I discovered Reyjavik’s Radisson Blu‘s top floor restaurant from Maria (aka @mariafonn) who works at the hotel at the end of a late night after being disappointed by a selection of wines by the glass – not something the city does well in general. When she discovered I was a foodie, she insisted I try out Grillid, Radisson Blu’s award-winning restaurant, which touts the magical creations of head chef Sigurdur Helgason.
I’ve never been a fan of restaurants in hotels, particularly chain hotels, but in this case, I would have missed out on one food orgasm after another had I turned down the invitation. Rising eight stories above street level and providing breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the warm and intimate surroundings of Grillid (Grillið in Icelandic) Restaurant is a must-do experience when in Reykjavik.
You can order ala carte or do a three, four or seven course tasting menu 8,400, 9,400 and 11,400 kronas respectfully — $70, $80 and around $95-100, obviously without wine). For starters, you can choose from a grilled langoustine, kohlrabi from Ingolfur and lovage, a marinated prawns with avocado puree, cod mousse with lemon and rosepepper corn sorbe, pan fried plaice with broccoli, olive oil and Icelandic cheese Isbui or salt baked beets, with green apples, cheese, pistachios and spruce vinaigrette. Below is the lamb tartar with crispy bread and dried green cabbage.
Cod muse with raw marinated prawns, lump fish roe, avocado puree, lemon, pink pepper sorbet and ruccola.
Then came the pan fried plaice with char grilled broccoli and a broccoli ragu with sunflower seeds using a smoked Ísbui (cheese) emulsion. The foam on top is made with Ísbúi and olive oil.
Grilled langoustine, kohlrabi and salted lemon. BTW, they salt it for two months and then use the skin only. I loved this dish as well as his beautiful preparation!
Also to die for are his salted baked beets with homemade cheese, pistachios, green apple and nasturtium.
Then, imagine being presented with a two months dry aged rib of beef (also char-grilled). It is served with oyster mushrooms, grilled scallions, pearl onions, watercress, and onion glace. (Note: the onions in the glaze is cooked for 30 hours).
Before you dive into desserts, try their selection of Icelandic cheese with apple and onion chutney and crisp bread from Icelandic barley.
If you’re a dessert person, then how about a pre-dessert for a added bonus? In this case, they served brown cheese, strawberry and rose sorbet.
Helgason is known for stepping outside the box, such as this unusual but very delicious chocolate brownie served with yoghurt and green peas and mint sorbet.
Sigurður Helgason will bring you to one food orgasm after another with his magical creations. He began his career at The Pearlan restaurant in 1998 and within a year, was voted comme of the Year in 1999. He has even worked for the presidents office of Iceland as a pre-vide chef assistant under strong guidance of Sturla Birgisson and has worked as a private chef in England, Ireland and New York. He decided to travel extensively and work in leading restaurants to help shape his food style in cuisine. And, it shows.
Note: I was hosted by the restaurant, but all opinions expressed here are entirely my own. Go here for hotels/resorts and for food in Iceland / Iceland restaurants / top Iceland restaurants.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
