The Finnish Institute has offered up a dining Space in a disused warehouse in Islington as a treat to the London Design Festival and Hell Yes! I am glad that we made it to this pop up before it disappears for good.
The warehouse is mostly used for big clearance sales, so we didn’t really know what to expect and when we arrived it looked completely deserted and desolate. Apart from the image of the upside down hare on the entrance there was absolutely no clue to the surprise that lay ahead.
At the entrance we were greeted by an innocent looking transvestite fairy in white while evocative black and white images played on two screens on either side the door. And then our pulses quickened as through the open door we caught a glimpse of the new and exciting world beyond.
An ephemeral creature, a mixture of bat and fish presides over the space. There’s a magical feel to the space, it’s intimate and so beautiful, I had goosebumps just being there. Some of the round tables had gazebo like canopies made out small trees, and there were candles everywhere in the daytime. It’s all done with such flair and attention to detail that it seems a complete travesty that this place will be taken apart in a matter of weeks.
The food came from a large blond wood food station in one corner of the space and the other corner had tent like lounging areas and I even spotted a DJ station for evening events. There was only one three course menu option with two choices for each course and the food was simple, delicious and tasted very authentic, albeit service was a bit slow. The waiting staff were helpful and managed to accommodate us even though we arrived without reservations. They looked chic and comfortable in their especially designed uniforms which were tunics of either black or a gorgeous shade of off white worn over skinnies with Finnish folk dancing shoes.
To add another layer to the story of Hel Yes!, all the Ittala china used has been accumulated by a plate swap scheme run in Helsinki in which people were invited to trade their plates for a complimentary dinner.
No stone has been left unturned in the pursuit of a rich, multi dimensional experience here, it is a feast for all the senses and I am sure that this is going to be one of the big triumphs of this year’s festival. I left with great admiration for Finnish design, food and culture and of course the desire to return which will now probably remain unfulfilled. Even the little publication that accompanies the installation is beautifully put together with great images, graphics and recipes for some of the dishes we ate. If only we could put this much thought and effort into the more permanent things we create, the world would be a much better place.
www.helyes.fi
Hel Yes! at the London Newcastle Depot on Wenlock Road
Just can’t wait to try this – sounds fantastic – maybe if they get enough support they will be persuaded to do something permanent?
that would be brilliant, wish there were more places like this all over!