When I told people I was going to Iceland the second most common response (after Iceland? Really?) was “Did you see that Anthony Bourdain Iceland episode?” Most people seemed certain I would starve during my visit and also reminded me that Anthony Bourdain called hakarl disgusting or something along those lines. fortunately, fermented Greenland Shark was not in season. Sadly, I missed Puffin season by a few days but starving was not a possibility. The food was actually good.
Breakfast consisted of bread, cheese, meats, tomatoes, cucumbers, skyr, muesli and lots of rich dark coffee. Icelanders understand that if you can see through it, it ain’t coffee. Such a yummy breakfast kept me happy. Sometimes we stopped for lunch, sometimes we just grabbed a flaky crescent and a cup of coffee. More happiness.
But nothing compares to the sheer joy of my dinner at Fjorubordid in Stokkseyri. My husband and I both ordered the three course meal. Before the end of
the first course, it made my list of the top five meals I’ve ever eaten. The creamy lobster soup was nirvana. It was a beautiful shade of pink with giant chunks of lobster jutting above the brim of the bowl. Icelanders reportedly drive hours just for the soup and I can understand why. The quality ingredients and simple preparation let the key flavors– cream, butter, lobster, garlic and tomato–stand out. Excuse me a moment. I must wipe some drool from my mouth.
Okay. I’m back and on to the second course – a big pot of steamed Icelandic lobster (actually langoustinos), mini potatoes and lots and lots of garlic butter. I’m glad they came shell on because the few seconds it took to separate the meat from the shell slowed me down enough to appreciate the firm texture of the lobster and it gave me a opportunty to get garlic butter all over my fingers. There are simply not enough times we get the tactile experience of eating a messy meal with our fingers after we are above the age of three. The sides, an assortment of salads and pickled things, accompanied the lobster nicely.
I finished with a big slab of chocolate cake and a cup of black coffee. It was almost too much. Almost, but not quite and that is why my dinner at Fjorubordid makes my top five meals list. I added a handy link so you can drool a bit too. My photos don’t do the food justice.
So all in all, we ate pretty good in Iceland. I’d go back.
Lyra's Musings 