Reykjavík Grapevine - 27.06.2003, Page 17

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24. Svartakaffi
Laugavegur 54
Read the newspaper, have a cup of coffee, have a philosophical
conversation with your cigarette and enjoy the specialty of the
house, soup in a bread. Aim high, it’s not on the ground floor.
25. Kofi Tomasar Frænda (Uncle Toms Cabin)
Laugavegur
Sit down and chat with your friends, or read newspapers and
magazines. Its quiet even when things are getting out of hand
everywhere else, so if you’re not in the mood for action this is
your place. Easy to miss but still well situated, now aim low,
halfway below ground floor is where it’s at.
26. Kaffi Kúltur
Hverfisgötu 18
For those who grow tired of seeing nothing but palefaces about
town, Kaffi Kúltur might be a pleasant diversion. During the day
its something of a hangout for the actors from the National
Theatre, just across the street, but in the evening it is populated
by both new and older Icelanders. They have multiethnic food
and frequent concerts. Wednesday night is tango night. Anyone
can join in, but this is not a lesson.
27. Spotlight
Hafnarstræti 17
With perhaps the exception of the Vatican, every self respecting
city has at least one gay club, and this is Reykjaviks.
Gay, bi or simply curious, are supported by a crowd that’s there to
dance rather than to make moves (If you know where I’m going).
Cool happening club and likely to be entertaining unless you’re
particularly prudish.
Crowd: 20+
28. Gaukur á Stöng
Tryggvagata 22
Iceland’s oldest club is turning 20 this fall. During the day it’s
a pool pub and on weekday evenings there are often live rock
concerts. On weekends there is usually a lot of action with
cover bands playing everything from Britney to the Beatles.
Without exception you’ll be charged at least 1000kr for entrance
in the evenings.
Crowd: 20+
29. Nasa
by Austurvöllur
Used to be a theater, but is now a club. New in Reykjavik’s
nightlife and it seems that there was need for it. Great sound
system and occasional live bands. Most come to dance and
space out. Because of little competition it is perhaps the only
super-club downtown.
30.Leikhúskjallarinn
Hverfisgata 19
Recently opened again and is gaining respect, It’s a Restaurant
during the day but a dance place during night (weekends of
course). The crowd here is usually little more mature then in the
other clubs. Talented DJs play with the drunken crowd.
Crowd: 25+
HOW TO USE
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Reykjavík has no trams trains or subways, only buses.
These yellow things can take you pretty much any-
where in Reykjavík’s suburb areas. It’s a slow system
and you might have to change buses a couple of times
to get where you want to though usually things run
smoothly, and on time. The price of a single fare is
220kr, for an adult, (60kr for children under 12). If
you are in town for more than a few days then 9 ticket
package for 1500kr would be a better bet. Bus cards
valid for two weeks a month or three months are also
available. You have to pay as you step on board and
it has to be the accurate amount, unless you want to
pay more for your ride. The driver can not change your
money. For those of you used to the honesty system,
this system is as honest, because if you don’t pay,
you don’t ride. You can ask the driver for a free time
limited exchange ticket,
if you need two buses to
complete your journey.
The bus system is closed
during the night, you can
catch your first bus
between 6:40 and 7:00
in the morning, and last
call is around 24:00. The main bus stops in Reykjavik
are Hlemmur and Lækjartorg (see map), there you’ll be
able to get all the information you need.
U S E F U L N U M B E R S
31. Einar Ben
Veltusund 1
Full of 19th century charm the restaurant Einar Ben is named
after one of Iceland’s finest poets, Einar Benediktsson It is
situated in the older section of Reykjavik’s mid-town, close to
the harbor. A fine menu features a contemporary version of the
Icelandic international kitchen. The Menu is composed by Chef
Bardur Brandsson, whose magic is outstanding. The food and
the old Einar Ben. Atmosphere is something you can’t miss. A
visiting journalist has likened it to a Hollywood photo from Gloria
Swanson’s personal family album. Seriously !!
32. Apotek
Austurstræti 16
Formerly the central drugstore of Reykjavik, established in
the late 18 hundreds, the Apotek is now a modern restaurant
with Art Deco Interior. You can still see the names of the chief
managing pharmacists/owners on the wall of the bar. Today, this
“drugstore” serves a different type of milkshake. Now look for
a sizzling visual kitchen (behind a glass wall) with a Super Menu!
Apotek is an eating experience not to be missed.
33. La Primavera
Austurstræti 9
Everybody laughed when we discovered a contemporary
restaurant that has its most notable influences from Northern
Italian cooking using local Icelandic produce. The unique menu
that results from this combination features homemade pastas,
risotto, gnochi, polenta and a wide variety of the freshest
vegetables, fish, poultry, meat and game. The menu, the
atmosphere and a comprehensive, exclusively Italian wine list
has made La Primavera a favorite among the locals. They laugh
no more!!
34. Við Tjörnina
Templarasund 3
The most novel fish restaurant in Iceland. The owner, Chef
Runar Marvinsson, is known for innovative fish dishes made
from a variety of rare fish and shellfish and related raw
materials. Mr. Marvinsson is also a respected food and
cooking personality, the author of several cookbooks. His
respect for his raw materials is a tribute to fish and shellfish,
showing off their natural goodness without artificiality.
Chef Marvinsson is really a natural wonder and a particular
favourite with Icelanders!!
35. Humarhúsið
Amtmannsstíg 1
One of the most popular places in Reykjavik or should we say
Iceland, - a gourmet restaurant in the heart of Reykjavik. The
kitchen has a menu with various types of shellfish, lobster and
the amazingly sweet and succulent langoustine (sometimes
called Icelandic Lobster).
The specialty of the house is a rich Cream of Lobster Soup has
been hailed all over the world by international gourmet writer
David Rosengarten, whose comments appear in the finest food
magazines in Europe and in the States.
36. Sommelier
Hverfisgata 46
The Sommelier not only has an excellent menu – Icelandic
cooking with delicate French Touch – but the Sommelier wine list
is admired for its variety of specially selected wines. The service
is impeccable and the waiters take time to discuss the qualities
of each and every wine listed, if you wish. The wine list has two
hundred entries ! This is were you may just happen to meet stars
of stage and television, if you´re lucky !
37. Hótel Holt
Bergstaðarstræti 37
An exclusive hotel housing Iceland’s Most Renowned Restaurant,
the Gallery.
An evening at The Gallery Restaurant remains an
unforgettable experience, if your passion is good wine and
food. The superb cuisine is inspired by French culinary
tradition and includes a variety of Icelandic seafoods and
organic lamb. The impressive selection of vintage wines is
unique for lovers of the grape. This is where you will see
original Icelandic art, without having to go to a gallery. The
Holt has the largest privately owned art collection in Iceland.
38. 3 Frakkar
Baldursgata 14
This is a restaurant that cannot be ignored. A very small place
with an atmosphere. Here you may enjoy the house specialties
of Icelandic traditional dishes prepared in the good, old-
fashioned manner, including catfish, shark, and whale steaks.
And of course much more.
If you´re lucky, Chef Ulfar Eysteinsson, the owner,
may be present regaling the clientele with wild whaling tales
Don’t forget to ask Chef Ulfar for dark Icelandic pumpernickel
bread with pure Icelandic butter.
Don´t forget to make a reservation !
39. Siggi Hall at Óðinsvé
Þórsgata 1
Ask Chef Dellea, the only Italian who is “Commandeur de la
Commanderie de Cordons Bleu de France”. Ask Chef Burmistrov
at the Corithia Nevskij Palace in St. Petersburg. Ask Chef Jeff
Tunks ower of the fabulous DC Coast in Washington DC. Ask
anyone who is somebody in the culinary world, and they will
tell you about Siggi Hall, Iceland´s famous chef and television
personality. Siggi Hall has presented Icelandic gourmet food all
over the world. His television show is very popular and so are
his cookbooks. The Siggi Hall restaurant at Hotel Odinsve is
one of the 100 best new restaurants in the world according to
Condé Nast Travel Magazine. Need we say more.
40. Argentína
Barnsstígur 11a
“A dark cavernous, off-beat restaurant called Argentina...””A
steak house where the lamb has killed the beef..” and
“a gastronomic delight.” are just few of the impressive
compliments paid to this restaurant
David Rosengarten wrote in his American Newsletter not too
long ago: “Lots of chefs in Reykjavik riff on local lamb, but
if you want to see it in its most pristine form, you can dine
at Argentina.”
There are few places in Reykjavik where you can simply
sense the deep passion for simply prepared seasonal foods.
restaurant
clubs
Car rentals
Budget 567-8300
ALP 562-6060
Avis 591-4000
Europcar 591-4050
Hertz 505-0600
Internet Cafés
Ráðhúskaffi, City Hall 101 Rvk.
BSI, Vatnsmýrarvegur 10 101 Rvk.
Netkaffi, Kringlan mall 103 Rvk.
Tourist information center, Lækjargata 2, 101 Rvk.
Ground Zero, Ingólfstogi, 101 Rvk.
Post offices
Central Post office, Pósthússtræti 5 101 Rvk.
Post Office, Kringlan Mall 103 Rvk
Laundry Services
Emla Laundry, Barónsstígur 3, 101 Rvk.
Taxi services
Hreyfill 588-5522
Borgarbílastöðin 552-2440
BSR 561-0000
Useful for emergencies
Emergency phone 112
Information 118
Dentist 575-0505
Doctor 1770
Pharmacies (find your closest) call 118
Phone companies
Og Vodafone 599-9000
Landssíminn 800-7000
Rent a bike
Borgarhjól, Hverfisgata 50, 101 Rvk
BSÍ, Vatnsmýrarvegur, 101 Rvk
Tourist information center, Lækjargata 2, 101 Rvk.
Useful Websites
www.icelandtourist.is
www.visitreykjavik.is
Select swimming pools
Laugardalslaug, Sundlaugarvegur, 105 Rvk.
Sundhöll Rvk. Barónsstígur, 101 Rvk.
Embassies
Germany
Laufásvegi 31, 101 Rvk. 530-1100
United States
Laufásvegi 21, 101 Rvk. 562-9100
United Kingdom
Laufásvegi 31, 101 Rvk. 550-5100
France
Túngötu 22, 101 Rvk. 551-7621
Denmark
Hverfisgötu 29, 101 Rvk. 575-0300
Canada
Túngötu 14, 101 Rvk. 575-6500
Norway
Fjólugötu 17, 101 Rvk. 520-0700
R E V I E W S B Y
Restaurants
Sonny Greco
Bars, clubs, bistros and cafés
The Editors
Map
Bjarki Þór Kjartansson