Art Cafe, Rakvere - Keep Your Good Mood Going
Rakvere is full of surprises. Maarja Nuut advised me to give Art Cafe a try; it turns out she's never wrong on matters of taste. A short distance away from the main square, Art Cafe is the kind of place a passing visitor like me would not find without prior guidance.
Photo: Stuart Garlick
Inside Art Cafe
I went in to find modern furniture, low lighting and a genuinely classy edge. Although the Art Cafe is intended as both upmarket lunch place and a venue for an evening meal, the feel is definitely more along the lines of a restaurant.
I was very impressed by the clean, uncluttered feel of the decor. The outside of the cafe is a traditional wooden building, but inside it's like going forward half a century.
The art on the wall is by local painters; some of the works are for sale. It's a great way for people to publicise their creations.
I ordered the bacon quiche and a fresh orange juice, from a quite wide menu. All around me in the huge garden were families and couples enjoying their afternoon. It was placid, and the staff were confident, calm and polite - something I'd guess was the same at peak times; the management here seem to know what they're doing, and everyone seems well-trained and happy to be working there.
The food arrived quickly - within about 10 minutes of ordering. The quiche was made slightly differently to what was used to - it was thinner and slightly tougher, but this was probably intentional and due to a different pastry being used. It tasted fresh, and just crispy enough, with the bacon adding the requisite saltiness.
Quiche and orange juice
The whole experience left me feeling thoroughly relaxed. I suspect part of this might be the escape - getting out of Tallinn, when I can, and seeing the countryside and the seaside seems to give me a boost. But the surroundings, the food, and the people, helped enormously to contribute to my good mood.
Art Cafe, Lai 13, Rakvere
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-Caf%C3%A9/352467122598
Verdict:
Was it expensive? No, not for the quality of the food - I paid around €7 in total, which compares very favourably to anywhere in Tallinn.
Would I go again? Yes - tomorrow, if I could!
When should you go there? Lazy afternoons, evenings out with friends, dates, anything.
