Gloria (French) - Tallinn, Estonia (9.5/10)
Dec 27th, 2006 by admin
While researching Tallinn’s restaurant scene for a six day visit over Christmas, I came across Gloria, ‘one of the world’s top 100 restaurants’ according to Conde Nast Traveller. Open since 1937, various world leaders and even a Pope have dined here at this most exclusive of restaurants. Furthermore, it has a superb wine cellar, considered to be one of the best in the Baltic region.
Unsure as to whether I’d be able to reserve a table with only a few weeks’ notice, I emailed the restaurant, supplying all my dates in Tallinn, and fortunately managed to secure a table for two on the day after Boxing Day, which was also our last evening in Tallinn.
The setting was sumptuous art deco, and we were seated in one of about eight private ‘booths’ enveloped in plush red velvet curtain, which could have comfortably seated six people. It certainly transported us back in time to glamorous pre-war Old Europe. The service was excellent, although we had to wait quite a while for our courses because of a large party in another section of the restaurant. This gave us time to enjoy the experience however, and the food was well worth the wait.
I had a sensational starter of caviar and smoked salmon with blinis and a main course of some very tender, pink lamb chops, while my husband had amazing grilled white fish. The red wine was wonderful, and after the meal, we went down to inspect the wine cellar (with around 2000 labels in stock), where people can also have a light meal.
The verdict?
The total bill for two dining a la carte, with three courses each, came to under £100.00. Considering that this was a once in a lifetime experience, and perfectly ordinary meals easily cost this much in cities like London and Paris, it was excellent value for money. Highly, highly recommended. I have given this 9.5 simply because of the long wait for the food. Otherwise this could have been a 10 - perfection.
Other restaurants in Tallinn that are good - Olde Hansa and Peppersack, both medieval themed.
10 - Perfection, 9.5 - Sensational, 9 - Outstanding, 8.5 - Superb,
8 - Excellent, 7.5 - Very Good, 7 - Good, 6.5 - Above Average, 6 - Average
All the Estonia restaurant reviews on World Foodie Guide
Contact Details:
Gloria
2 Müürivahe
10146 Tallinn
Tel: +372 6446 950
gloria@gloria.ee
www.gloria.ee
I am very happy to have found your blog as I have recently started up a Foodie site myself. I would like to exchange links as well as take some tips from you on foodie blogging. I have been a bit lazy in not taking pictures but they certainly give a better impression on the food and decor. Let me know if you are willing to list my blog on your site and have a great day.
I only recently found your blog and it was with delight that I read your review of one of Tallinn’s finest restaurants. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to Tallinn and I hope some day you will return in the summer or autumn and visit our island - Saaremaa. We have a few nice restaurants here in Kuressaare as well, although non quite like Gloria.
Martha - hello! Thanks for reading my review of Gloria. I’m so embarrassed about the photos, which means I need to go back to Tallinn soon. And when I do, Saaremaa sounds like a lovely island to visit. I’ll have to spend more time reading your blog to learn more about it. Gloria’s for special occasions, I don’t eat like that very often!
Keep in touch and I will too…
Helen Yuet Ling