Back in Iceland…
Friday (17 June; incidentally, Icelandic National Day, when they won independence from Denmark)
We didn’t experience the crazed crowds associated with European flights as published in the NY Times a few days before our flight. We got there 3 hours early and breezed through. Forgettable pre-flight meal at Legal Seafood, which has become even more expensive than ever (they guys split a salad topped with salmon, I had a cup of chowder). Logan’s Terminal E continues to be an embarrassment, food-wise.
Saturday (18 June)
As is our custom, arrive around 4:30 am and pass out in the hotel until ~ 1 pm. It’s a glorious day in Reykjavik - nary a cloud in the sky, full-on sun. Breezy but 50F-ish. We venture out for the first of many hot dogs for the guys (at Víkinga Pylsur, close to the main church).
We check out Nordic House, which is beautiful. There is an interesting vegan restaurant inside, SÓNÓ. It’s a bit too sit-down nice-ish for us at that awkward hour (4 pm) but I take note for a future visit.
We head to West Town, which amazingly we’ve never checked out before. The guys hit the West Town pool. I pass on the pool today - I need to do some menu planning for the days ahead, when our friends join us (2 adults + 4 kids) so I walk across the street to Kaffihús Vesturbæjar, a cozy rustic coffeeshop/restaurant which is filled with locals on their pleasant patio. I nurse a glass of rose and figure out how and what the heck to cook for 9 people, wanting to give my friends a break from their everyday lives. I pop into a grocery store, which is well-stocked but I’m not quite ready to do a big shop yet. My friends’ kids love pesto and they worried about getting pesto here and were considering bringing pesto in their checked luggage, which to me sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I took this photo to send to them (they’re still home in MA).
We decide on a pizza dinner at Raðagerði Veitingahús - some of the best pizza we’ve had in Iceland. Neapolitan-style, flavorful chewy crust (not charred as we’re accustomed to seeing but that’s ok by us) - margherita, potato pizza, warm olives, wine and beer. Mostly locals, as far as we could tell. Located on the coast with wonderful views.
We check out today (Sunday) and head south, in the direction of Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands). We’ll spend 2 days there before meeting our friends out on Heimaey.