Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.05.2018, Side 44

Grandi Mathöll: In
The Arms Of The Sea
A new food hall is setting sail this summer
Words: Björn Teitsson Photo: Art Bicnick
The Reykjavík restaurant scene is
going through a paradigm shift.
Until recently, most of the restau-
rants in the Greater Reykjavík met-
ropolitan area were heavily con-
centrated in the city’s downtown
centre. Now, the downtown area it-
self is stretching, with new up and
coming neighbour-
hoods expanding in
both directions.
One of the cata-
lysts for the east-
w a rd s ex pa n sion
was the revolution-
ary opening of the
Hlemmur Mathöll
food hall, opened in
an old bus station just
over the line of the 105 postcode. At
the other extreme of Reykjavík 101
is Grandi, a concrete harbour and
industrial area, which is stretching
this area to the west. Lo and behold,
a new food hall has appeared on
the horizon, in the shape of Grandi
Mathöll.
Quality at a fair price
Reykjavík foodies have been debat-
ing restaurant prices for as long as
there have been foodies. Or restau-
rants. One of the main elements
steering the prices higher than the
Arctic Circle is the ever-increasing
value of downtown Reykjavík real
estate. High rent forces restaura-
teurs to jack up their rates, thus
passing the cost on to customers.
Hlemmur Mathöll, and soon
Grandi Mathöll, have changed
the game. “The fact
is that we’re just
on the edge of the
downtown area, but
still close enough
for people to come
walking through,
gives us an advan-
tage,” says Franz
Gun narsson, the
events and market-
ing manager of Grandi Mathöll.
“As a street food hall, the vendors
will be able to price their delicious
offerings reasonably, which is im-
portant to the nature of such halls.”
Diversity on the Costa
del Reykjavík
Grandi Mathöll offers quite lit-
eral harbourside dining. An out-
door seating area is planned for
the southern area, which will be
perfect on sunny days. Guests can
stroll around, or sit watching ships
come in, all whilst enjoying deli-
cious treats.
The seaside location is a focal
point—but there’ll be much more
to see, says Franz. He enthusiasti-
cally talks through the vendors,
from a wine bar, to Vietnamese
and Korean restaurants, to the
Rabbarbarinn fruit and veg stall,
and a pop-up spot for new inno-
vations. “There’ll also be meat on
offer at Fjárhúsið, supplied by Dan-
iel Hannesson from Þistilfjordur,”
he continues. “Then, Gastro Truck
will offer high end street food. And
the sea will be represented, for
sure—Fusion Fish and Chips are
on hand, oysters will be available,
and a salmon and champagne bar
called Lax is exciting , too.”
The perfect date
The new development is set to open
very soon, on June 1st—during the
Icelandic Festival of the Sea, quite
appropriately. “It’s been a dream of
ours to put this in place for quite
some time,” says Franz. “Things
are still a bit rustic, but we’re get-
ting there. To be able to open dur-
ing the Festival of the Sea will be
a perfect time to introduce our-
selves to the people of Reykjavík,
locals and travelling visitors from
all over.”
A musician himself, Franz
hasn’t forgotten the stage. “We
will produce concerts, stand-up
comedy, pub quizzes, and more,”
he finishes. “Grandi Mathöll will
offer food and leisure, at the per-
fect location by the harbour. It’ll
be the full embrace of Reykjavík
as a city.
Find the best
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R E S T A U R A N T
w w w . b a n t h a i . i s
Laugavegur 130, Hlemmur, 105 Reykjavík Tel : 6 9 2 - 0 5 6 4, 55 - 22 - 444
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FISH panS
icelandic "plokkfiskur"
Onion, garlic, potatoes,
celery, lime, white wine,
cream and butter
1,950 isk

arcTic cHar
Honey, almonds, cherry–
tomatoes, lemon and butter
2,200 isk
redfisH
Chili, celery root, sour cream,
corn, lemon and cream
2,200 isk
plaice
Tomatoes, capers, parsley,
lemon and butter
2,200 isk
salmon (lacTose–free)
Parsnip, broccoli, cashews,
coconut oil, chili and lemon
2,200 isk
our fisH pans are always served
wiTH buTTer–fried icelandic
poTaToes & fresH salad
any pans
for
luncH?
lækjargaTa 6b, 101 rvk · 546 0095 · messinn@messinn.com
Grandi Mathöll: in the hands of Franz
“Grandi
Mathöll will
be the full
embrace of
Reykjavík as a
city.”
Food