Delivering the goods!
Tryggvaskáli – www.tryggvaskali.is
Tryggvaskáli is a place worth visiting for a real culinary adventure. An ambience rich with history run by serious chefs of considerable talent. A cool menu focusing on mostly local, quality ingredients. They even have their veggies specially grown for them. Any dish here is worth the try and the menu goes through seasonal changes, however, the wild salmon is more than a must, it is a revelation.
It takes about an hour to get from Reykjavík to Selfoss, the largest town on the south coast, population 7000. Elsewhere in the world places this size would not even have a gas station, but this is Iceland.
The quality of this place took me completely by surprise. A beautiful old house on the riverbank recently renovated and it is obvious that great care has been taken in getting the right look, both colours and carpentry. Upon entering it just gets better. Painted panelling, retro furniture, cross-stitching and old china all come together in a completely harmonious look full of historic richness and tasteful selection. Ask the staff about the history of the place and if possible get the full tour. The theme and look might be classical but the food is full on rock and roll. The chefs that own and run the place have worked some high end kitchens and bring all their experience to the table. The menu changes seasonally but they focus on first class local produce, organic lamb, wild salmon and specially grown vegetables. The presentation and composition of each dish is a carefully constructed frame of desire topped by taste and texture. When I first walked into this place I liked it straight away. It feels right. People have passed through here for over a century and one wonders what those walls would show us given the chance. The house is in good hands now as is any customer that comes through these doors. All I can say is that I hope they keep it up, the good atmosphere, the great food and the professional yet friendly service. I want to keep returning to this place for years to come.
