Reykjavík Grapevine - 28.08.2010, Side 29

EAT AND DRINK:
3 x HOME DELIVERY
1 GAMLA SMIðJAN
Hey, did you know that The Grapevine’s
best pizza joint of 2010 delivers? Well it
does, and at a pretty damn reasonable
rate and in around a half-hour. Somehow
they manage to keep the pies just as
tasty when they arrive on your doorstep
as when they arrive at your table in
the restaurant – are they magicians?
www.gamlasmidjan.is or 578-8555
2 ÁVAxTA BÍLLINN
It’s the fruit-mobile! Let’s be honest,
sometimes (all the time) the fruit selection
at Bónus leaves much to be desired and
hauling your cookies out of 101 is way too
much work. Luckily Ávaxta Bíllinn brings
the healthy produce to you. Thanks, Ávaxta
Bíllinn!
http://www.avaxtabillinn.is
3 SHALIMAR
Ever have a hankering for Indian and
Pakistani cuisine but just can’t bring
yourself to put on pants and leave the
house? We’ve all been there. For 1000 kr.
you can have said eastern cuisine brought
to your doorstep (pants are recommended
when answering the door). The food is
delicious, no matter where you eat it.
http://www.shalimar.is or Austurstræti
4 (although going there in person kinda
negates the need for home delivery)
3 x FISH
1 MELABúðIN
Isn’t it nice to walk up to a counter at a
grocery store and there is somebody on
the other side who is there to serve you
an assortment of fresh fish. It’s reasonably
priced, too. Hagamelur 39
2 KOLAPORTIð
Reykjavík’s weekly flea market boasts an
expansive fish and meat section. Often
some of the mongers are offering 2 for
1 on fillets of frozen fish. Sweet deal!
Tryggvagata 19
3 FISKBúðIN FREYJUGÖTU
This quintessential Icelandic fish store
offers up a fresh catch of the day as well as
pre-made fish dishes that just need to be
tossed in the oven. Freyjugata 1
3 x VEGGIES
1 SAFFRAN
Have you been to Saffran? Have you
tried their veggie burger? It’s not so
much a burger as it is a delicious medley
of hummus, tomato, leek, avocado, and
mozzarella sandwiched between two
rounds of pumpkin naan. Oh yeah.
Álfheimum 74
2 GRæNN KOSTUR
This little vegetarian restaurant is kinda
tucked away, but look for it and be thankful
that you did. They offer a range of daily
specials and old stand-by’s, from spinach
pie, pizza, veggie burgers to good’ole
healthy salads. I’m a fan of the Indian Pie.
Skólavörðustigur 8
3 GARðURINN
Garðurinn is a cosy, little (seriously, it seats
10 people) vegetarian eatery that presents
its customers with a new and exciting
menu every day. Go there and be healthier.
Klapparstígur 37
CATHARINE FULTON
HÖRðUR SVEINSSON
The Real Deal
Going to Ban Thai is almost as
good as actually going to Thailand
Take one:
My charming date and I had
spoons and forks on the brain and
simultaneously declared “aha! Let’s
venture up Laugaveur to Ban Thai!”
So that is what we did, uphill on the
hottest day of the summer (or so it
seemed), and were dying both of
hunger and thirst upon arriving at the
doors of Laugavegur 130. We alternated
pushing and pulling on the large
wooden door to no avail. Ban Thai
opens for business at 18:00. We arrived
for lunch at 12:42. Defeated, we called
for a ride back home.
Take two:
My charming date and I waltzed into
Ban Thai at 18:08 on a Thursday
evening and were warmly welcomed
by an Icelandic hostess adorned in
traditional Thai dress, complete
with a vibrant silk sash. Being the
only patrons to have arrived for the
dinner service we had our pick of
tables and settled in a cosy setting for
two to enjoy the dramatic Thai pop
ballads (somewhat distracting music
that I came to love on a recent trip
to Bangkok) and peruse the lengthy
menu.
We ordered in bulk. Two glasses of
the white house wine (900 ISK each)
to drink and Poh Pia Tord (deep fried
spring rolls – 990 ISK) for starters. My
date settled on the Kaeng Mas-sa-man
(1790 ISK), a Thai masaman curry
with spring onion, coconut milk,
potato and peanuts, while I gravitated
toward the Muk Koong Prik (2190
ISK), spicy squid and king prawns with
mint leaves, spring onion and chili in
oyster sauce.
The house wine resembled a
Gewürztraminer, which I’m not
usually fond of, but I quite enjoyed the
glasses I knocked back over the course
of my meal. The spring rolls arrived
and there were three on the plate. My
date and I were two people. I don’t
understand the distribution of foods in
odd numbers. Luckily the spring rolls
were crisp without being greasy or oily
and the mélange of complementary
f lavours from the fillings and the
sweet sauce provided for dipping were
delicious.
When the main dishes arrived the
first impression was overwhelmingly
positive, as both were visually
stunning – so colourful and nicely
plated. Impressions remained
positive as my date delved into her
masaman curry, making sounds of
great satisfaction and I followed suit…
though satisfaction was soon followed
by the chugging of cool water, as I
discovered that the word “spicy” that
preceded “squid” on the menu was
no joke. Still, it wasn’t too spicy by
any means; all the f lavours of the
cool, refreshing mint and the unique
f lavour of oyster sauce shone through.
Delectable!
While we happily went about eating
our meals we couldn’t help but notice
that whatever it was the next table
over had ordered (it was sizzling and
smoking) smelled so good we’d have to
return another night. After 18:00.
Flavour: Layered, vibrant, spicy
Ambiance: Slightly dated, but the
Thai pop ballads liven things up
Service: Friendly and professional
Ban Thai
Laugavegur 130
What we think: Delicious,
authentic Thai cuisine
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
AUSTURSTRÆTI 9. Tel: 561 8555
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