Restaurant Jason is the first fully independent restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Jari Vesivalo, which opened its doors on Yrjönkatu in Helsinki in October 2024.

At Restaurant Jason, the focus is on warm, welcoming service, ensuring every guest feels at home. Jason emphasizes craftsmanship and carefully selected ingredients that reflect the closeness to nature typical of Nordic cuisine, combined with Asian flavors. The menu is based on carefully chosen, seasonal ingredients such as local game and fresh seafood. Visitors can expect a comprehensive experience – welcome to enjoy something special in the heart of Helsinki! Nicknamed Jason since he was a young boy, Jari Vesivalo is best known for his long career in top Helsinki restaurants. Many remember him most notably as the long-time leader of the Michelin-starred restaurant Olo. Now, that nickname has taken on new meaning, as Vesivalo has opened his own restaurant on Yrjönkatu in Helsinki – a long-time dream that has become a 60-seat, cozy, and stylish restaurant. Restaurant Jason is the perfect choice for a relaxed evening out, offering a unique dining experience where delicious food, a pleasant atmosphere, and moderate prices for the quality come together. The precision, craftsmanship, and passion for food and cooking that Vesivalo is known for in the fine dining world also carry through to Jason. The kitchen team shares a background in both domestic and international top restaurants, and their goal is to combine high-quality food with a relaxed service culture in an elegant environment. Jason provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy high-end cuisine with a low threshold. At Jason, Scandinavian cuisine is served with an Asian twist. The menu features carefully prepared, seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood, and locally sourced game. There are two menu options: the restaurant’s signature Jason menu and its vegetarian version, Jason Plant Based. Both menus are a testament to how the season’s best ingredients can be showcased at their finest. Locally sourced ingredients are treated with the utmost care, and in the hands of skilled chefs, they become flavor experiences that can’t help but be praised. Often during dinner, guests are left wondering: how many different ways can you create richness and depth of flavor in food? The goal of all kitchen work is to make exceptionally good food without unnecessary tricks and without compromising on quality. The signature menus are kept reasonably priced, and the compact five- to six-course meal can be enjoyed in about an hour and a half without feeling rushed – in a relaxed yet stylish setting. In addition to the set menus, the chalkboard offers à la carte dishes and bar food that can either complement the menu or be enjoyed on their own at the bar with a glass of wine. All the dishes showcase an innovative and skillful use of vegetables, which the restaurant emphasizes. Words and actions align here, making this restaurant an excellent choice for vegetarians as well. Vesivalo’s strong experience in Michelin-starred restaurants is reflected in the attitude behind the work, but Jason cannot be directly labeled a fine dining restaurant. It’s easy to come here and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. The team is the heart of Jason, making everything possible – the ambiance, the atmosphere, and all the work stems from them. Jason’s staff consists of people for whom work is more than just a job, and they all share a passion for the restaurant industry. This passion is what extends to the guests as genuine hospitality.

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