Reykjavík Grapevine - 16.06.2016, Side 18

Lágafellslaug
Words MAGNÚS SVEINN HELGASON
Photo ANNA DOMNICK
Lágafellslaug is hands-down one of
the very best pools in the Reykjavík
area. It also offers the best sauna.
This one has almost everything.
Just a few years old, the pool is
a great example of what we could
term “Scandinavian welfare-state
architecture.” Modest while radiat-
ing prosperity, it is simple enough
while providing everything you can
hope for in a good Icelandic pool.
The dressing rooms have a nice
enclosed garden area for outdoor
showering, and an excellent steam
bath with a glass wall overlooks the
pool area. The sunbathing spot also
offers a lovely view of Mt. Úlfarsfell.
Lágafellslaug’s main attraction
is definitely its sauna, which is un-
questionably the best you can find
in the greater Reykjavík area: a large
traditional sauna with virtually no
drawbacks.
Ok, there’s one drawback: its
size. The sauna comfortably seats
15-20 people. Coupled with Iceland-
ers’ lack of proper sauna culture,
this results in folks wandering in
and out every few minutes, loud
conversations and hordes of un-
ruly children, transforming what
should be a place for quiet contem-
plation into a loud bus stop.
But, the sauna is wonderful. It
has a large rest area with benches
and showers, and even a tiny en-
closed garden with a couple of
benches where you can cool down
and watch the sky change colours.
The pool is perhaps out of the
way, but it is an ideal place to stop
when you arrive back in Reykjavík at
the end of a trip around the country.
SHARE: gpv.is/pool3
Starts with a shot of the Icelandic
national spirit “Brennivín“
Puffin
Smoked puffin with blueberries,
croutons, goats cheese, beetroot
Minke whale
Date purée, wakame, teriaky
“Torched“ Arctic charr
Cucumber, truffle ponzu vinaigrette
and yuzu mayo
Icelandic roll – 4 pcs
Gravlax roll with Brennivín (Icelandic
traditional Snaps) and dill. Avokado, mango,
cucumber, dill mayo, rye bread crumble
Reindeer
Reindeer slider with blue cheese,
portobello, steamed bun
Rack of icelandic lamb
Onion purée, slow cooked leeks,
chimichurri, baked carrot
And to end on a high note ...
Icelandic Skyr
Skyr infused with birch,
berries, white chocolate
crumble, and sorrel granite
7.990 kr.

Sushi Samba
Þingholtsstræti 5 • 101 Reykjavík
Tel 568 6600 • sushisamba.is
Laugavegur
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Lækjar-
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Our kitchen is open
17.00–23.00 sun.–thu.
17.00–24.00 fri.–sat.
Amazing
7 course menu
A unique
Icelandic
Feast
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 8 — 2016
18
POOL OF THE ISSUE
QUOTE OF THE ISSUE
Address
Lækjarhlíð 1, Mosfellsbær , 101
Reykjavík
Opening hours
Mondays-Fridays: 06:30-21:30
Saturdays-Sundays: 08:00-19:00
Hot dog stand
No, it’s Mosfellsbær. Go to Áslákur.
Family destination
Ace!
Crowds of foreigners
It’s a suburbanite pool all the way.
What's special
It’s a bit out of the way so the local
feel is definitely authentic.
“What can I say? Sore
loser. Tough shit. What
does he expect - for us to
play like Barcelona against
him? He fannies about and
dives around ”
- Football player Kári Árnason's response to Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo's verbal
attack on the Icelandic football team after Iceland demolished Portugal with a 1-1
defeat in the European Championship.