Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.02.2017, Page 31

Best Of Reykjavík 30
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 02 — 2017
Árni Kristjánsson, an ex-Japan
expat and current Reykjavík res-
ident, recently moved back after
eight and half years in Tokyo. He
brought back a masters degree in
music culture, and some more use-
ful language skills. Árni works, as
he describes it, "as a tour guide for
Japanese groups for bullion, which I
exchange for disco, funk and boogie
records for my collection, which
comes in handy when I DJ at Prikið
or Kaffibarinn." His electro-rap
chaos-hop band TZMP just released
a debut follow-up longplayer and
they are preparing an album release
party at Prikið on Feb 9, featur-
ing guests 7berg, Kocoon and Ozy.
Here's Árni's ideal Reykjavík day.
Early Morning
Once there’s a decent amount
of coffee cranking through my
system I set out to work, where
I’m usually whisked away on the
Golden Circle or along the South
Coast, which is often quite the de-
light. However, if I’m off, I usually
wake up to a familiar small screen
where I peruse Facebook, Twitter
and Reddit in rapid succession
until my eyes bleed.
Lunch
I often end up downtown after
sightseeing tours around Reykja-
vík, which without fail means I’ll
get a falafel at Habibi. Work lunch-
es outside of the city are almost
always lamb, which I totally love
in moderation, which lamb has a
hard time accepting. On days off I
usually whip up a french omelette
a la Jacques Pépin, or a selection
of Middle Eastern nouveau riche
dishes from one of several Yotam
Ottolenghi cookbooks I possess.
Mid-Day
I love Lucky Records. Going there
and listening to the My Favor-
ite Murder podcast whilst going
through the soul records does for
me what pilates or yoga does for
other people. I also deeply appre-
ciate rummaging through thrift
shops for random odd bits and
things. I pray every day for more
shops to open.
Afternoon
The post-mid-day festivities can
include skateboarding, Laserdisc
hunting, amateur graphic design
and shopping, but rarely do. When
I use my afternoons to get non-
work work done, I lay down some
80s electro beats (think Egyptian
Lover and not Ed Banger) for my
band TZMP and eagerly await
fresh, hip and cool lyrics from my
partner in crime Robert Zuckakis.
Heat Of The Night
If I’m at home I like to get real
comfortable and squeeze in an
intimate hour w ith eBay and
Discogs to plenish my shelves.
Those sessions can then result
in middle-of-the-night wake-up
calls and frantic last-minute bid-
ding (record nerds: I know about
sniping, I like to think I’m old-
fashioned that way). If I’m out
and about I visit my DJ haunts for
brew and/or down chai-infused
gooseberry vodka cocktails with
the Plútó DJ crew.
SHARE: gpv.is/mag02
For your mind, your body and your wallet
Árni Kristjánsson's
Magical Reykjavík Wonderland
SELECTION
FROM BEST OF
REYKJAVÍK
2016
Best Veggie Burger
Kaffihús
Vesturbæjar
Melhagi 20
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar, also
known as Kaffi Vest, is nestled
in the 107 postcode, and has be-
come a hip spot for Reykjavík’s
west-side movers and shakers.
Choosing the best veggie burg-
er was, surprisingly, one of the
most heated debates this time
around for our Best Of maga-
zine. Kaffi Vest wins for hav-
ing not just one, but two great
choices. Of these, our favou-
rite is a bean-based burger in
crunchy breadcrumbs, served
with rosemary potato wedges
and an avocado-based mayo-
style dip. It’s plain delicious,
whether you’re vegan or not.
Best Shop To Pick Up Local
Design
Kraum
Bankastræti 7a
Kraum is a perennial favourite
of tourists and locals alike.
Opened in 2007 as a collabo-
ration between two dozen lo-
cal designers, Kraum has al-
ways defined the cutting edge
of trends in Icelandic design.
Now, the shop sells work by over
100 local artists and design-
ers. You’ll find everything here
from unique souvenirs to Ice-
landic takes on everyday items
like stationery, handbags, rain-
coats and jewellery.
Best Art Museum
Hafnarhúsið
Tryggvagata 17
The Reykjavík Art Museum has
three locations: the beautifully
designed Ásmundursafn sculp-
ture garden and museum, the
rotating collection of paint-
ings and contemporary shows
at Kjarvalstaðir, and Hafnar-
húsið, which is Iceland’s largest
contemporary art institution—
think Tate Reykjavík. Each has
its own character, but if you
only have time for one, Haf-
narhúsið is right in the heart of
downtown, and often has three
or more exhibitions running
concurrently, so you’re bound
to find something you like.
There’s a great café and book
shop, too.
Words GRAPEVINE
Photo VARVARA LOZENKO
“Awesome experience”