Acclaimed chef Silver Saa and restaurateur Toomas Lillemets to open a new restaurant in Arter quarter
Silver Saa, named Chef of the Year by Falstaff, and restaurateur Toomas Lillemets are set to open a new bakery and Mediterranean restaurant, Aroma, in Arter quarter this November.
“The idea of running a café and restaurant has been quietly simmering in my mind for some time, but it remained just a thought due to the lack of the right location and partner. The opportunity to create a place in Arter that I’d want to visit at any time of day appealed to me – in terms of the possibilities, the partnership and the location. As a chef, it offers me ample opportunities for creative expression,” said Aroma’s head chef Silver Saa. Previously, Saa has worked as the head chef at restaurants Salt, Fabrik, Ore and Lahepere Villa.
The new venue is being developed in collaboration with Toomas Lillemets, who has extensive experience in the catering industry. “The dream of owning my own restaurant has been a long-held ambition. My passion for food culture and knowing Silver’s dedication inspired me to open our own place,” said Aroma’s manager Lillemets.
The bakery and restaurant will feature a Mediterranean menu inspired by Italian, Spanish, Greek, French and Turkish cuisines. “Visitors will be able to take a culinary journey around the world and enjoy authentic local flavours, suitable for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Freshness and balance are the key elements of our menu – light, fresh dishes and sides complemented by hearty handmade pastas and pizzas cooked over an open flame,” Saa explained, adding that the menu has been crafted with both modern food trends and consumer eating habits in mind.
Allan Remmelkoor, the project director of Arter quarter, believes that the new bakery and restaurant will enhance the vision of the quarter as Tallinn’s newest downtown meeting spot. “From the beginning, our aim has been to create an environment open to city residents, employees of the quarter and tourists alike. Dining venues play a crucial role in establishing such an atmosphere because we all want to enjoy good flavours in a cosy setting amidst the hustle and bustle of the city,” said Remmelkoor.
Aroma’s manager Toomas Lillemets envisions Arter quarter as a community gathering place with the restaurant at its heart. “We want to create a warm, heartfelt and spacious environment where people can connect and enjoy great food. It’s important for us to offer our visitors a sense of culinary delight and tranquillity in a modern setting. Our creativity extends not only to food preparation but also to the design, atmosphere and service,” Lillemets explained.
The bakery and restaurant Aroma will open on the ground floor of Arter in November of this year. The 500 sq m restaurant will have the capacity to seat up to 230 guests at a time.
Alongside Aroma, Chef Vladislav Djatšuk is also opening a restaurant in Arter quarter. VõiVõi is a fusion of deli, bar, restaurant and live fire cooking with a menu inspired by different European cuisines. “With nearly 2,000 people expected to work in Arter quarter daily, along with local residents, city dwellers and tourists, we need to be prepared to cater to a large number of people every day. We believe that experienced restaurateurs and chefs will meet this need with their establishments, bringing vibrancy and excitement to our business hub,” said Remmelkoor.