Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.08.2005, Blaðsíða 29

28 DillonLaugavegur 30
From the I’ve-just-been-to-hell-
and-boy-am-I-pissed art on the
walls, to the hard rock on the
speakers and steady-flowing
whiskey at the bar, Dillon is vying
for the aggressive crowd.
30 Litli Ljóti Andarunginn
Lækjargata 6b
Named after the HC Andersen
fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling. The
Duckling is one of the very best
places for a quiet night, when
even on Saturday nights you can
hear what your partner is saying.
They also serve a lunch menu.a
reputation for late night partying
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29 GlaumbarTryggvagata 20
One of the few proper sport bars in
Reykjavík, so you can go and watch
whatever game happens to be on
the TV screens. The establishment
is basically based around the bar,
so you won´t have to go a long way
for a drink. Open until five, and has
a reputation for late night partying
31 La Primavera
Austurstræti 9
Everybody laughed when we
discovered a contemporary restau-
rant that has its most notable influences
from northern Italian cooking but using
local Icelandic produce. The unique
menu that results from this combination
features homemade pastas, risotto,
gnocchi, 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 favourite among
the locals. They laugh no more!!
32 Tveir FiskarGeirsgata 9
Seafood restaurant, although they
also do land-based animals. At
lunchtime you can have a three-
course meal for 2300, which isn’t
too bad, all things considered. The
chef has been awarded the Medal
of the Order of the White Rose by
the President of Finland. s.
33 HorniðHafnarstræti 15
Means “the corner” and the place
lives up to its name. This is actually
the oldest Italian restaurant in town,
celebrating its 25th year, which says
something about the scene here
before then. Excellent quality pizza,
pasta and salads and yet remaining
one of the more affordable ones. Try
the calzone.
34 HumarhúsiðAmtmannstígur 1
One of the oldest restaurants
in the country, this fine dining
establishment is known for its humar
(lobster), but also for an impressive
cognac lounge, and for intimate
dining.
35 ApótekAusturstræti 16
A trendy, modern restaurant serving
Scandinavian fusion at its best.
The chef brings together French,
Indian and Japanese influences and
traditional Icelandic ingredients.
We’ve heard from reliable sources
that their catfish is among the best in
town. In a building that once used to
be a pharmacy, Apótek also houses a
bar/café.
36 Pasta BastaKlapparstígur 38
An affordable Italian place, the
pasta is in generous portions and
the salad with grilled chicken is a
good light option. The garden is
nice, with a glass ceiling protecting
punters from the wind and the rain
at all times of year. Upstairs, the
Blue Bar offers a more bar type
atmosphere.
37 TapasVesturgata 3b
For those with a bit of money and time
on their hands, the evening is well
spent at Tapas, where you can while
away the evening having course after
course of wonderful miniature dishes
served. Recommended is the garlic-
fried lobster and lamb in apricot sauce.
If you don’t feel like getting up right
away afterwards, there’s also a lounge
to lounge in, and the paintings there
are worth a look.
38 JómfrúinLækjargata 4
In this global age, it can be hard
to find good smörrebröd even in
Copenhagen. Never fear: out here in
the colonies you can still find first rate
smörrebröd at Jómfrúin. They even
import their own eel directly from
Denmark to make one of Scandinavia’s
delicacies.
39 ShalimarAusturstræti 4
Prides itself on being the
northernmost Indian restaurant
in the world. How this affects the
food, we don’t know as there are
no comparisons in town. The daily
special, comprised of two dishes on
your plate, goes for roughly 1000ISK.
But we recommend the Chicken Tikka
Masala, known to be highly addictive.
And if the curry gets to you, they have
a self-service ice cream cone machine.
41 Nonnabiti Hafnarstræti 11
The owner is a miser who
charges additionally for everything,
but this is almost certainly the best
junk food in the Greater Reykjavík
area. The subs are great, none of
that Subway commitment to healthy
living, and they probably contribute
significantly to the ever-increasing
“size” of the nation. They also serve
burgers and sandwiches, and have
lunchtime offers.
42 Pizza KingHafnarstræti 18
Yes, you can go here late at night
and grab the best pizza in town,
but it is also home to the best
lunch specials, and food so good
you’d eat it sober, something
you can’t say for most food in
Reykjavík. Call in advance if you’re
going during the day.
43 Purple OnionHafnarstræti 18
Stepping up Reykjavík’s diversity a
notch, the Purple Onion serves up
Eastern European and Mediterranean
food fast. If you are as uncultured
as we are, just smile and say
you’re hungry, and they’ll give you
something nice for under 1000 ISK.
44 Bæjarins BestuTryggvagata
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,
remoulade (don’t ask), fried and raw
onion. The standard Icelandic hot
dog, only somehow it tastes better.
45 Hlölla BátarBy Ingólfstorg
The first sub sandwich shop in
Iceland, opened in 1986, Hlölla
Bátar has a large selection of subs
filled and named with creativity and
imagination. Brave souls might want
to try the Gúmmí-Bátur (rubber boat),
which might seem like an oversized
relative of the ever-present pylsa, or
go local and choose Sýslumannabátur
(sheriff sub) with lamb filling.
46 EldsmiðjanBragagata 38a
Oven-baked pizzas 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. You can also turn the
chef loose and let him decide what goes
on it - you’ ll rarely be disappointed.
Take away, order delivery, or eat in
at the cosy restaurant upstairs. The
paintings are worth a peek as well.
47 Quiznos SubLækjargata
A new branch of the American
Quiznos has entered the thriving
downtown sub market, and it’s you,
our dear, hungry reader that gains
from it. A good selection of tasty
subs, but also sandwiches, salads,
soup of the day. This is Quiznos first
European restaurant, your response
will decide how many more will
come East.
48 Fine VegetarianLaugavegur 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.
50 Mamas Tacos Lækjargata 10
With a new location comes a new
selection: Mama’s Taco’s now
has fast and cheap Mexican food
downstairs, and outstanding and
more regional Mexican cuisine
upstairs. You must try Mama’s own
homemade tortillas.
49 Dominos Pizza
Welcome to Iceland, home of the
most profitable Dominos franchises
in the world. You know the taste.
The number, for anywhere in
Iceland, is 58-12345. Go local and
hit the global chain. Look by the
harbour downtown.
CL
IP
n´S
AV
E
Reykjavík has no trams, trains nor subways
- only buses. The price of a single fare is 220ISK
for an adult (60ISK for children under 12). If
you are in town for more than a few days, the
nine ticket package for 1500ISK would be a
better deal. 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 exact amount, as the driver cannot give
you change. You can ask the driver for a free,
time-limited transfer ticket if you need two
buses to complete your journey. The bus system
is closed at night, between 24:00 and 6:40
approximately.
For more information and bus rides, go to
Hlemmur and Lækjartorg, the main bus stops
in town.
PRACTICAL
INFORMATION
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
FAS
T F
OO
D
40 TjarnarbakkinnVonarstræti 3
Above the I›nó theatre, so it’s a good
place to go before shows, or during if
you prefer a more quiet atmosphere.
If you sit by the window you get
a nice view of the pond. It’s not a
bad place to try one of Iceland’s
culinary specialities, the lamb steak,
one of those rare traditional treats
that does not come as a shock to the
uninitiated.
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DOWNTOWN REYKJAVIK
TAXIS
The main taxi companies in Reykjavík
are Hreyfill 588 5522, BSR 561 0000,
Borgarbilastöðin 552 2440 and
BSH 555 0888.
INTERNET
There’s an excellent wireless internet
network coverage in Reykjavík, which
means that you only need a network
card on your laptop to log on almost
anywhere. Wireless network hot spots are
marked in listings.
If you’re not travelling with a laptop in
your bag, there are computers for internet
use, e.g. at following places:
Ráðhúskaffi, the city hall.
Tourist information, Aðalstræti, also see
ad. On page 4.
City library, Tryggvagata 15.
FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS, TRY:
Kaffibarinn, Bergstaðastræti 1.
Hressingarskálinn, Austurstræti 20.
Kaffi Hljómalind, Laugavegur 21.
SUPERMARKETS:
Supermarkets are generally open between
9 and 18. For longer opening hours, go
for 10-11.
10-11, branches around Reykjavik, try the
one on Austurstræti
Krambúðin, Skolavörðustigur
Bónus, Laugavegur
Heilsu húsið, Skólavörðustigur (for the
veggies and vegans)
SHOPPING MALLS
Kringlan, Kringlunni 4-12, 103 Reykjavík.
Eg. buses 111, 115 or a 30-minutes walk
from the city centre
Smáralind, Hagasmári, 201 Kópavogur.
Buses 16, 17