Restaurant Rataskaevu 16, Tallinn, Estonia

There are many things that reliably go right when we are on vacation, but an area that we often fall short on is the meal on the first night. Not so in Tallinn. We managed to find a small neighborhood grocery store and buy a few things to snack on within a few blocks from our apartment, and then we went to this restaurant, which was one of a handful that were recommended by the apartment managers. It was a wonderful introduction to the trip, and a very enjoyable meal.

In addition to trying a local beer, a local spirit, and a digestif made by an aging actress who performed in a theater down the street in her heyday, we had two things that are hallmarks of the cuisine of the region--a brown bread filled with seeds, and a fish soup. These dishes were delicious, traditional, and at the same time updated and fresh. The western European and Scandanavian sensibility is very appealing, and this was the end of a great first day.