When the Vikings arrived in Iceland, their culinary concerns revolved around food preservation, not flavor. That led to distinct specialities — still enjoyed by Icelanders today — such as hrútspungar and hákarl . Thankfully, the advent of refrigerators, along with abundant natural fisheries, has decreased dependence on such idiosyncratic fare, and visitors today will be able to peruse an Icelandic menu without too much trepidation.
At the center of the country’s restaurant scene is Sjávarkjallarinn . Housed in the capital Reykjavík’s oldest underground storeroom, which served as a stable in the late 18th century, the restaurant is known for its fusion of Asian flavors with fresh Icelandic fish, served within hours of being caught. The menu changes twice a month and recently included enticing entrées like a blue lingcod seasoned with red ginger, wasabi and shiso , and crispy salmon with soybeans, saffron and parsley. Other dishes, like a succulent barbecued lamb chop garnished with pecans and cèpes, benefit from Icelandic husbandry: the island’s sheep spend their summers grazing freely in pristine mountain pastures.
Substance, however, doesn’t detract from style. Sjávarkjallarinn has a reputation for its chichi clientele who come to indulge in one of Reykjavík’s priciest menus and the restaurant’s delightfully over-the-top presentation. Sashimi arrives on billowing beds of mist, courtesy of dry ice. Prawns and langoustine must be fished out of glass jars. Almond-and-lime skyr, a strained Icelandic cheese, is served on a banana leaf, wrapped like a present with bows and cellophane paper. The elaborate packaging is charming, but ultimately unnecessary: flavor and freshness make a meal at the Seafood Cellar a gift in itself. For details, see www.sjavarkjallarinn.is.
See 50 authentic American travel experiences.
Got an awful travel gripe The Avenger may be able to sort it out for
you. Click here to
tell us your problem.
