Walking around a new(ish) city with a fun group of folks, eating really yummy food with an engaging, fun loving, knowledgeable guide is a fantastic way to kick off an evening. Twelve of us met up at the Harpa Concert Hall (more on that in a later post) at 5 pm and followed Dave, our tour leader to Fjallkonan (the Mountain Woman) Restaurant. We started out in a cold windy drizzle. The temperature = 50 degrees F but felt like 41. As we walked along, we chatted with our fellow food enthusiasts.
We loved the Arctic Charr – on a blini with fish roe and a yuzu dressing and the slow cooked duck on a pita.
After the delicious appetizers and delightful conversation, the rain ceased just in time for us to sample the famous Reykjavik hot dog. This is the only Hot Dog stand that can call itself the best in Iceland…I forget why…anyway the address for your GPS: Tryggvagata 1. I probably haven’t eaten a hot dog in 25 years. This one, with its Icelandic ketchup, Icelandic mustard, remoulade sauce and deep fried onions was really quite good. That sweet mustard though.
Next up, and just a short walk away, we entered Messin. Oh my goodness. Really good food. Arctic Char baked in honey, butter and limes, cherry tomatoes and almonds. We also enjoyed a typical Icelandic treat: Plokkfiskur commonly known as fish mash…it’s Icelandic comfort food…served on amazing pumpernickel bread. My Chilean Sauvignon Blanc paired nicely. Tim enjoyed a Ginger Beer.
Our visit to Islenski Barinn included traditional Icelandic meat soup, an opportunity to taste fermented shark, fish jerky and a tasting of Icelandic White Ale.
Leaving that cultural and culinary experience we stepped outside to sunny skies and walked up the colorful Skolavordustigur Street, snapping pics along the way.
Last up: Cafe Loki and Rye bread ice cream with whipped cream and caramel rhubarb syrup. And one of the renowned Cats of Iceland…evidently this cutie is famous on Instagram.
