Reykjavík Grapevine - 25.07.2003, Blaðsíða 17

- the reykjavík grapevine -16 july 25th - august 7th, 2003 - the reykjavík grapevine - 17july 25th - august 7th, 2003
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. Admission 1000 krónur.
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+
31. Einar Ben
Veltusund 1
Full of 19th century charm the restaurant Einar Ben is named
after one of Iceland’s fi nest poets, Einar Benediktsson It is
situated in the older section of Reykjavik’s mid-town, close to
the harbor. A fi ne 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 infl uences from Northern
Italian cooking but 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, fi sh, 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 fi sh restaurant in Iceland. The owner, Chef Runar
Marvinsson, is known for innovative fi sh dishes made from a
variety of rare fi sh and shellfi sh and related raw materials. Mr.
Marvinsson is also a respected food and cooking personality
and the author of several cookbooks. His respect for his raw
materials is a tribute to fi sh and shellfi sh, showing off their natural
goodness without artifi ciality. 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 shellfi sh, 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 fi nest food
magazines in Europe and in the States.
36. Sommelier
Hverfi sgata 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 catfi sh, 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.
41. Tapas
Vesturgata 3b
For those with a bit of money and time on their hands, the evening
can hardly be better spent than at Tapas, where you can vile away
the evening having course after course of wonderful miniature
dishes served. Particularly recommended is the garlic fried lob-
ster and duck in apricot sauce. If afterwards, you don’t feel like
getting up right away, there’s also a rather large lounge to lounge
in, and the paintings are worth a look.
42, Nonni
Hafnarstræti 11
The owner is a miser, so always count your change. Having said
that, this is almost certainly the best junk food in the Greater
Reykjavík area, and quite possibly farther a fi eld. The subs are
great, none of that Subway commitment to healthy living, and
they probably contribute signifi cantly to the ever increasing “size”
of the nation. They also serve burger and sandwiches, and have
good lunch time offers.
43. Serrano
Hafnarstræti 20
A new place right next door to the above. A Mexican themed
eatery, but light on the chilli. Slightly cheaper and lighter on the
cholesterol, but somehow not quite as fulfi lling. Still, you can get
a large burrito and Pepsi for 599, which is one of the cheaper
ways to fi ll your belly in this too expensive town.
44. Hlölli
At Ingólfstorg
Where Nonni used to work before he went solo. The original, but
not necessarily the best. They have a somewhat larger selection
of subs, and of different sizes, but somehow manage to be
slightly on the soggy side, and miss the heavenly Nonni sauce.
45. Bæjarins bestu
Tryggvagata
They claim to have the best hot dogs in town, and for once the
product lives up to the hype. Ask for one with everything, and
you’ll get a dog in a bun with ketchup, mustard, remulade (don’t
ask), fried and raw onion, the standardized Icelandic hotdog,
only better.
46. Pizza 67
Tryggvagata 26
The local pizza chain that’s trying to take on the world, and
who currently operate a place in the Faeroes, as well as nation
wide here in Iceland. The have a Summer of Love type theme,
which doesn’t really extend beyond the names of the pizzas, a
few slogans and a few posters, but the pizzas are nice. They
also do deliveries.
47. Kebab
Lækjargata 2
The only kebab place in downtown Reykjavík, surprisingly. Does
not really stand comparison to more established kebab places
on the continent, but its presence gives Reykjavík a more
international, rather than just Americanised, feel.
48. Waffl e Wagon
At Lækjartorg
Sort of comes and goes like an apparition. One minute its there
to serve you its delicious, chocolate soaked Belgian waffl es, the
next it’s just the empty pavement. Close your eyes and pray, and
it might appear before you.
49. Eldsmiðjan
Bragagata 38a
Oven baked pizza’s simply don’t get much better than this. It is
slightly more expensive than other pizzerias, but well worth it.
A wide selection of toppings, including that sorely missed pizza
delight, snails. Also delivers.
50. Vitabar
Bergþórugata 21
Actually a bar, but best known for its hamburgers. A burger with
fries for 500 is one of the best meal deals in town, but special
mention must go to the Forget-Me-Not blue cheese and garlic
extravaganza. The Viking beer always feels particularly cold.
51. First Vegetarian (Á næstu grösum)
Laugavegur 20b
Used to be called One Woman Restaurant, as there was always
the same woman working there. Has new owners and a larger
staff, but the theme is still vegetarian, with one vegan and one
wheat free dish always on offer. The only vegetarian restaurant
licensed to carry beer and wine. Remains on the right side of the
1000 krónur bill at lunchtime, slips slightly over in the evening.
52. Grænn kostur
Skólavörðustígur 8
Located in a parking lot, which is actually not as bad as it
sounds. Claims to be the only vegan restaurant in Reykjavík, and
is frequented by visiting rock stars so inclined, including hardcore
band Sick of it all. Has a selection of fairly reasonably priced
specials of the day, and some delicious cakes you can devour
guilt free. Watch out for Antonio the cat, so called because he’s
stocky as a Latin lover, the only customer who gets treated to
milk based products.
53. American Style
Skipholt 70
An all-Icelandic chain, as you may have guessed, with a selection
of burgers, chicken and steak. Pictures of rock stars on the wall
complete the theme. Mostly on the right side of the purple note
and you can refill your glass with soda as often as you like. Still,
you find yourself wondering, is all that cheese and bacon on the
chicken breast strictly necessary?
HOW TO USE
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Reykjavík has no trams trains or subways, only
buses. These yellow things can take you pretty much
anywhere 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 fi rst 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
restaurant
Car rentals
ALP 562-6060
Avis 591-4000
Budget 567-8300
Europcar 591-4050
SBK Car Rental 420-6000
Internet Cafés
BSI, Vatnsmýrarvegur 10 101 Rvk.
Ground Zero, Ingólfstogi, 101 Rvk.
k-LANið, Laugavegi 103, 101 Reykjavík
Ráðhúskaffi, City Hall 101 Rvk.
Netkaffi, Kringlan mall 103 Rvk.
Tourist information center, Lækjargata 2, 101 Rvk.
Post offices
Central Post office, Pósthússtræti 5, 101 Rvk.
Post Office, Kringlan Mall, 103 Rvk.
Laundry Services
Embla Laundry, Barónsstígur 3, 101 Rvk.
Taxi services
Borgarbílastöðin 552-2440
BSR 561-0000
Hreyfill 588-5522
Useful for emergencies
Emergency phone 112
Information 118
Dentist 575-0505
Doctor 1770
Pharmacies (find your closest) call 118
Phone companies
Landssíminn 800-7000
Og Vodafone 599-9000
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
Canada
Túngötu 14, 101 Rvk. 575-6500
Denmark
Hverfisgötu 29, 101 Rvk. 575-0300
France
Túngötu 22, 101 Rvk. 551-7621
Germany
Laufásvegi 31, 101 Rvk. 530-1100
Norway
Fjólugötu 17, 101 Rvk. 520-0700
United Kingdom
Laufásvegi 31, 101 Rvk. 550-5100
United States
Laufásvegi 21, 101 Rvk. 562-9100
fast food
R E V I E W S B Y
Restaurants
Sonny Greco
Bars, clubs, bistros, cafés and fast food
The Editors
Map
Bjarki Þór Kjartansson