It had been a cold, sleeting day and night in Reykjavik. I just wanted a nice dinner for myself, by myself. Luckily, I was staying at Hotel Natura in Reykjavik; their restaurant Satt (Icelandic for “true”) was just starting a special buffet on weekends for the Christmas season. There’s a slight discount for guests staying at the hotel, it worked out to be about $58. I have to say, I really picked right!
This wasn’t some ordinary hotel buffet. It was warm and elegant, with a live jazz combo playing Christmas tunes. Wandering around the tables took a little of the chill off of dining alone.
It was an opportunity to sample Icelandic favorites, without being totally committed to one thing or another. Everyone started with a smoked goose soup served in a Ball canning jar and garnished with a dollop of rich creme fraiche and fresh herbs. Stunning! It had mushroom and poultry flavors in a bisque consistency.