Turku, Café/Brasserie Fontana

Fontana was once the best café in Turku. Back then it was privately owned, and had unique style. Unfortunately when the experienced lady who ran the place, retired and nobody continued her wonderful job with the café. Instead, restaurant chain Torre invaded the space - excellent location on Aurakatu, two hundred meters from market square Kauppatori - and made their own version of café. They kept the name Fontana, but expanded the business idea to brasserie style place. When it opened, I was utterly dissappointed. Not only was the interior pale and raw, their products and service didn't have the same unique style. Too much asked? Perhaps. But little things like personal style in decoration, sort of old Turku style with old furniture, and excellent selection of teas, made the old Fontana a special place. In one aspect the new Fontana made to top of my lists. But not in good way. They made the worst caffe latte I have ever tasted, anywhere, in every country.

But fortunately so, Fontana has now had a necessary face-lift, and is much better than it used to be for a few years. They embrace the brasserie side much better, and new interior is inviting. I still haven't tried if they make caffe latte better than they used to, but food and wine tastes good. Some little things can be bothering - like asking 2,50 for cup of tea, meaning: here is hot water, go and fetch your tea bag over there. Just around the corner you get tea made for you with 2 euros. And the marenque pastry I had, was dry and tastless. But if you are looking for brasserie, not just café, you might like current Fontana.

New look for Fontana.

Salads, sandwiches, other stuff to eat and consume.

As you may notice from this picture, small things can matter. Pieces of lunch buffet was left on chairs and floor. Not a view you want to watch when relaxing in café. I wanted to see if they take care of cleaning the place, so I didn't say a thing. For my disappointment, nothing was done, they didn't even wipe the table top; that was left for one customer to do, almost an hour from the point I sat down.

All in all, my boycott for Fontana has ended with the new look and direction. But because of those small things, it isn't my top favorite places. Good enough to visit once in a while though. Food is edible, everything fine there. And they sometimes have good wine, like Guigal's Côtes du Rhône. Sit down and relax, watch the views, still ones and the ones that move.