Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.06.2008, Side 42

Indian Mango doesn’t offer Indian food proper. They don’t serve
any Rajita or Naan, for instance. What they do serve, however, is
a fusion influenced take on Goan cuisine, with an emphasis on
fresh materials and inventive presentation. Looking over the menu,
I could envision many repeat visits to the place, since most of the
courses sounded like something I’d love to try out. And I would, if
I could afford it. With main courses ranging in price from 2-4.000
ISK, I feel like I’ll need to be celebrating a raise if I’m ever going
to be a regular there. Even with a three course set menu going for
3.990, it’s still steep for your average wageslave.
We started our meal with some freshly made Mango Lhas-
sies. The yoghurt based drinks served as an excellent induction
to the Indian Mango experience, and our bellies were positively
roaring when the starters were served. The fish soup starter had
a very special taste, and actually puts to shame most of the bouil-
lon concoctions that pass for fish/lobster soup here in Iceland. It
comes highly recommended, as does the delicately cooked scallop
appetizer we ordered alongside it.
Next, we sampled a variety of Indian Mango’s main courses.
The Tandoori arctic char was fine for all its purposes, with the
subtle tandoori and char tastes contrasted nicely with the char’s
engaging texture. Likewise, the Prawn Masala was plentiful and
rich. However, the aforementioned courses both pale in compari-
son to the Beef Vindaloo, where the meat was cooked to tender
perfection and served in a vindaloo style that offered up just the
right mix of hot and tasty. Truly the highpoint of our meal, and a
dish that leaves you calling for more.
For dessert, we had a chocolate tower and some mango ice
cream, both of which were excellent. All in all, our Indian Mango
experience was a good one; the place offers up a great atmosphere
and is perfect for romantic outings, the food is good and the ser-
vice is professional and friendly.
Address:
Frakkastígur 2, 101 Reykjavík
Tel.: 551 7722
Reviewed by
Haukur S. Magnússon
Indian Mango
Nothing beats a good pizza, right? OK, that’s not entirely true, but I
think we can all agree that a good pizza is one on the fundamental
elements of life as we know it. A good pizza should not only be tasty
and fulfilling, it should be a life affirming experience. It should make
you want to sing and dance, and volunteer for the elderly. Some of
you may think that I place ridiculous standards on the quality of
my fast food, but pizza should not really be a fast food. It should be
made with love and care – delicate tenderness. That is why a mass-
production pizza chain like Domino’s or Papa John’s will never be
able to recreate the genuine pizza experience.
Sadly, Rizzo falls completely flat as well. There is considerable
ambition to serve good food at Rizzo, and the pizza is actually quite
good, once its finally served; but still, no pizza is really worth being
disrespected by the service to the point where you feel like a second
rate citizen.
It started as soon as I entered the establishment. I stood by the
counter for about five minutes before anyone deemed me worthy
of taking my order. Still, I was the only person ordering, and they
had already noticed me. They just didn’t acknowledge me. After
ordering, After waiting for a good while (a while I used to admire
the dirty dishes left on the surrounding tables and not removed
by the service) I decided to check on the progress of my pizza. It
turns out that the pizza was ready, but somehow they had forgot-
ten to bring it to me, or at the very least let me know that it was
ready so I could fetch it myself, you know, in case I was hungry
or something. When the pizza arrived at last I asked if I could get
something to move it from the hot metal plate it rested on, to my
own plate for the eventual consumption process – a spade per-
haps? The waitress offered a curt ‘no,’ turned her back and left.
So, if you are in the market for a tasty pizza, served with all
of the enthusiasm of a 15-year old on his way to school, this is your
place.
Rizzo Pizzeria
Address:
Grensásvegur 10, 101 Reykjavík
Tel.: 577 7000
Reviewed by
Sveinn Birkir Björnsson
Photos by GAS
B10 | Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 07 2008 | Reviews
“They put on such a
beautiful meal for us.
We had the most
amazing freshest fish I've
ever had in my life.
It was all so perfectly
cooked too...Beautiful!”
Jamie Oliver’s Diary
www.mountainguides.is
Phone: +354 587 9999
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