Atlantica - 01.06.2011, Page 78

76 a t l a n t i c a
Eat, Meat & Fish
SPECIAl PRoMotIon
reykjavík’s chefs know how to feed their people. Here is a guide to the vie gourmande in the capital and beyond.
IcElaNDa
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101 Hótel Vogue, GQ, Elle and Condé Nast
all agree—when you come to Reykjavík
there is only one destination for a truly hip
night out: the restaurant and lounge at 101
Hótel. Deriving its name from the most styl-
ish postal code in the North Atlantic, 101’s
casual dining room is a chic but relaxed get-
away with clean, elegant lines, heated oak
floors and a sizeable communal fireplace—
the ideal spot for a pick-me-up before the
theater, one of the more adventurous three-
course meals in the capital or even fabulous
drinks to kick-start a big night on the town.
Much like Indian/Icelandic chef Gunnvant
Ármannsson, the kitchen at 101 represents
the best of Iceland infused with intriguing
flavors from abroad. This fall Ármannsson
puts his spicy roots into the menu with warm
flavors like Vindaloo chicken, homemade
mango chutney and even coconut and gin-
ger crème brûlée. 101 also maintains strong
ties to the harbor and local farmers, mean-
ing the kitchen offers the freshest catch of
the day, along with superior Icelandic lamb,
arctic char and langoustine lobster. Unique
food, swish design, laid-back atmo… this
place is a dish. Kitchen open until 11—kick-
ing bar after hours.
580 0101. 101hotel.is
Dill Located in the beautiful Nordic House
Dill restaurant opened in 2009, but already
sits atop the mountain as one of the most
interesting and exciting restaurants in town.
Led by chef-sommelier duo Gunnar Gísla-
son and Ólafur Ólafsson, Dill excels in the
modern, local flavors of New Nordic Food.
Everything from the cutlery to the somme-
lier’s suit is of Nordic origin; you won’t even
find olive oil in this kitchen. In the daytime
Dill serves relaxed brasserie style lunch and
coffee, in the evening there is a 7-course set
fine-dining menu, including champagne and
coffee. Fried plaice with the namesake Dill,
artichokes with seaweed, smoked haddock
and blue mussels, and to finish an almond
cake with cinnamon cream… Is your mouth
watering yet? And what better setting than
the Nordic House, designed by renowned
Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and located in
the Vatnsmýri plains, the view over down-
town Reykjavik is simply breathtaking.
552 1522. dillrestaurant.is
FisH Market Take the sophistication of
New York and pair it with the elegance of
Paris and the trendiness of Tokyo, and you
have the formula for Fish Market’s unbeat-
able atmosphere. Match that with its equal-
ly spectacular haute cuisine with an Asian
flair and you have the recipe for a restau-
rant that’s here to stay. The crown jewel of
its kitchen is the nine-course tasting menu
whose highlights include miso-marinated
black cod served with tiger prawns and apri-
cots, king crab with chili and lemongrass,
and arguably the most tender quail on the
planet complemented by a delicate bar-
beque sauce. The restaurant has also earned
a well-deserved reputation for its sushi and
sashimi, as fresh as it is elegant. Located in
the heart of downtown, no detail is spared.
Tea lights illuminate the soft, rich furnish-
ings, and highlights of bamboo and Asian
flora create a trendy atmosphere to which
the city’s glitterati come flocking. Save room
for the sorbet: green tea, lychee and blood
orange. The perfect scoops are almost too
beautiful to eat. 578 8877. fishmarket.is
FjöruborDiD Lobster. That’s what the
dining experience at Fjörubordid (The
Seashore) is all about, where Icelandic
lobster, or langoustine, is served delicately
grilled and drizzled with melted herb but-
ter and a spritz of lemon. As a starter, its
flavor infuses the delicate creaminess of the
lobster soup, the self-proclaimed ‘Best in the
Republic of Iceland.’ Although you can also
find a tender lamb filet or vegetable-filled
puff pastry on the main course menu, lob-
ster is what makes this seaside cozy eatery
in the village of Stokkseyri, 60 kilometers
from Reykjavík, so popular with locals and
visitors alike.
483 1550. fjorubordid.is
Geysir bistro & bar Housed in the
same building as the Tourist Information
Center and sitting directly above The
Seafood Cellar, Geysir Bistro and Bar is
an airy, spacious pit-stop for a hearty, un-
pretentious meal. While Geysir makes no
claims of being a gastronomic eatery, the
menu offers a satisfying array of fish and
meat dishes, burgers and sandwiches and
an inventive selection of starters using
high-quality local produce. With swift and
attentive service, generous portions and
a well-conceived wine list, Geysir is the
perfect venue for a dinner among friends
or for a couple looking to break away
from the kitchen and treat themselves to
a burn-free, mess-free, washing-up-free
evening out. 517 4300. geysirbistrobar.is
GullFoss kaFFi The ultimate lunch stop
along the Golden Circle route, family-run
Gullfosskaffi by the iconic waterfall Gull-
foss is especially beloved for its Icelandic
meat soup. Filled with local lamb and
vegetables and at 1350 ISK (including refill
on all three of soup bread and butter) one
of the more affordable lunches around,
this favorite leaves nobody hungry. They
also offer a selection of bagels, salads
and sandwiches, and several home-baked
cakes. Try their most popular blueberry
cheese-skyr cake, with a cup of Italian
style espresso by one of the best views
in the country. All the food is made from
scratch with the best local ingredients,
and no shortcuts taken—as is to be ex-
pected when the family who has run the
restaurant for the last 18 years are from a
farm background themselves. The warm,
swift and friendly service, reflects that
personal touch too (and with 400 seats
there is always space at the dinner table,
even in the busiest season). Quick, simple,
local, affordable and super tasty—could
there be a better road-trip lunch spot?
And did we already mention the view?
gullfoss.is