SIS. deli + café

It can be difficult to find breathing room among the often disparate pursuits of ecological living, working and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This organic idea, however, aims to achieve some balance.

“The important thing after every meal is that you feel good,” states Anu Syrmä, coowner of Helsinki’s SIS. Deli + Cafés. “Whatever the meal you have, it’s a good sign if you feel energised afterwards.”

Since teaming up with her sister Kaisa Leikola to open their first organic deli and cafe in Ullanlinna in February 2008, customers have swiftly connected with the blend of locally produced organic food, easy take away packaging and friendly service. A second establishment in Kalevankatu was opened in April this year.

After nurturing their love of cafés through extensive international travel, these sisters had come to realise an aspect of Helsinki’s food culture that was lacking – take away organic food available all day. Both were working long hours and often needed something to eat very fast. “I have small children and I was also working quite a lot,” remembers Leikola. “I always needed to have something ready fast that everybody can enjoy - and still feel like a good mummy.”

Sisters Anu Syrmä and Kaisa Leikola serve up feel good food in more ways than one.

“There are a lot of other companies that are brothers,” laughs Syrmä, when asked from where the name of SIS. Deli + Café derives. “The other meaning comes from the word sisältää, the ingredients. We wanted to be very open with where the products come from and what they are made of. The core of offering good food is that it needs to be made of high quality ingredients.”

The sisters have wholly embraced this philosophy, offering a wide selection of fresh organic food with the promise of no preservatives. A different soup is offered each day for 7.50 euros, while a variety of salads are available for 9.30 euros. Assorted filled bread rolls, juices and organic snacks adorn the shelves and refrigerators with all choices available as either a sit down or an easy take away option.

 The reach of their enterprise is not merely confined to their customer base. “We have found so many small local producers in Finland that do really good work,” Leikola explains. “It’s quite difficult for them to find distribution for their products.” Such producers also enable the sale of certain specialty products such as 100 per cent rye bread delivered fresh everyday.

The rotating menu still manages to maintain many regular customer favourites. While the Asian chicken soup was certainly flavoursome, it was the wheat roll filled with organic mozzarella, tomato and homemade spinach pesto that really impressed with its subtle tastes. Named after its antioxidant properties, the Anti O super smoothie was a refreshing blend of local strawberries, mint and pineapple. With a complementary cup accompanying each lunch purchase between 11:00-14:00 on weekdays, the dark roasted organic coffee aims to convert the nation of the highest per capita coffee consumption in the world.

The sisters utilise a delivery bike to provide catering to nearby offices and also have take away picnic bags tailor made for their customers. For those with a sweet tooth there is a multitude of healthy alternatives such as sea buckthorn marmalades for 5.50 euros a bag.

“It’s a small store where you can really discuss,” explains Syrmä. Music is unobtrusive and the gentle patter of conversation fills the air. With only three seats at their Ullanlinna location, the focus is more upon the passing take away trade, whereas a handful of tables and a terrace can be found at Kalevankatu. “The customers talk with each other. It’s not typically Finnish,” laughs Leikola.

James O’Sullivan
Jack Mata