Reykjavík Grapevine - 04.04.2008, Side 34

Ó Restaurant, located at Hotel Óðinsvé, opened in February after
the previous establishment, restaurant Siggi Hall, closed its doors.
Ó’s executive chef, Eyþór Rúnarsson, is very familiar with the busi-
ness and has a long background in preparing gourmet meals for
local diners and hotel guests. He was head chef of Siggi Hall and is
a member of the Icelandic national team of chefs.
The restaurant is elegantly decorated and its purple walls
create a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. We examined the
menu over a drink at the bar and decided to go for the tasting menu
(7,300 ISK) to get a good sample of what the restaurant has to offer.
The tasting menu consists of four courses and a dessert, selected by
the chef. Although the emphasis was mainly on fish dishes this time,
my companion and I chose a bottle of Spanish red wine, Museum
Real Reserva (5,190 ISK), recommended by the waiter. The wine
proved to be an excellent choice.
As an appetiser, we were brought a sample of duck confit with
celery-pear-salad and buttermilk-foam, which was delicious. What
followed was a mix of fairly good and really tasty dishes. We en-
joyed the smoked salmon on a sugary crumpet, topped with cream-
cheese and roe while the halibut with buttery sauce, halibut-stew
and all sorts of trimmings was nothing extraordinary. The sweet
taste of the tomato sauce served with the salted cod blended well
with the cold tomato sorbet on top and made the dish our abso-
lute favourite. The caramel browned shallot onion that came with
the tender loin of beef was also a hit. The only real disappointment
of the night was the dessert, a flavourless pine-nut cake with pears
and watery ice cream. The sample of rum-banana-stew with lime,
cream-cheese and biscuits our waiter brought us after our espressos
was much better. A winning combination they should definitely put
on the menu.
The excellent service deserves special praise. Although every
table was filled, the service was consistently attentive; the waiters
answered all our questions and ensured we would enjoy our eve-
ning. Which we did.
Address:
Þórsgata 1
Tel.: 511 6677
Reviewed by
Steinunn Jakobsdóttir
Ó Restaurant
The Mexican restaurant Tabasco’s is a cosy establishment on the
corner of Hafnarstræti and Vesturgata. Tabasco’s offers a selection
of famous Mexican dishes – although most of them are influenced
by the American tradition of how Mexican food is presented.
We had a Margarita and shared a small plate of potato skins
for starters and found both pleasing. In fact, the skins were better
at Tabasco’s than in many other restaurants in Iceland. Still, I find
four pieces of potato skins for 1000 krónur a bit much. The Marga-
ritas were 1200 each – which is not the most outrageous amount
for cocktails, especially since they’re served in proper Margarita
glasses and tasted good.
The main courses were not as agreeable. My companion had
beef tacos and I had the chicken quesadillas. The beef in the ta-
cos was not satisfactory. It tasted like it was spiced with Season All
or some other MSG-infused crap. In a restaurant that charges 2000
krónur for a main course, I’d expect my food not to be drowned
in fat but both the tacos and the quesadillas were very greasy, al-
though the quesadillas were better. They came with a side of black
beans and more vegetables than the tacos.
There’s no other way to describe the condiments than as an
infuriating insult to Mexican cuisine. Tabasco’s serves the worst gua-
camole I’ve ever had in a restaurant. They should really look up a
recipe because what they’re serving barely resembles the authentic
version. No chunks, no taste, no nothing. The salsa wasn’t any bet-
ter. I’d be surprised if I were told it was freshly made, because the
taste had the word “can” written all over it. There was something
that resembled pico de gallo on top of my quesadillas – but maybe
it was just chopped vegetables – I have no idea.
I’m afraid I can’t recommend Tabasco’s for food enthusiasts,
but if you don’t know that Mexican food should include cilantro or
spicy flavour, this is your place. However I do recommend the drinks
and the snacks. They are just fine.
Tabasco’s
Address:
Hafnarstræti 1-3
Tel.: 511 1980
Reviewed by
Helga Þórey Jónsdóttir
Photos by GAS
B10 | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 04 2008 | Reviews
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