We spent our last two nights at UMI Hotel as it was halfway between the capital and the famous Jokulsarlon Lagoon & Glacier in the extreme southeast, allowing a one day journey to visit these sites along the southern coast as well as to hike to a glacier and zodiac around the lagoon! we were exhausted after leaving at 8am and returning at 7pm and chose to dine in the hotel which was a great choice.
The bar has gorgeous views onto the nearby mountain glaciers and the dining room faces the grassy and black sand beaches on the Atlantic Ocean; what could be more beautiful and relaxing?
The menu was simple, but the choices were all great and I knew the second I saw Minke Whale Tataki with Leek and Wasabi for a starter that I would have to return to that amazing dish so brilliantly prepared in Iceland. Whale tartare is slightly seared and seasoned beautifully to taste like a fishy sirloin and this came with pickled blueberries to boot. it was a dream dish that I know I won't see again for some time.
Will started with the Icelandic Scallops with Sunchoke Puree, Onion Pearls, Black Lumpfish Caviar all in a Champagne Sauce with a Nasturtium on top. it was a beautiful dish and super tasty as well. We were enjoying our well-deserved Dirty Icelandic Vodka Marinis, which were quite good pours I must add. Will chose the Reyka brand and I opted for the herbal Helviti(which we easily found in the duty free the next day, as well as others!!). Bread came with creamy butter topped with chive oil.
For the second night in a row, we chose the same main course, and it was a real winner for our farewell dinner: Confit of Arctic Char was a magnificent fish with Spinach Dumplings (four huge ones) with semi-dry tomatoes(I thought they meant sun-dried, but they were just broiled or grilled), romesco sauce, veloute, herbs and all topped with trout roe. The Icelandic love their fish, and this was the winning fish dish the whole trip for sure. We enjoyed a bottle of Petit Bourgeois white from Henri Bourgeous that was a great and not too expensive choice.
The dish was so rich and huge neither of us could fathom dessert, but we did head back to the bar at about 1030pm after we finished for a glacier view as we drank a glass of yummy Bjork Birch Liqueur! We could not have had a better time and better food than we did in Iceland and look forward to returning again as we fell in love again with the people and the country!
