Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • Welcome to my website!
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Bookclub Reading Notes
  • Contact me

A little bit of Sicily in Åland

August 16, 2011 by Helena Halme 2 Comments

Rosario Brancato of Belissimo Glassbar

Åland islands (where we go on our summer holidays) has always been culturally a funny sort of a place. It’s closer to Sweden than Finland, yet is an autonomous part of Finland. It has a rich history of seafaring; it even played a role in the Crimean war when the English invaded part of the islands. There’s a small green space in Mariehamn called The English Park as a sort monument.

Yet Åland has remained defensively, almost stubbornly, unique. Even post EU membership, there’s still legislation in force to protect the islanders from foreign invasion. In order to own land there, or to trade, you basically need to be Finnish and speak passable Swedish (this, odd as it may seem, is quite rare), or marry an Ålänning. Even having passed these tests, you have to live on the islands continuously for five years in order to earn your Åland stripes.

No wonder, then, that there aren’t many foreign cafes or restaurants in the capital Mariehamn: so far during the twenty or so years we’ve been visiting the islands, we’ve noticed one Thai restaurant, a cafe/home-made chocolate shop run by a Venezuelan lady, a fast food kebab house, and now most recently a Sicilian cafe/bar.

Bellissimo cafe in Mariehamn

This year’s newcomer, a Sicilian cafe called Bellissimo, seems to have arrived without much fuss. When the Englishman and I passed it the first time, we didn’t go in as the place looked so unremarkable from the outside. But when shopping with my mother in the town a few days later she dragged me inside. (She’s always keen to try anything new in Mariehamn.)

We were welcomed with a loud ‘Ciao’ from the owner, Rosario Brancato, who was busily wiping the counter. When I spotted an expresso machine and a display of ice-creams and the word ‘Gelatiera’, I was sold. My mother had in her turn spotted the apple cake. Just as in Italy – or Sicily – the man frowned at the request of skimmed milk, so we had double expressos instead of our usual mid-morning lattes. After a long time at the ice-cream counter I chose the cherry yoghurt whip. And boy, was it delicious (so much so I again forgot to take a picture!). My mother’s apple cake was equally tasty.

The choice of ice-creams was overwhelming
The apple cake went so quickly I hardly had time to photograph it…
The ice-cream counter was busy

On leaving, Rosario shouted, ‘Grazie mille signora!’ My mother turned to him, smiled sweetly, and said, ‘Ciao’.

This licensed Sicilian cafe should do well in Mariehamn – all I’d ask is that they advertise themselves a little more visibly to the many tourists – an Italian flag outside would do the trick nicely.

You may also like:

  • Which Nordic Noir character would you like to be?Which Nordic Noir character would you like to be?
  • An Island Summer: A New NovelAn Island Summer: A New Novel
  • My British Citizenship Saga Continues ….My British Citizenship Saga Continues ….
  • Swedish TV comedy at its best.Swedish TV comedy at its best.

Comments

  1. Looking Fab in your forties says

    August 17, 2011 at 7:50 am

    Apple Cake sounds yummy! I'm much more for stodgy puds than ice cream!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    December 12, 2012 at 1:27 am

    [url=http://www.discontnfjacketsclearance.com/]north face clearance[/url] High heels tend to give the aesthetic illusion of longer, more slender legs. http://www.northfaceoutletsm.com/#k321 caps, shawl and clothes are in the process, all need to get armed entire body upright. direct method of time travel to experience the happy days of childhood. [url=http://www.cheapoutdoorjackets.com/#356]north face jackets[/url]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Get a Free Nordic Love Story

Pre-order now

View Book

NEW

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

The English Heart on Goodreads

The English Heart (The Nordic Heart Romance Series Book 1)

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapters

looking for the self publishing coach?

Follow me on Twitter

Tweets by @Helenahalme

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

writing and publishing tips

free exclusive bonus chapters

bookclub reading notes

Copyright © 2022 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in