Finnish wine magazine Viinilehti. She has worked with magazines and book publishing for 25 years, mostly about food and wine. Her husband Niki Thieulon is one of the owners of the BasBas restaurants in Helsinki, where she’s also worked. She describes herself as a wine lover always on the lookout for new wine experiences.
Please tell a little bit about yourself.
I'm a journalist and magazine editor. I think I'm more of a visual content producer and manager. I also work as a editor in chief at the Finnish Magazine Viinilehti, which is the only wine magazine in Finland. I have done quite a lot of magazine and book publishing for 25 years, mostly about food and wine. My husband Niki Thieulon is one of the owners of the BasBas restaurants in Helsinki, where I’ve also worked. I would also describe myself as a wine lover always on the lookout for new wine experiences. Working at my husband’s restaurant teached me a lot in many ways, not only about wine, but also about life, people, passion and professional skills.
What are you currently working on?
I'm working as the editor in chief of Viinilehti wine magazine, I've been doing that for three and half years. One thing I’m focusing on in my work is spreading wine culture in Finland and also making it a part of everyday life - there’s still a lot to do in that field. I also work as a content creator and I help my husband’s restaurants with some of their communication.
What are your favourite restaurants in Helsinki?
Le Grec
I love Le Grec, and the delicious Mediterranean food they serve – something I could eat every day. There are lots of small plates to share. The wine list is only Greek, which is really nice: not too wide, but really, really balanced, with lovely staff. And, as a bonus, there are great cocktails – remarkable for me, because I’m not usually into cocktails, yet theirs are super-nice.
Bona Fide
Dinner at Bona Fide is always a delight. The cooking is top-level, and the warmth and personality show in every ingredient, in the food, interior and the service. There’s always some surprising element in the dishes, and I’ve never laughed and smiled so much eating my food as in Bona Fide. I’ve never laughed and smiled so much eating my food as in Bona Fide. The wine list isn’t extensive, but it’s done with a clear idea, and the prices are almost ridiculously cheap – in the best sense.
Kuurna
Kuurna, a twenty-year old classic. We’ve been going there since the beginning; it’s our traditional Monday date place and it feels like going home. The 3 + 3 + 3 menu hasn’t changed in years, and they always add nice extras. I’d say Kuurna is the most Parisian Helsinki bistro.
Goose
One of my all time favourites in Helsinki. They serve world class fresh pasta dishes combined in a beautiful way with an interior reminding me of Aki Kaurismäki’s movie aestethics. This restaurant concept would be a hit anywhere in the world, and it’s funny that this restaurant is located on the sleepier part of Eerikinkatu in Helsinki. The atmosphere, the kind service and the food - love it.
Luovuus Kukkii Kaaoksesta
LKK has very personal, friendly service. Nothing is done without courage and passion, and there are no compromises regarding produce. Great bottles of wine are opened all the time - every visit is hedonistic daydream. If you’re lucky, you can just slide in at the bar or standing by the window – I’ve enjoyed many dinners there.
What are your three favorite food cities and your favorite restaurants in those cities?
Nice
La Part des Anges isn’t a restaurant, but a wine bar and bottle shop that changed my life and my palate. I met the owner, Olivier Labarde, fifteen years ago, and he knows all the great wine producers. That friendship let me dive deep into French wine. It’s my home address in Nice – we go there every time. The shop is open all day and there’s always some good snacks and dishes on the bar menu.
Le Canon serves great food. Sébastien Perinetti, who owns it, loves Italy; the cooking is wonderfully raw and honest and he sources the best produce from France and Italy. The wines in the cellar have been picked with love and care.
Lavomatique is one of the most interesting and fun dining spots in the Old town: a long bar counter, plenty of action and relaxed and heart-warming service. The food is simple—you can get grilled things with a few clever Middle Eastern twists – and the natural-wine list is really good. Earlier this year, Lavomatique opened a wine bar and bottle shop next door, called Cave Tambour, which quickly became one of the most popular apéro places in the Old town.
La Merenda is the classic in the old town of Nice. I’ve been going for twenty-five years. We always share the starters: the ratatouille is divine, the tomato tart is great, the pistou pasta is a favourite, and the courgette flowers in summer are perfect. Everything is great.
Paris
Vivant 2 is pure joy. You walk in, everyone’s talking, and the music – eighties and nineties hits – starts playing, so the restaurant never takes itself too seriously. I love eating at the bar; the food is so delicious I once cried over a pigeon dish.
Déviant is a bar restaurant with no bookings. The vibe is cool and the food is delicious.
Dandelion opened a year ago and went straight into my favourites. Every detail is thought through: it’s cozy, heart-warming, and you feel at home right away.
Le Verre Volé is a cultural-heritage kind of place for all natural wine fand visiting Paris. Simple. Quite traditional menu that never fails.
Le Clown Bar was my favourite for ages: I don’t go there too often nowadays, but I’m still nostalgic for it. It’s one of the few restaurants where I’ve eaten the same dish as an appetizer, main course and dessert - the calf’s brain in dashi broth, ginger and chives. That could well be my last meal.
Septime La Cave is the classic Paris spot for apéro. It always delivers.
Huitrerie Régis is the best spot to have oyster lunch in Paris. Super fresh sea food and great wine list.
Stockholm
Sushi Sho is simply damned good: perfect fish, great produce, and such a relaxed vibe.
I love Agnes, maybe because they have a long bar counter, and a homey atmosphere. The menu is a mix of Mediterranian style dishes, well made and delicious. And there is a great wine list.
Babette was my first love among the natural wine restaurants in Stockholm. It’s always packed and busy, with great dishes and pizzas.
Café Nizza is the perfect Sunday lunch place – the laid-back vibe is unbeatable.
Bar Nimes is Kim Öhman's lovely and relaxed bistro that takes you to a quick trip to Southern France, with strong Italian vibes – which are very typical in local cuisine. Wonderful fresh starters and absolutely delicious homemade pastas. Rustic, well-made country food.
Folii's wine list is ridiculously great. You just cannot help but wondering how on earth so many hard-to-find natural rarities ended up there. An amazing place for an aperitif. Next door you can find excellent Voisine bistro, where you can bring the bottle opened in Folii. Bonus points to Voisine for its cordial service and Sunday opening hours.
Which is your favorite wine region, and one favourite restaurant that you enjoy there?
All wine regions are spectacular in their own way, but there is something magical about the rolling greenery of Barolo. Instead of fancy local restaurants, my absolute favorite place for lunch is Vinoteca Centro Storico in Serralunga. The carne cruda there is second to none and the wine list is fantastic.
Is there an up-and-coming chef or sommelier you’re keeping an eye on?
Among some rising chef stars in Helsinki, Nadim Nasser at the newly opened restaurant Shii is one to watch. He has a great palate and understanding of pure, high quality produce and I think he will go far.
Which wine expert’s restaurant recommendations would you love to see?
I’d love to hear the recommendations of sommelier Juli Carrique, who works at Barabba and Bar Vitrine in Copenhagen. She’s just great and super knowledgeable, and I’d love to follow her advice.
