Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.06.2003, Side 21

- the reykjavik grapevine -20 may 15 - may 29, 2003 - the reykjavik grapevine - 21may 15 - may 29, 2003
LISTINGS
SIGGI HALL
AT ÓÐINSVÉ
When I visit a restaurant that
has been selected as one of the
best 100 New Restaurants in the
World and one of five best Scandina-
vian Restaurants in Europe, I always
prepare myself for a “glitzy” interior
decor, an overloaded wine list and
a menu with everything but Sour
Cabbage and a deep fried Succhini.
At Siggi Hall´s you will find both Suc-
chini and Sour Cabbage.
Siggi Hall´s Restaurant is the
headquarters of (you guessed it)
Siggi Hall, Iceland´s most famous
Chef and Television personality. Sig-
gi, whose winning personality has
charmed Royal families and Heads
of State into tasting many Icelandic
delicacies – from salmon to pickled
shark – is one of those Chefs who
thrive on simple yet tasty dishes.
The Siggi Hall restaurant, at
Hotel Odinsve, is tastefully deco-
rated in offwhite and mild colors
that make you relax as soon as you
have settled down at a table. The
reception of arriving guests leaves
much to be desired if Siggi Hall is
not there in person. but the overall
service is good.
In one end of the dining room
there is an elevated service bar with
comfortable seats and a single sofa,
where you can have a pre-dinner
drink , if you are lucky. The space
is rather small and seats only a few
people.
The Menu usually consists of
Cured Salmon, Bacalao Croquettes
or Scallops as featured Starters,
sometimes you´ll also find a Mari-
nated Fillet of Beef with sesame-bal-
samico vinaigrette and mixed salad
with which to begin your meal.
The Main Courses usually con-
sists of fish delicacies, from Wolffish
in Herbal Crust to North Atlantic Hali-
but in dill sauce with carrots, and/or
Fried Cod with cumin and coriander.
Siggi Hall´s internationally famous
Grilled Medallions of Lamb with shal-
lots, asparagus and Italian Herbs
are, of course, available as is Grilled
Filet Mignon with Beef-Champignon
ragout and tarragon. This is usually
served with baked Succhini, fried
Foie Gras and a potato terrine.
For Starters we selected a
creamy Soup with Smoked Had-
dock, Sour Cabbage and Potato
Chips. Normally, I don´t go to fine
restaurants and order such dishes,
but the soup was amazing. The
smoky taste of the haddock was
toned down with cream and cab-
bage creating a delicate balance
that was a pure delight. The Second
starter we tried was the Croquettes
of Bacalao served with spanish to-
mato sauce and a salad with olives
all of which I highly recommend.
Our Main Dishes were the grilled
Lamb Medallions (of course) and the
Fried Cod on Puy Lentils, specially
prepared for my guest. The grilled
Medallions were, unfortunately, not
served at the best temperature
(something the staff fixed immedi-
ately) but the lamb was excellent.
Tasty, not too lamby and served
with a fine combination of shallots,
asparagus and italian herbs in what
Siggi Hall calls “Fricasse” !
F O O D
Nasa Nigthclub,
Fanfare Ciocarlia,
Wednesday, June 25th
This eleven-man brass and woodwind
band comes from the very small village
of Zece Prajini (literally meaning ten
fields), which lies near the Romanian-
Moldavian border. Yet it belongs to
the larger tradition of Romany brass
bands found throughout the Balkan re-
gion (popularized by the soundtrack to
Emir Kusturica’s film Underground). The
music of Fanfare Ciocarlia combines
Romanian, Gypsy and Turkish influ-
ences, and even elements of klezmer.
The group, whose CD releases have
enjoyed a huge success, has already
appeared on festival stages all over the
world. If Macedonia’s Kocani Orkestar
is known as the loudest and tightest
of the Romany brass bands, then Fan-
fare Ciocarlia deserves the title of the
fastest and craziest. Its leader, Ioan
Ivancea, says the same himself: “We’re
one of the last, and we’re the fastest of
them all!”
Doubtlessly something very much dif-
ferent from other music events this
summer as the band plays both well
known radio hits and their own tradi-
tional material, their way.
Kjarvalsstaðir Muse-
um, Russian Photogra-
phy Retrospective,
17th May-15th June.
The second part of a two-part exhibi-
tion. In the first part, on show in Mos-
cow last autumn, Icelandic photographs
were exhibited. This part features pho-
tographs from two different periods in
the history of Russia, on one hand from
the first decades of the 20th century,
and on the other hand, contemporary
photography. Guests therefore get a
good general view of Russian photog-
raphy as well as getting a good feel of
Russian life over different periods in the
nation’s history. The exhibition comes
from Moscow House of Photography.
Open every day 10-17. Adults: 500
krónur, groups of 10 or more 250
krónur, free for anyone under 18, free
for everyone on Mondays. There´s a
guided tour included every Sunday
at 15.00. A ticket gets you into all
Reykjavik Art Museums. Also on now
at Kjarvalsstaðir: Orn Thorsteinsson
chisels works of art from the stones
of nature.
Siggi Hall´s Restaurant is the headquarters
of (you guessed it) Siggi Hall, Iceland´s most
famous Chef and Television personality.
Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum, Some of the works
of painter Jóhannes Kjarval.
Norræna húsið, Nordic House, The Big Nordic
Elephant Show. Children dressed up as elephants
especially welcome.
Reykjavik Museum of Photography, The Five
Elements. Photographs and etchings from french-
vietnamese artist Claire Xuan.
Skemmtihúsið Theatre, -18:00- The Saga of
Gudridur. A play about a Viking woman in America
performed in English.
Skemmtihúsið Theatre, -20:30- The Saga of
Gudridur. A play about a Viking woman in America
performed in English.
Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum, The works of
Iceland´s first modern sculptor, whose works are
partly based on Icelandic folklore.
Ásmundarsafn, Sculpture museum, The works
of popular sculptor Ásmundar Sveinsson, who
believed sculpture should be part of the urban
environment.
Wednesday, June 25
Reðursafnið, Phallological Museum, A fine
penis and penis related selection from various
mammals. First human specimen still awaited.
Hafnarborg Art Gallery, Anniversary exhibition
from the museum collection.
Nasa, Concert by the Rumanian band that did the
music to Kusturica´s film Black Cat/White Cat.
Austurvöllur out door exhibition, Earth from
Above. Aerial Photographs by Yann Arthus-
Bertrand.
National and University Library, Exhibition of
Lárus Sigurbjörnsson, the founder of the city´s
documentation.
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Images of Iceland
- milestones in cartography
Nýlistasafnið, The Living Art Museum, Matthew
Barney´s Cremaster project. Photographic works,
sculptures and films.
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Photographs of the
bridges of Highway 1, which encircles the whole
island.
Gaukur á Stöng, Sick of it All, Botnleðja, I Adapt
Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum, Some of the works
of painter Jóhannes Kjarval.
Norræna húsið, Nordic House, The Big Nordic
Elephant Show. Children dressed up as elephants
especially welcome.
Reykjavik Museum of Photography, The Five
Elements. Photographs and etchings from french-
vietnamese artist Claire Xuan.
Coffee shop 11, The girls provide the rock.
Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum, The works of
Iceland´s first modern sculptor, whose works are
partly based on Icelandic folklore.
Ásmundarsafn, Sculpture museum, The works
of popular sculptor Ásmundar Sveinsson, who
believed sculpture should be part of the urban
environment.
Thursday, June 26
Reðursafnið, Phallological Museum, A fine
penis and penis related selection from various
mammals. First human specimen still awaited.
Hafnarborg Art Gallery, Anniversary exhibition
from the museum collection.
Árbæjarsafn, Folk Museum, Chiselling II. The
sequel to chiselling I.
Prikið, DJ Ýr
Austurvöllur out door exhibition, Earth from
Above. Aerial Photographs by Yann Arthus-
Bertrand.
National and University Library, Exhibition of
Lárus Sigurbjörnsson, the founder of the city´s
documentation.
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Images of Iceland
- milestones in cartography
Nýlistasafnið, The Living Art Museum, Matthew
Barney´s Cremaster project. Photographic works,
sculptures and films.
Coffee shop 11, Mixed events
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Photographs of the
bridges of Highway 1, which encircles the whole
island.
Gaukur á Stöng, Sick of it All, Botnleðja, I Adapt
Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum, Some of the works
of painter Jóhannes Kjarval.
Norræna húsið, Nordic House, The Big Nordic
Elephant Show. Children dressed up as elephants
especially welcome.
Reykjavik Museum of Photography, The Five
Elements. Photographs and etchings from french-
vietnamese artist Claire Xuan.
Skemmtihúsið Theatre, -20:30- The Saga of
Gudridur. A play about a Viking woman in America
performed in English.
Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum, The works of
Iceland´s first modern sculptor, whose works are
partly based on Icelandic folklore.
Ásmundarsafn, Sculpture museum, The works
of popular sculptor Ásmundar Sveinsson, who
believed sculpture should be part of the urban
environment.