I got emotional over a mushroom risotto during my lunch break. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, as I've never teared up over food before in my life. Yet there I was, sitting with moist eyes, while my colleague Miika looked on in confusion from across the table. Luckily, I wasn't left alone with the matter, as our colleague Hanna also got emotional over a gluten-free pancake at the very same Bistro & Bar Miljöö. Can excellent food alone cause this kind of feeling of contentment? I concluded that it can't, and decided to find out the secret to the success of this neighborhood bistro in Töölö from the people themselves.
Natural light floods in through Miljöö’s large windows, gently enhancing the harmonious color palette of the interior. The skillfully designed décor, ambient lighting, and the warm glances from the staff invite you to linger. A water damage incident last spring forced the bistro to close its doors for several months, but it also provided the opportunity for a complete makeover of the space. After the renovation, Miljöö feels like it’s been reborn, and the bistro now truly shines in its own essence.
I sit down with entrepreneur Ari Zerza and restaurant manager Ilona Poutiainen. "We’re a welcoming bistro, where everyone is invited, from babies to grandparents," Ilona chimes in. "An honest neighborhood bistro. Vegans, vegetarians, meat-eaters, gluten-free diets—we cater to everyone," Ari adds.
Miljöö’s menu is updated regularly, always in line with the seasons. Right now, mushrooms and autumnal flavors take center stage. The goal is to make as much of the food from scratch as possible; for instance, the broths used in the dishes are prepared directly in Miljöö’s kitchen. As a customer, I’m particularly pleased with the high-quality vegetarian dishes and the restaurant's skillful use of spices. "We create food with a Finnish twist," Ari explains.
With the renovation, Miljöö’s bar counter was relocated, creating a cozy bar corner in the bistro. "You can drop by just for a drink," Ilona says with a smile. The bar has 20 seats, and you can order tapas to accompany your drink. The drink supplies on the shelf against the back wall sparkle in their vibrant colors, and there’s no doubt that the bar offers a wide selection. "We’ve got wines, sparkling wines, and champagnes. Like the food menu, the cocktail list also changes with the seasons," Ari points out.
In the middle of our conversation, Ari's gaze drifts outside the window as he waves to an acquaintance walking down the street. Over the years, he has become familiar with the people of Töölö. Ari's roots are in Kosovo, where he began working in the restaurant industry at the age of 14. The war drove the young man out into the world; first to Germany and later to Finland. "I started as a dishwasher, completed my training as a restaurant and bar manager, and then worked in hotels in Helsinki," Ari shares.
Ari is a genuine example of how believing in your dreams can take you far. Every stage of life, every low and high, has led Miljöö's entrepreneur toward his dream: “I have always wanted to own my own restaurant. That has always been the goal. I found the right people at the right time who guided me in this direction. We built a few restaurants and bars together, and then I got the opportunity for my own restaurant.”
Ari's experience in the industry is evident. “You learn from those you work with. I and all the employees at Miljöö have learned a lot from Ari,” Ilona says gratefully. “Ari does the same work as everyone else—washing dishes, managing the kitchen, and serving customers.” Respect and equality are palpable. The Miljöö team is literally on the same level. “People spend most of their day at work. Under Miljöö’s roof, we’re like one family,” Ari states.
This mindset is also reflected in the customer service, which is undeniably top-notch at Miljöö. “We aim to chat with all our customers. We meet our customers and ask how they’re doing. That’s one of the main principles of customer service at Miljöö: you shouldn’t be in such a hurry that you can’t take the time to engage with the customer.”
Ilona, Ari’s right-hand woman, ended up in the restaurant industry quite by accident, as she puts it. “My mother and my godmother are in the restaurant business and have always told me not to enter the field,” Ilona laughs. However, summer jobs in festival serving areas drew her in, and before long, Ilona found herself studying the industry. Good thing too, I think to myself as I observe Ilona's unique approach to her work.
During her commutes, Ilona enjoys music, which is also an important part of Miljöö’s atmosphere. Currently, a laid-back indie folk playlist fills the air, created at Ilona’s request by Matti, the music coordinator from Feelment. “I really enjoy that we can switch up the music,” Ilona says. The music tablet provided by Feelment is conveniently placed near the bar so that switching playlists and adjusting the volume can be done quickly. The background music is adapted to the clientele; the playlists change depending on whether the bistro is filled with younger or slightly older guests.
There are moments in life when something small and ordinary makes you truly happy. When I’m at Miljöö, it feels as if every member of the bistro staff has captured these moments from their lives—and then released them all under one roof. The service, the food, and the atmosphere all reflect small fragments of happiness. When everything is so richly perfect, one can’t help but get emotional over the mushroom risotto.
Before I leave, Ari shares the story of the wall clock that decorates Miljöö’s interior. It is the only tangible memento from his childhood. As the entrepreneur’s gaze turns to the clock, it reminds him of his own parents. “I owe a thank you for every day to my mother and father, even though they are no longer here.”
While time moves on, my time at Miljöö feels momentarily suspended. It’s just right here, just like this.
“Veal Wiener schnitzel. It has been a long-time favorite for years. The house burger is also really good and unique; it comes with apple jam. We keep a couple of burgers on the menu since they’re a safe option for many. Right now, veal liver has also been popular because we offer a proper steak,” Ilona explains. “Fish dishes are popular too,” Ari adds.
“When we were thinking about a name, we noticed that all our customer feedback mentioned the atmosphere. The phrase 'lovely atmosphere' kept coming up, and that’s where it came from. Miljöö captures everything in one word. It’s also easy to pronounce from a foreigner’s perspective.”
“Your service is really good, and the price-to-quality ratio is spot on. The value for money with Feelment is a solid 10+,” Ari comments. “We’re super satisfied with Feelment. Working with you is really easy. If there’s any problem, we can always ask. It’s great that you’re close to our office and can come by. If needed, Matti will march behind the counter to adjust the music and make sure everything is in order. Feelment is the easiest and most pleasant background music partner we’ve ever had,” Ilona shares.