Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.07.2012, Page 26

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The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 10 — 2012
BEST PIzzA: LA LUNA
TRATTORIA-PIzzERIA
Family-run La Luna trattoria opened
up for business on Rauðarárstígur last
year and has been steadily winning
fans since with its delicious wood fired
pizzas that have folks gushing on the
streets and on the net. “The pizzas at
La Luna are the best on offer in Reyk-
javík these days, whether you’re eating
in or taking out. It’s a shame they don’t
deliver,” remarked one reader, while
another noted: “Their toppings are al-
ways fresh and plentiful, they never
skimp, and if you like cheese... OMG!”
We gave it several tries and are happy
to confirm the verdict: La Luna is the
best thing going in Reykjavík pizza to-
day, even though their pasta might be
hit or miss (see: our restaurant review
in the listings pages).
Runners-up: Gamla smiðjan (“Wood
fired pizza is superior, and they seem to
be doing the best job of it these days”),
Eldsmiðjan (“They’ve been making a
comeback lately!”)
(2011: Gamla Smiðjan
2010: Gamla Smiðjan
2009: Devitos Pizza)
BEST ICE CREAM: YOYO
First things first, we decided that we
weren’t going to exclude frozen yogurt
from the ice cream running, so any-
thing ice cream-like counts. The last
two years in a row, Ísbúðin Ísland has
taken this award (keep in mind that
Ísbúð vesturbæjar is an INSTITUTION,
which means that it’s not in the run-
ning). This year, however, there was a
hot debate between Ísgerðin and YoYo.
While one of our correspondents point-
ed out that Ísgerðin has “really crazy
flavours like Kahlúa and shit,” others
pointed out that YoYo has more. Thus
we award YoYo best ice cream for its
great selection of flavours and top-
pings. Not only that, but it’s also FUN
to make your own, mixing in whatever
fresh fruit and candy your heart de-
sires, paying by weight.
(2011: Ísbúðin Ísland
2010: Ísbúðin Ísland
2009: Ísbúð Vesturbæjar)
BEST BAKERY: MOSFELLS-
BAKARÍ IN REYKJAVÍK
We were pretty divided on this one. It
came down to Sandholt, Bernhöftsba-
karí and Mosfellsbakarí. Sandholt won
it the two years in a row now, and the
year before that it was Mosfellsbakarí.
After some deliberation we decided
that this bakery should once again take
the cake. In fact, one of their cakes was
voted best cake in a national competi-
tion this year. In operation since 1982,
this bakery sure knows what it’s do-
ing when it comes to fresh bread, and
they are delectable pastries on par with
what you’d find in Paris.
(2011: Sandholt
2010: Sandholt
2009: Mosfellsbakarí)
BEST THAI FOOD: BAN THAI
Ban Thai keeps serving up Reykjavík’s
best Thai food by far. It is so beloved
that every single course off the restau-
rant’s huge and varied menu seems to
have a fan or two lurking around; in-
deed, Ban Thai’s many advocates have
grown a love for every single aspect of
the place (even its weaknesses, with
one reader proclaiming: “The bad ser-
vice is entertaining—the food is fantas-
tic”). Years of dining there allow us to
damn near guarantee that everything
you order at Ban Thai will be fresh
made, authentic and delicious—even
though it might sometimes take a few
minutes to make it to your table.
(2011: Ban Thai
2010: Ban Thai
2009: Ban Thai)
BEST KEBAB: KEBAB GRILL
This was a new category last year and
it went to Habibi, which we still think
is pretty good in terms of Reykjavík’s
kebab places. This year, however, we’ve
been graced by a new place called Ke-
bab Grill, and while the service could
be quicker, this is without doubt the
best kebab place in Reykjavík. We’re
especially pleased that you can actually
get your kebab in pita bread here. The
falafels aren’t bad either.
(2011: Habibi)
BEST COFFEEHOUSE:
KAFFISMIðJAN
Kaffismiðjan wins best coffeehouse for
the fourth year in a row now. If Mokka
Kaffi weren’t already a coffeehouse
institution, it might be entering this
sacred territory. Much like last year,
however, Kaffismiðjan had some com-
petition, in particular from Café Haiti
and C Is For Cookie, so it is certainly not
invincible. Why is it winning again? As
one of our trusted coffee drinkers ex-
plained in simple terms: “Brilliant cof-
fee and atmosphere.” Their lovely pink
roaster, which they put to work weekly,
certainly doesn’t hurt either of these
things and if they keep it up they might
just be edging onto institution territory.
Runners-up: Café Haiti, C Is For Cookie
(2011: Kaffismiðjan,
2010: Kaffismiðjan
2009: Kaffismiðjan)
BEST COFFEE-TO-GO: KAF-
FIFéLAGIð
We would probably enjoy lingering at
Kaffifélagið if their facilities allowed
for it, as the atmosphere surrounding
this café on Skólavörðustígur is always
cheerful and attractive. Likewise their
lattés, americanos and cappucinos are
made with love and pride, guarantee-
ing a consistently great cup every time.
A dependable and high standard of
quality place Kaffifélagið at the top of
Reykjavík’s coffee-to-go hierarchy for
yet another year.
(2011: Kaffifélagið
2010: Café Haiti
2009: Kaffifélagið)
BEST NEW COFFEEHOUSE:
STOFAN
Stofan has been around for a little over
a year now, and even though the small
café’s appeal and reputation have been
steadily growing within some circles it
remains unknown to most of Reykja-
vík’s coffee drinkers. Stofan’s biggest
draw is its “relaxed and comfy atmo-
sphere,” and its superb coffee and
“tasty baked goods” will keep you com-
ing back.
(2011: C is for Cookie)
BEST TEA:
LITLI BÓNDABæRINN
While Icelanders LOVE their coffee
and tend to be coffee drinkers over tea
drinkers, we decided to make this cat-
egory last year because some people
actually do drink the stuff. Te og Kaffi
won it last year, but we think Litli Bónd-
abærinn is making the best tea these
days. “At Litli Bóndabærinn, the service
is brilliant and they know the difference
between their teas,” our resident tea
drinker argued.
Runner-up: Tíu Dropar (“Tíu Dropar
have friendly staff and they have loose
tea”).
(2011: Te og kaffi)
BEST SUSHI: SUzUSHII
Last year suZushii in Kringlan won be-
cause they were “consistent, fresh and
have everything you need, even though
you have to go to effing Kringlan to get
it.” This year someone argued: “Su-
Zushii is just the best, best tasting su-
shi. I know for a fact that it's the only
sushi place the Japanese embassy will
use when they hold a function.” If it’s
the only sushi that the Japanese Em-
bassy uses, we think they must be do-
ing something right.
Runner-up: Sushi Train. It can be fun to
sit around a conveyor belt and it’s also a
great option if you’re not super hungry.
(2011: SuZushii
2010: Sushibarinn
2009: Sushismiðjan)
BEST VEGETARIAN: GLÓ
Being a vegetarian in Iceland is kind
of like being a tea drinker in Iceland.
People typically eat meat and drink
coffee here. That said, there are some
vegetarian restaurants around, and
one of those, Gló (though not strictly
vegetarian), is pretty hot these days.
The chef at this raw food joint Solla
Eiríksdóttir received some international
recognition in the raw food world this
past winter, and she’s opened a sec-
ond restaurant in Kópavogur. People
were pretty much in agreement that
Gló takes best vegetarian again. “They
know what they’re doing” and the res-
taurant is “in a league of its own,” as
a couple of people noted. Note that Á
Næstu Grösum, the winner in 2010 and
2009, no longer exists.
Runners-up: Grænn Kostur and Krydd-
legin Hjörtu. The latter is not strictly
vegetarian, but you can get good veg-
etarian food there.
(2011: Gló
2010: Á Næstu Grösum
2009: Á Næstu Grösum)
BEST HANGOVER MEAL:
VITABAR
As one mail-in noted: “Getting past
the smell of stale beer at Vitabar is an
essential first step in parting with any
well-earned hangover. Stuffing your
face with their greasy burgers and fries
is the second. If you’re still hung over
after that ritual, you can always get
started on a new hangover and wash
everything down with a cold beer.”
Runners-up: Past years’ winners, the
trucks at Grái kötturinn and Prikið, still
possess a great allure for those nurs-
ing hangovers in downtown Reykjavík,
while Noodle Station, Vegamót and
even KFC have their fans.
(2011: The Truck at Grái Kötturinn
2010: The Truck at Prikið
2009: The Truck at Grái Kötturinn)
BEST SOUP: HöFNIN
This year the most heart-felt appeal
was for the seafood soup at Höfnin
down by the harbour. “They serve the
lobster, shrimp and the fish in a huge
bowl and they pour the soup over it. It’s
reasonably priced for a huge dish. You’ll
leave really full. Not to mention, Höfnin
has a beautiful view over the marina,”
one of our correspondents said, adding
(pleading) “PLEASE consider this.”
Runners-up: Noodle Station (“It’s
cheap and delicious and smells so good
whenever you walk by”), Kryddlegin
Hjörtu (“Namm”).
(2011: Kryddlegin Hjörtu
2010: Most soups at Súpubarinn
2009: Lobster soup at Sægrei-
finn)
BEST PLACE FOR A FANCY
MEAL: GRILLMARKET
For a city its size, Reykjavík hosts a
remarkable number of above average
fine-dining establishments where one
can splurge and spend ones way to
glorious, decadent oblivion. Farm-to-
table themed luxury steakhouse Grill-
market is one such place, and accord-
ing to many of our correspondents it is
the current best bet for fancy dining in
a nice (if slightly overwrought environ-
ment). “Having already won the hearts
of Reykjavík foodies through her work
at Fish Market, master chef Hrefna
Rósa Sætran has outdone herself with
Grillmarket—they do an amazing job ev-
ery time I go there, whether I’m dining
deep-fried harðfiskur, calamari, lamb
or one of the BIG STEAKS from Háls in
Hvalfjörður. I’ve recommend it to all my
friends, and once they visit they, in turn,
recommend it to theirs”
Runners-up: Constant favourite Dill still
have their die-hard fans, even though
they seem to be losing their appeal
a little (“it’s too pricey”), while Gal-
lery Restaurant at Hótel Holt (“classy,
tasty and relatively affordable”), Fish
Company (“dependably delicious”) and
newcomer Rub23 (“lavish”) were all
mentioned quite often.
(2011: Dill
2010: Dill
2009: Gallery Restaurant at Hótel
Holt)
BEST PLACE TO GO FOR A
DATE: SUSHI SAMBA
Departing from our theme of recom-
mending cosy Italian restaurants as
suitable destinations for a romantic
BEST PIZZA: LA LUNA TRATTORIA-PIZZERIA
BEST ‘SPECIALTY BURGER’: VITABAR’S ‘FORGET-ME-NOT’