Reykjavík Grapevine - nóv. 2019, Blaðsíða 16

Reykjavík Grapevine - nóv. 2019, Blaðsíða 16
The Reykjavík Grapevine Best of Reykjavík 2019 16 Best Brunch Coocoo’s Nest Grandagarður 23 Family-run restaurant Coocoo’s Nest of- fers a memorable brunch, with options ranging from a filling, spicy breakfast burrito to green eggs on sourdough bread. Located out on Grandi (they’ve been out there since before it was cool), the walk along the harbour will clear your head on the way; in summer, you can sit outside and catch the sun, and in winter, the cosy interior feels al- most like a secluded fairy-light-strung yard. The service is right, the food spot on, and the healthy beetroot mimosa is a fresh and tasty hair of the dog. Runners Up Snaps Þórsgata 1 Snaps serves up the perfect laid-back brunch for your Sunday morning recovery session. Choose from various omelettes, classic eggs benedict, and croque monsieurs, and add a mimosa if the mood strikes you. If that isn’t your tipple of choice, they have a great bloody mary and a g’n’t menu. Cafe Paris Austurstræti 14 Cafe Paris is a bright bistro with casual panache with food to match. The panel praised the fried chicken and waffles, and the stacks of pancakes with bananas and almonds. They lamented, however, the cancellation of table ser- vice, which diminishes the Parisienne vibe and kept this otherwise excellent joint off the top spot. Previous Winners 2018: Cafe Paris 2017: Vox 2016: Coocoo’s Nest Best Lunch Place Hlemmur & Grandi Mathöll Hlemmur & Grandagarður 16 When it comes to lunch, Reykjavík’s two food halls are top of the pile. It is, after all, a major increase over the zero food halls we had in 2016. As you might ex- pect, the main attraction is the variety on offer. Members of a group can mix- and-match their dishes and drinks from the different concessions to fit anyone and everyone’s hunger level, budget, vegetarianism, allergies, etcetera. Chase your heart’s desire, be it Nordic, Thai, Mexican, Korean, a pastry, a panini, or just a plain ol’ pile of lamb meat. Runners Up Hannesarholt Grundarstígur 10 The historic Hannesarholt culture building has gotten a new lease of life. Formerly a quiet coffee spot, it reopened as a restaurant focusing on locally sourced produce. It’s a concise selection: we tried the juicy, crisp salm- on with wholesome beets and quinoa. Vegans can rejoice too: there’s always one option on the menu. Newcomer Mímisbar Hagatorg Rather than a limp slice of pizza or re- heated soup. Mímir has a Michelin-level kitchen and two handsome portions of colourful, Nordic deliciousness for un- der 2,000 ISK (at the time of writing) in a swanky but unpretentious dining hall. “Mímir,” FYI, is the disembodied brother of the Norse god Odin. Pretty metal. Previous Winners 2017-8: Snaps 2015-6: Ostabúðin (RIP) Best Ice Cream Skúbb Laugarásvegur 1 Ice cream is one of those ethereal pleasures that encapsulates the mantra of living—be present. Unlike the sugar crazed concoctions in every supermar- ket aisle, Skúbb elevates the ice-cream games with their flavour-forward, dense, creamy scoops. Seasonal favourite man- go is an absolute treat, while the dark chocolate brownie is lusciously bitter. The non-dairy sorbets are intensely fruity, indicating the absence of imita- tion flavours. Every scoop is a downright treat, especially with the promise of summer looming large. Runners Up Ísbúð Huppu Álfheimar 2-6 Selfoss based ice-cream joint Huppu, with their happy cow logo, may not be a vegan haunt, but this thoroughly Icelandic incarnation serves up all the time honoured local classics—creamy soft serves, assortment of dips and toppings with fruit to candy ratio being 1:100 and the hyper-local bragðarefur ice cream and candy smoothie. Valdís Grandagarður 21 & Frakkastígur 10 Despite stiff competition, Valdís continues to draw the crowds. If you cannot bear the thought of queuing behind an impatient Icelander—ticket system long forgotten—they now sell their wares in supermarkets. The store scoops are a notch above though, so drop in at Grandi or Frakkastígur. Previous Winners 2018: Skúbb 2013-7: Valdís Best Lamb Matarkjallarinn Aðalstræti 2 Icelandic lamb is raised simply—all summer long, the sheep are left outside to graze, and come fall, the lamb makes a bee-line to the plate. It’s only fitting that Matarkjallarinn honours Icelandic lamb in the most unpretentious fashion. Grassy and intense, Icelandic lamb needs to be handled delicately for its unique flavour to shine through—do too much and you’ll overshadow this tender meat. By foregoing frivolous add-ons, Matarkjallarinn lets the lamb speak for itself. Runners Up Grillmarket Lækjargata 2a Grillmarket is still the go-to place for many locals looking for a fancy evening out. For most, it means ordering the lamb and a bottle of wine. And rightfully so. The lamb chops or charcoal grilled steaks are always a winner—the smoky char is but a natural foil to the grassy meat. Apotek Austurstræti 16 Whatever lamb is being served here, rest assured it’ll be a meal to remem- ber. With experienced chefs who share an unbridled passion for meat and fire, all the plates come out perfectly executed. Currently, they have a rack of lamb that’s a visual treat—get it while it lasts. Previous Winners New category!

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