A chef at great heights
Priit Toomits, head chef at Tallinn’s TV Tower, is one of Estonia’s most well known chefs. His kitchen sits at a height of 175 metres.
Priit Toomits has worked at the restaurant since its opening. The menu brings together his previous experience with different cuisines and local Estonian ingredients. “Ideas come from all over the internet, from other restaurant menus”, explains Toomits. But new creations can be made in Estonia. “In Saaremaa, almost every other wild plant is edible”.
“Now, since export to Russia has stopped, we have to be as patriotic as possible. I am more than happy to support local farming”.
A part of their cooperative partners are small producers who try to bring in produce regularly. They use local game. “The moose is definitely local”, confirms Toomits.
The chef worries however: “If economic development continues as it is, then in ten years we will serve imported food and speak English in the kitchen. Estonian schools fail to teach adequate skills in this area”.
Priit Toomits certainly agrees that cooking should be introduced to the school curriculum.
While we spoke, Toomits offered a taste of his winter menu,which included salted herring fillet served with beetroot cream, pickled beetroot and cucumber, quail egg, mayo and potato. “In winter, we must eat Estonian pork”, he says. The main course was a stewed pork shoulder with stewed cabbage with juniper, potato-cauliflower puree and demi glace.
The three course menu costs €30 without drinks, and €50 with drinks.
Location
Brasserie & Restaurant Teletorn
Kloostrimetsa tee 58 A, Tallinn
Buses: 34A, 38, and 49, as well as City Tour and City Sightseeing buses.
TEXT MIKKO SAVIKKO, PHOTOS ANDREI CHERTKOV
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