Swanky interior – kicked myself I didn’t get bathroom photos!A sneaky selfie of my view – stunning weatherThe menuBread (not counted as a course or a taster)This was lamb, and the white powder was ‘vinegar dust’. I have no idea how or why this dish came, perhaps the unlisted amuse bouche, which happens a bit?
Left is the Birch alcohol; right is my cocktail which was Reyka vodka, crowberry liqueur, birch liqueur, lime juice and ginger beerSmoked puffin with goats cheese, berry gel and rye bread crumble. The day after this dinner, I went somewhere where they bake rye bread in the ground using geothermal heat – takes about a day.Jackson Pollack dish! The reds are beetroot – both a juice and a puree, for the Ocean Perch, which was ever so lightly steamed, and the first warm dishMinke whale with parsnip puree and crisps – I was meant to get just one ‘pile’ but they made a mistake and I got two. Maybe this was the dish that took me into ‘too full it hurts’Sea trout on Himalayan salt slab – the thin apple slices prevent it getting too salty, but I ate an apple slice just to see, yep, salty. Left the other one. Oh, and seaweed againPlaice – fish – samphire – sea weed, citrus beurre blanc and mashed potatoesLamb – this was a substantial size for a degustation, and I seriously struggled to finish it. It was crusted in salt, which is sold in tourist stores for $14 per tiny plastic baggy (or same weight in a glass jar at no extra cost which I liked)Vanilla espresso martiniSkyr based dessert – the Icelandic dairy dish skyr is everywhere!
The overall experience was wonderful. My usual waitress was Lithuanian (second I’d met in Iceland) and happy to help and generally pretty bubbly. I was initially worried when the menu said only for tables of two or more, but it wasn’t a problem. Interesting the first few dishes were quite rapid in coming, but then there became long lapses between the mains (the fish and the lamb particularly). I had nowhere else to be, but I’d forgotten to bring a novel, due to a small handbag, and in the end, resorted to writing on my map!! Of course, like absolutely EVERYWHERE in Iceland, there was wifi, so I could also occasionally chat with people in Australia. Seems a bit vulgar, but I didn’t have company with me.
8 Replies to “Degustation at Apotek”
Gorgeous presentation! When I finally get there, I know there are lots of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Reykjavik – I don’t think I would be up for the traditional cuisine!
I did notice some vegetarian options – you’ll likely see more of the seaweed then. Interestingly, I noticed a lot of my self catered meals are vego, just easier. They aren’t very balances at all (museli bars or gnocchi) but y’know.
I was initially horrified seeing the price of the tasting because I’m used to the Danish Krone conversion. I was assuming the Icelandic Krona would be similar given the similarities throughout Scandinavia, but apparently not. That actually seems pretty reasonable for a tasting menu somewhere that has to import so many of the ingredients! Very interesting dishes too! I really should do more tasting menus, I’m always drooling over yours.
I did work out a tasting or degustation menu would give me a range of things to try, at a price that made better sense to me, than trying all the odd combos across full sized square meals. I’d be willing to sacrifice again, and do it this way, cause the contrast of ‘cheap’ meals to one high end one, is WONDERFUL!!
I think next ‘dream’ destination is Copenhagen, for sure, and may add other Scandinavian countries for value for money (it’s a long way to come for one country in my opinion!)
Ah yes, I waited to see the Bride and Groom, post wedding, to confirm it was OK to post about the wedding. I have redacted their names, but the post just went live 🙂 It’s been such a lovely trip… more so than last year’s!
Gorgeous presentation! When I finally get there, I know there are lots of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Reykjavik – I don’t think I would be up for the traditional cuisine!
I did notice some vegetarian options – you’ll likely see more of the seaweed then. Interestingly, I noticed a lot of my self catered meals are vego, just easier. They aren’t very balances at all (museli bars or gnocchi) but y’know.
I was initially horrified seeing the price of the tasting because I’m used to the Danish Krone conversion. I was assuming the Icelandic Krona would be similar given the similarities throughout Scandinavia, but apparently not. That actually seems pretty reasonable for a tasting menu somewhere that has to import so many of the ingredients! Very interesting dishes too! I really should do more tasting menus, I’m always drooling over yours.
I did work out a tasting or degustation menu would give me a range of things to try, at a price that made better sense to me, than trying all the odd combos across full sized square meals. I’d be willing to sacrifice again, and do it this way, cause the contrast of ‘cheap’ meals to one high end one, is WONDERFUL!!
I think next ‘dream’ destination is Copenhagen, for sure, and may add other Scandinavian countries for value for money (it’s a long way to come for one country in my opinion!)
I think all I can comment is, “Wow!!” It looks amazing. I’m still in awe of those amazing wedding food pics on fb. So beautiful!
Ah yes, I waited to see the Bride and Groom, post wedding, to confirm it was OK to post about the wedding. I have redacted their names, but the post just went live 🙂 It’s been such a lovely trip… more so than last year’s!
All looked wow! Except whale. I wouldn’t eat the whale. Just because.
But pretty Puffins are ok 😉