Iceland Day 2: Evening

I got back to the hotel around 4:30. And I jumped directly into a hot shower after pealing off my wet layers. I was chilled to the bone - especially my legs. 

I have to admit I took one of the longest showers in a long while. But I had just learned all about the various power sources and knew it was a "clean" shower - minimum green house gases so less guilt. 

I felt so much better changing into a warm sweater and jeans and my slippers. I was on the fence of packing the slippers and the second pair of jeans. So glad i did. Two pair of pants would have been pushing it. 

I discovered my tv is stuck on the music video Chanel again. At least I got to see some non American videos while getting ready for dinner. Saw Steal My Girl a second time. 

I checked on my clothes and boots that I had laid out on the heated floor in the bathroom. The clothes are doing well but not my boots or hat. I pulled out my loafers and bundled up. The hat was dry enough to slap it on as I ran out the door in the hopes of arriving early at the Seafood Grill before it got too busy. I didn't have a reservation and heard it was marvelous from different sources - food blog, colleague at work and the planes magazine. They have a Taste of Iceland sampler that is just the thing to get the variety - all in one meal. 

I almost talked myself out if going since I was nice and cozy, not really hungry and the place was a hike. But tomorrow night I doubt I'll venture far, if at all. So now or never. 

I headed out and no rain. Just windy. My feet were ok, even with shoes with no socks, it's warm after all. I had my cozy cashmere shawl wrapped up as a scarf so that helped. I went through back streets and cutest little neighborhood. I spied the wallpaper in one of my hotel rooms advertised. With cactuses in the window!

The cutest little architecture. This red one is my favorite. Unfortunately darkness is descending. 

It was a bit if a hike up the hill and I'm a little worried about tomorrow's hike/climb. I'm a tad out if shape since I'm not riding my bike to work now. U should have down some training. Here's hoping...

I found another shopping center which makes Reykjavik suddenly bigger. It was missing the amount of stores I was expecting - they were just up in this neighborhood. 

The Seafood Grill is this cute little place. Nice and cozy with beautiful wooden ornaments hanging from the ceiling. I saw them yesterday at the design store. They were the one thing I almost bought. I snagged one of the last seats, in a cozy corner. It gives me a good view of the place and people watching. 

The first course came with some fish and roasted beef with some other stuff and foam on top. Melt in your mouth beef and the flavored are so modern and clean and layered.  As I'm eating I realize I was hungry after all. Still trying to pace myself and not eat too much bread. Too bad it's too dark to take decent pictures of the plates. 

The smoked puffin, whale, and goose sampler just arrived. I think the puffin is my favorite although I heard the whale melts in your mouth, not so much but still delicious. The goose I liked but am still chewing on it. The presentation is superb - this time in a wooden board the amuse boushes are around a central raspberry sorbet. I tried using it as a palette cleanser in between. There are so many little goodies if flavored and textures. I ended with the candied something. 

I'm going cross eyed finishing up the lamb dish. So many little components with moments of crusted sea salt. I have eaten more than my poor little stomach is used to. But couldn't help cleaning my plate. And next up dessert - I'm thinking I'll only have a bite or two of the white chocolate mousse. I'm a little worried though - the waitress just asked if I wanted coffee with my desserts. Yes - with an S. hopefully it was just her accent.  

Ok there's hope. I just took a bathroom break - all the water and am feeling better. Had my first BM of the day I realized. I still look like I'm expecting with my full belly. 

And the ceiling in the bathroom was this strange mix of hanging light bulbs, empty light sockets and big shower heads?!

Talk about presentation!  The dish comes out in another wide white bowl. The white mousse is arranged as three small mounds peaking out from under a thin white chocolate dusk about the size of a small grapefruit, sprinkled with candied nuts. The waitress presents the dish and then proceeds to pour a drizzle of hot caramel aver the top. The disk of chocolate slowly melts into the mousse in certain places in this slow motion journey, revealing a few raspberries and a small dollop of raspberry sorbet in the middle. 

It tastes delicious with the mix of mousse with caramel and raspberry sorbet. I did take more than a few bites. I couldn't finish the remaining disk of chocolate - too much sugar but I eat the rest. Ending with a bite of  the light sorbet. What a meal! I'm glad I have a bit of a walk home. 

As I'm strolling back and window shopping, check out this cool mobile:

A gentleman stops me on the street and asks if I speak English. I say that I do but that I don't know how helpful I'll be. He asks me wear the Seafood Grill is - the one place I know. As I turn back to point out the directions I see the grand church framed at the end if the street. I'm sorry I don't have time on this trip to visit but am glad I'm focusing on the outdoor excursions, no matter how cold and wet. I recommended the fish platter and headed on my way. A block later I realized I should have mentioned I hoped he had reservations. By the time I left I overheard the wait was two hours. 

On my walk home the empty street if my first morning is bustling. The Paris Cafe on the corner is packed, the English Pub next door isn't doing do well - two line figures at the bar. I guess although I've mostly seen British tourists, they don't want to go to the pub while on travels. A little further down the Brooklyn Bistro is busy as well as the Pakastanian place across the street. 

And that's me. I'm turning in and gearing up for my big excursion tomorrow - hiking on a glacier and ice climbing. I'm really glad I paid extra for boots, wind jacket and pants. Here's hoping tomorrow I'm not as wet and cold. I'm sure I'll be tired by the end of the day.