Atlantica - 01.11.2002, Page 54

52 A T L A N T I C A
i-site RESTAURANTS❍
It’s back. The wild game buffet at Hótel Loftleidir has made its annual holiday return.
For the past 15 years, chefs at Hótel Loftleidir have prepared the premier wild game buf-
fet in Iceland, where diners can enjoy starters and main courses of ptarmigan, pigeon,
goose, duck, reindeer and, of course, Icelandic lamb. It’s the perfect way to sample a
wide variety of wild game.
“It’s the oldest wild game buffet in town,” says Reynir Magnússon, head chef at Hótel
Loftleidir. “There’s a great selection, great wine and excellent service.”
The wild game buffet runs on Fridays and Saturdays, with a special Sunday night buf-
fet to close it out on 17 November, after which, Hótel Loftleidir will begin celebrating
the season with a special Christmas buffet (22 Nov to 22 Dec) put on by the celebrated
Danish chef Ida Davidsen, who will prepare traditional Danish sandwiches known as
smørrebrød. These open-face sandwiches are also a tradition here in Iceland, as
Davidsen has been coming to Iceland for years. So get ready for copious amounts of
herring and smoked and pickled salmon.
But that’s not all. Chefs at Hótel Loftleidir will serve up traditional Icelandic skate on 23
December, Thorláksmessa (Saint Thorlákur Day). And for anyone in Iceland on ‘Turkey
Day’, Hótel Loftleidir will prepare a Thanksgiving feast.
If you’re planning to enjoy music and a fine meal at Hótel Loftleidir, make sure to fol-
low the advice of the head chef: “Call ahead.”
Hótel Loftleidir, Hlídarfótur, 101 Reykjavík.
For reservations, phone on (+354) 562-7575.
The holidays. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than by going out to din-
ner with good friends and family. Edward Weinman dines out at Hótel Loftleidir and
Perlan, Iceland’s most elegant restaurants.
If you like a grand view with your
meal, head to Perlan, the restaurant
at the top of the Pearl. Perched high
above Reykjavík, the circular, glass-
covered restaurant slowly spins
offering guests a 360° view of the
Reykjanes peninsula. Look out to the
sea, then on to the lights of the
world’s northernmost capital:
it’s mesmerising.
But the view is only half of the dining
experience. Through 13 November a
wild game buffet will be on offer, and
then come 14 November, Perlan will
once again resume their special
Christmas buffet.
“It’s quite an event,” says Stefán
Sigurdsson, the restaurant’s manager.
“We have cooks cutting up whole
steaks in front of the guests. The
atmosphere is terrific.”
For a taste of how popular the
Christmas buffet is Stefán points to
the fact that at press time, seven
nights were already fully booked.
With a buffet table that’s over 20
square feet, the chefs putting on a
show, and a view to die for make
those reservations straight away.
Perlan, Öskjuhlíd, 101 Reykjavík,
tel: (+354) 562-0200.
Perlan
Celebrating the Season
Hótel Loftleidir
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