This is not Wadi Rum
Rashid at Helensburgh’s Akash is bemused by the number of places that Hector is able to report from for Curry-Heute. Iceland? The Land of Fire and Ice, including a certain Volcano that caused havoc to European Travellers five years ago, exactly at the time this Blog was born. Eyafjallajökull is calm currently, however, Iceland has many more Volcanoes that can erupt any time.
This is a School Trip, conceived two years ago, Twenty Six Weans and Three Staff, such are the Expectations of working at a Top Independent School in the West of Scotland. This trip is very much Hector’s – Last Hurrah – before retiring in June. I may not have mentioned this for a few Postings. The original plan was Jordan, to gaze back across the Jordan Valley from the East Bank and perhaps even cross over to Emek Hayarden where the Yarmuk meets the Jordan River below – Kibbutz Ashdot Ya’akov (Me’uchad). The ongoing events in Syria shelved this. There is probably more chance of finding Curry in Iceland.
With the temperature around zero as it has been since we landed, and near continuous precipitation, we were happy when Palle, our Excellent Driver, dropped us at the Kringlan Shopping Mall. Two hours to pass before the rest of the group went Whale Watching.
The shops did not open until 10.00, we arrived at 09.50. As we surveyed what was on offer, there was an immediate sense of delight when the Hradlestin Express (Kringlan, 4-12, 103 Reykjavik 101) Indian Street Food was spotted. This would not open until 11.00, time to get the taste-buds salivating.
Marg was stiff finishing her coffee upstairs when Steve and Hector entered Hradlestin just before 11.00. We were advised of the opening time but took our seats opposite the Food Displays regardless.
Despite the photos on display, no Main Courses were available. This suited Hector who had other plans for this afternoon. The Mixed Course looked to be the Snack most suitable for the Hector – Lamb and Vegetable Samosas with Onion Pakora. Steve was almost sold on a Naan with Spicy Fries but matched Hector in the end. With Two Soft Drinks this lot would not be cheap. This is Iceland.
The Bill
ISK3330, or £16.49 in real money. The Portions of course would surely be Huge!
The Samosas could not have been Smaller. The Food was not particularly Warm, just in?
After a couple of days on Burgers and Variants, it was good to taste Proper Food. There was a Dip which contained Coriander and a Kick. The Palate was being Titillated.
Marg appeared and ordered the same. The three of us agreed that the Dip made the Dish an Experience. We could have done with more.
Question – In Iceland, why do Bottles of Orangeade say – Appel?
The Aftermath
Palle drove us to Reykjavik Harbour, Hector took his leave. Three hours in a boat in the North Atlantic? Hector would feel queasy in a Rowing Boat on Queens Park Boating Pond. Four hours of freedom, a chance to see Downtown Reykjavik.
Four, maybe Five sources of Indian Curry revealed themselves on other Social Media websites. What chance a Lunchtime Curry?
Shalimar (Austurstraeti 4, Reykjavik 00101) as the first Venue located. The sign said it is a Pakistani outlet, there was hope. But. Opening at 16.00 the notice on the door said. The Menu displayed on the window included a Lamb Punjabi Karahi. What chance a Lunchtime Curry then another at 16.00? For Research Purposes, Dear Reader.
Behind Shalimar lies the Gandhi Indian Restaurant (Posthusstraeti 17, Reykjavik).
This would not open until 17.00, their loss. 17.00 was when Hector had to meet the returning Whale Watchers.
John S emailed me yesterday and included a video link to the Indian Mango. With a name as famous as this, it had to be searched for. Google Maps provided the location and even a comment dated last week. It ain’t there. This locus is now an Italian Restaurant. Hector even asked a passer-by. Indian Mango is no more. (I did not enjoy writing those words.)
Two more venues were nearby.
Austur India Fjelagid (Hverfisgata 56, 101 Reykjavík) and Hradlestin, (Hverfisgata 64a, Reykjavik) the Restaurant, are both sited on the street parallel to Laugaveur, the Main Shopping Street. Both were closed. There was no sign of life at Austur India Fjelagid, however Hradlestin provided opening times over this Holiday Weekend for all four of their Outlets. Hector learned a word of Icelandic today – Lokad – closed. The Ringlan Shopping Centre was the only open outlet. Serendipity once more.
Another Hradlestin outlet was found later by chance at Laekjagarta 8, metres from Ghandi and Shalimar. Clusters of Curry houses?
The Kitc
hen Eldhus (Laugaveur 60a, Reykjavik 101) was not far from the main Hradlestin, again closed. This venue admitted to selling Nepalese Cuisine. Hector would only consider this as a last resort.
And so we have it, a Chain and Four Independents. Tomorrow I will find out what Bambus (Borgartúni 16, 105 Reykjavik) have in store for us. From the inception of this Trip it was contracted that Hector would be fed Curry.
Meanwhile, would Shalimar be open at 16.00?
Time to walk back to the Hotel Cabin to recharge.