Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.02.2013, Blaðsíða 43

Ó Ð I N S T O R G 1 0 1 R E Y K J A V Í K Í S L A N D S N A P S B I S T R O . I S
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In Iceland, the expression “tíu dropar”
is a cute way of saying that you’d like a
small cup if someone offers you coffee.
And it doesn’t get much cuter than the
café Tíu Dropar. It’s easily one of the
cosiest and most family-friendly places
in Reykjavík and a great spot for waffles
and hot cocoa.
Le Chateau des Dix Gouttes has
the same cosy atmosphere but the em-
phasis is on charcuterie, cheese, light
courses and wine (but of course!).
They have two types of platters.
The small one with a small portion of
saucisson and one type of cheese (500
ISK) and a larger one with four types
of cheese, olives and a larger portion of
saucisson (2000 ISK). We ordered the
larger one and although it doesn’t quite
have the Slippbarinn platter beat it’s
still a perfectly nice plate of salty things
to go with your wine. The goat cheese
and blue goat cheese were killer, the
olives were tasty, but the prosciutto was
bland and boring.
They also offer sandwiches (rang-
ing from 1190 to 1490 ISK), served on
thick slices of actual real bread—not
the greasy sauce-and-cheese massacres
we’re used to in Iceland, but definitely
juicy enough.
The soup is a clear lamb soup in a
very French style—light and cooked just
right. I’d definitely recommend it. And,
at 1390 ISK plus coffee and bread, it’s
not a bad deal.
We started with Cuvée Bouchard
Aine Rouge, a mild and inoffensively
fruity bistro wine, which was the weekly
special when we visited in December.
Then later we turned to baser conver-
sation fuel and started swilling some
cheap Montes Cabernet. I must also
mention that they offered us a glass
of some truly fantastic glögg (mulled
wine) although that was just for the
holiday season.
It’s a pretty modest selection of
food but it’s a good place to hang out on
a Thursday night if you’re in the mood
for something a little less hectic.
And it’s an interesting concept to
divide the business into two different
shifts like this. I would love to see a
more extreme metamorphosis; maybe
a place with secret levers that rotate the
walls theatrically and reveal a whole
new design. Or maybe have contrasting
uses for the space—a pet shop by day
and an abattoir by night? A kindergar-
ten by day—an opium den by night
(I’ve seen them during nap time and it’s
not such a stretch).
The Bruce Wayne Of Basement Bistros
Le Chateaux des Dix
Gouttes
Le Chateaux des Dix Gouttes
Laugavegur 27, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: +354 892 3574
https://www.facebook.com/
LeChateauxDesDixGouttes
Mon- Sun: 20:00– 01:00
What we think
A modest selection of light bistro
dishes and wine
Flavour:
Rustic French
Ambiance:
Cosy, romantic, quiet
Service:
Fast and domestic
Price for 2 (with drinks):
5-6,000 ISK
The coffee house 10 Dropar is leading a double life. By day it is a mild-mannered, coffee house, but by
night it turns into a louche French bistro of clandestine rendezvous and impromptu Bande à Part dance
numbers (probably).
RAGNAR EGILSSON
ALÍSA KALYANOVA