Restaurant Esmes' Kitchen is a Chef's Heaven

LUE SUOMEKSI

Restaurant Esmes brings the vibrant restaurant culture of New York and Berlin to Punavuori, Helsinki. Guests can watch the chefs at work by a 10-meter oak counter, the atmosphere indulges all the senses, and the menu is constantly evolving. At the heart of the concept is Dieta's unique kitchen. Concurrently, the restaurant replaced the old kitchen equipment in exchange for compensation.

What differentiates a restaurant from the rest isn't just the food, but also the atmosphere and service—the specific something that keeps guests coming back. At Esmes, the defining element and space divider is the massive oak counter that brings the guests and chefs together. Watching professionals at work is part of the experience and the restaurant's enchanting ambiance.

"Since customers can see directly into our kitchen, it must be functional and presentable down to the smallest detail. The bar was set high, also because I'm a visual person, not only in food but also in interior design. Also, I've cooked in all kinds of kitchens for over 15 years, so I know what works and what doesn't," says Dani Hänninen, one of Restaurant Esmes' founders.

Kitchen Design for a Demanding Taste

The experienced professionals at Esmes knew precisely what kind of kitchen equipment they wanted. Another requirement was that the colour scheme had to match the rest of the interior. With less than eight weeks until opening, action had to be taken quickly.
"From the start, we were on the same wavelength with Dieta, and we were able to get everything we needed easily from a single supplier," Hänninen says.

The kitchen delivery included planning, installation, and commissioning. First, Dieta transformed Hänninen's hand-drawn kitchen plan into a ready-to-execute 3D model, including HVAC requirements. The plan was quickly agreed upon, after which the team selected the still-usable kitchen equipment from the restaurant that had previously operated in the space.
"Dieta handled the removal of the appliances we no longer needed and credited them in the purchase price. It was an easy solution, and the circular economy is important to us," Hänninen notes.

The kitchen equipment delivery included, among other things, refrigerated and heated drawer units, refrigerators, stainless steel furnishings, and a compact countertop oven. In addition, the bar received Dieta's Relife equipment, including a speciality coffee grinder. The delivery also came with a maintenance agreement.

"We wanted everything in the kitchen to be black, down to the stainless-steel surfaces. Dieta was able to meet our needs in this as well. It is worth investing in high-quality, easy-to-use kitchen equipment, because without a functional kitchen, a restaurant simply can't be profitable. It would also be desirable for more restaurants to pay attention to the appearance of their kitchens," Hänninen adds.

Ready for the ppening, right on time

Restaurant Esmes is a prime example of how seamless collaboration and the courage to do things in your own way can create a truly unique result. Hänninen's dream of a chef's paradise came to life—on schedule, with style, and without compromising on quality.

"During my career, I've opened several restaurants and chosen suppliers with both good and bad outcomes. At times, I've finished kitchens even on the last night before opening, but not this time. With Dieta, everything was handled smoothly, even though our schedule and requirements were strict. They are a potential partner for us in the future as well," Hänninen says.

Restaurant Esmes | Iso-Roobertinkatu 24, 00120 Helsinki

Customer benefits in brief:

• Time savings: a turnkey delivery from design to installation with a single partner

• Profitability: a practical and durable kitchen helps ensure ROI

• Easy recycling of old equipment: credit for old devices and removal as a service

• Expertise in execution: a striking and unique kitchen delivery that stands out

• Maintenance agreement: optimal equipment functionality and extended lifecycle.