Trip report: 5 days in Iceland
Mar 15th, 2017, 12:38 PM
#41
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Eggs are fine. It's not *hard* getting fruits or vegetables, it's just that the selection is very limited if you're self-catering. It's like going to a U.S. supermarket from 30 years ago where you can only count on having Red Delicious apples, bananas and oranges plus iceberg lettuce, carrots and onions. It's hit or miss with other items, and outside of Reykjavik I never saw the kinds of leafy greens that are so common here.
Mar 16th, 2017, 02:22 AM
#42
It's not *hard* getting fruits or vegetables, it's just that the selection is very limited if you're self-catering.>>
PegS - I am hoping that things have changed in the last 10 years or so. In one supermarket we saw someone berating the staff about the state of the potatoes, which were indeed unusable. We had plenty of fruit and veg in the restaurants and guest houses we ate in, but we could never work out where they bought them from as we couldn't find them in the shops when we were trying to cater for ourselves. But yes, the Skyr is good [and I still resent the fact that I was prevented from taking a large pot of it onto our flight home!]
PegS - I am hoping that things have changed in the last 10 years or so. In one supermarket we saw someone berating the staff about the state of the potatoes, which were indeed unusable. We had plenty of fruit and veg in the restaurants and guest houses we ate in, but we could never work out where they bought them from as we couldn't find them in the shops when we were trying to cater for ourselves. But yes, the Skyr is good [and I still resent the fact that I was prevented from taking a large pot of it onto our flight home!]
Mar 16th, 2017, 06:26 AM
#43
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Ditto on what PegS said about the fruit and veggie selection in the markets. When I visited markets I basically skipped the produce section entirely. I didn't recall anything there standing out. I did however, spend a lot of time in the Skyr section because there was so much to choose from!
We stayed at an airport hotel and even the fruit salad they featured in their breakfast left a lot to be desired. I think it was just oranges and apples. It's understandable given the climate and what it takes to import fruit. I think as long as you adjust your expectations, you'll be fine!
Come to think of it, it's not unlike ordering a salad in Europe and getting 1 or 2 lettuce leaves, a few slices of tomato, and maybe a strip or 2 of carrot. I think as North Americans we're so used to leafy greens, spinach, and a variety of veggies in our salads.
We stayed at an airport hotel and even the fruit salad they featured in their breakfast left a lot to be desired. I think it was just oranges and apples. It's understandable given the climate and what it takes to import fruit. I think as long as you adjust your expectations, you'll be fine!
Come to think of it, it's not unlike ordering a salad in Europe and getting 1 or 2 lettuce leaves, a few slices of tomato, and maybe a strip or 2 of carrot. I think as North Americans we're so used to leafy greens, spinach, and a variety of veggies in our salads.
Mar 17th, 2017, 01:04 AM
#44
Come to think of it, it's not unlike ordering a salad in Europe and getting 1 or 2 lettuce leaves, a few slices of tomato, and maybe a strip or 2 of carrot. I think as North Americans we're so used to leafy greens, spinach, and a variety of veggies in our salads.>>
When did you last order a salad in Europe, lindygirl? That sounds like something you'd get 30 years ago, not now.
When did you last order a salad in Europe, lindygirl? That sounds like something you'd get 30 years ago, not now.
Mar 17th, 2017, 04:55 AM
#45
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Here is a copy of the report I did on food in Iceland in 2011. I can't image that it has changed much.
Food in Iceland
Posted by: SusieQQ on Jun 20, 11 at 3:04pm
For anyone interested Here is a list of the some of the food that I had on my Iceland trip.
Skyr a mixture of yoghurt and low-fat curd blended with fresh fruit. I can get this at Wegmans here at home but it isn't nearly as good.
Hakarl putrefied shark. Ok I only tasted this. Greenland Shark which has been buried in gravel for months, washed by the tide and hung to dry in the outdoors. Smells and tastes like ammonia.
Smoked Puffin: I am ashamed to admit this. Dark meat which tasted fine. Served with baby root vegetables.
Gravlax: appetizer of raw salmon cured in salt, sugar and dill and served with a dill and mustard sauce. The one I had was accompanied by thinly sliced radishes and caviar. I loved this so much that I ordered it more than once.
Fish: I had Arctic Char, Turbot over pureed lentils, Grilled and Baked Salmon (of course I didn't have to ask if it was farm raised or wild), and Plaice. All were very good.. Preparation was usually quite light and lovely.
Lamb: I usually don't eat lamb, but I had Medallions cooked rare and very tender.
Icelandic Meat Soup: A kind of vegetable soup with lamb meat cubes. Available at restaurants at major tourist sites. Very good.
Foamy Mushroom Soup: Don't know much about this except it was mushroom soup and it was foamy instead of liquid. Very tasty.
Creamy Lobster Soup: Very nice, but the lobster tails floating in it contained over-cooked meat. Maybe they were for decoration and not meant to be eaten.
Potatoes: Many entrees were accompanied by plain boiled potatoes or sautéed baby potatoes. For some reason they were delicious and needed no extras to enjoy.
Barley: I had an appetizer with barley, broccoli and herbs which was very nice.
Sandwiches: Combinations of veggies, sliced eggs, some with ham on nice rye or grain bread are available prepackaged at various locations such as gas stations.
Desserts: I didn't have many desserts, but did have Blueberry Ice Cream, Ice Cream whipped with Strawberries and mixed with little hard candies, Apple Crisp, Oatmeal Cake.
Hot Dogs: Everything I read said that the Icelanders love Hot Dogs and that they would be available everywhere. I am not a fan of Hot Dogs, so I didn't go looking for them. The most famous stand is near the harbor in Reykjavik and always has a line of people.
Food in Iceland
Posted by: SusieQQ on Jun 20, 11 at 3:04pm
For anyone interested Here is a list of the some of the food that I had on my Iceland trip.
Skyr a mixture of yoghurt and low-fat curd blended with fresh fruit. I can get this at Wegmans here at home but it isn't nearly as good.
Hakarl putrefied shark. Ok I only tasted this. Greenland Shark which has been buried in gravel for months, washed by the tide and hung to dry in the outdoors. Smells and tastes like ammonia.
Smoked Puffin: I am ashamed to admit this. Dark meat which tasted fine. Served with baby root vegetables.
Gravlax: appetizer of raw salmon cured in salt, sugar and dill and served with a dill and mustard sauce. The one I had was accompanied by thinly sliced radishes and caviar. I loved this so much that I ordered it more than once.
Fish: I had Arctic Char, Turbot over pureed lentils, Grilled and Baked Salmon (of course I didn't have to ask if it was farm raised or wild), and Plaice. All were very good.. Preparation was usually quite light and lovely.
Lamb: I usually don't eat lamb, but I had Medallions cooked rare and very tender.
Icelandic Meat Soup: A kind of vegetable soup with lamb meat cubes. Available at restaurants at major tourist sites. Very good.
Foamy Mushroom Soup: Don't know much about this except it was mushroom soup and it was foamy instead of liquid. Very tasty.
Creamy Lobster Soup: Very nice, but the lobster tails floating in it contained over-cooked meat. Maybe they were for decoration and not meant to be eaten.
Potatoes: Many entrees were accompanied by plain boiled potatoes or sautéed baby potatoes. For some reason they were delicious and needed no extras to enjoy.
Barley: I had an appetizer with barley, broccoli and herbs which was very nice.
Sandwiches: Combinations of veggies, sliced eggs, some with ham on nice rye or grain bread are available prepackaged at various locations such as gas stations.
Desserts: I didn't have many desserts, but did have Blueberry Ice Cream, Ice Cream whipped with Strawberries and mixed with little hard candies, Apple Crisp, Oatmeal Cake.
Hot Dogs: Everything I read said that the Icelanders love Hot Dogs and that they would be available everywhere. I am not a fan of Hot Dogs, so I didn't go looking for them. The most famous stand is near the harbor in Reykjavik and always has a line of people.
Mar 17th, 2017, 06:04 AM
#46
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I remember the famous lamb soup at the Gullfoss cafeteria was quite good, and I recall you could get a refill? The version at the restaurant at Reynisfjara in Vik was okay, and the one at the cafeteria at the Dimmuborgir cafeteria in Myvatn was terrible.
Mar 17th, 2017, 06:44 AM
#48
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annhig - The last salad I got was in Portugal in late Oct 2016 (we went there straight from Iceland). It was exactly as described! Even posted a picture in my trip report for Portugal. It came as a side to my roasted fish but it was very plain. Lettuce, 2 slices of tomato, and 2-3 strips of carrot.
Mar 17th, 2017, 11:54 AM
#49
I stand corrected, lindygirl. But did you order a salad or was it a garnish that came with the fish? I agree that garnishes are often quite uninspired but usually now if you order a salad they try a bit harder than that.
Mar 17th, 2017, 01:25 PM
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annhig - It was a garnish that came with the fish. I think the salad that came with my trout tarte in Iceland was fancier but it was just fancier lettuce, aka mixed greens rather than just romain. I think was scared off of ordering salads in Europe after seeing one too many sad side salads. Truthfully I've never ordered a salad as a meal so maybe Europe's salad game has improved a lot but I wouldn't know! 
Mar 17th, 2017, 02:15 PM
#51
well, lindygirl that's your problem. you are confusing garnishes which are basically put on the plate to tart it up a bit with a salad that you order as a proper dish. Really you are comparing apples and pears and grumbling that one isn't as good as the other.
Mar 18th, 2017, 06:47 AM
#53
gosh lindygirl - that was gracious of you. I was thinking that I'd been a bit harsh in my last reply to you - after all we're only talking about salads. so my apologies if I came over a bit strong.
Mar 18th, 2017, 02:38 PM
#55
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annhig - Haha! Thank you for your last post. I was thinking about how to respond and my initial reaction was to justify my position but didn't see the need to explain my perspective because then it becomes about us each of us explaining our own perspectives.
You made me realize that it's true that I don't know much about salads in Europe because I never order them while I'm there so who am I to judge how good they are? So thank you for making me aware of my own biases! And maybe one day I WILL order a salad and enjoy it. And I have you to thank for it.
You made me realize that it's true that I don't know much about salads in Europe because I never order them while I'm there so who am I to judge how good they are? So thank you for making me aware of my own biases! And maybe one day I WILL order a salad and enjoy it. And I have you to thank for it.
Mar 18th, 2017, 02:42 PM
#56
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Treesa - my pleasure! Yes, Iceland is way up there in terms of a destination. I have no idea why the surge in popularity but it seems like it's the hottest place on the planet. My theory is that it's appealing to travelers who are already well traveled who are craving something different and new. I hope you get to visit and enjoy all it has to offer!
Mar 18th, 2017, 05:37 PM
#57
lindygirl, really good report. I read your Portugal one first--more interested in Portugal than Iceland at this time. I also fly out of SFO and have been wary of WOW, thinking that for such long flights it might feel too budget. But you thought it was fine, it seems. Were there entertainment options? For what it's worth, I usually fly AF or KLM to Europe. But WOW has such incredible prices, very tempting.
Mar 18th, 2017, 07:16 PM
#58
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Leely2, thank you! WOW Air felt similar to Southwest Airlines. No frills but comfortable enough. I was pleasantly surprised by how roomy the plane was. They have no in flight entertainment - neither a screen for the entire cabin nor in the headrest in front of you. They did have outlets for you to plug in your devices. No meals either, not even for purchase. They just had snacks or snack boxes.
It's a good deal and I'm glad I tried them! I've never flown AF or KLM so I can't comment but I would rank them way above Ryan Air, Vueling, and EasyJet. Those may not be comparable since I think they're short haul flights but those are the other European budget airlines I could think of that I've taken.
It's a good deal and I'm glad I tried them! I've never flown AF or KLM so I can't comment but I would rank them way above Ryan Air, Vueling, and EasyJet. Those may not be comparable since I think they're short haul flights but those are the other European budget airlines I could think of that I've taken.
Mar 19th, 2017, 07:10 AM
#59
And maybe one day I WILL order a salad and enjoy it. And I have you to thank for it.>>
or not as the case may be!!!
Phew - I'm glad that we haven't fallen out about this - that would have been too silly as you say. And I'm sure that I could benefit from having some of my biases challenged too.
or not as the case may be!!!
Phew - I'm glad that we haven't fallen out about this - that would have been too silly as you say. And I'm sure that I could benefit from having some of my biases challenged too.
