Perlan: Elegant Fine Dining in Reykjavik, Iceland
Perlan: Elegant Fine Dining in Reykjavik, Iceland
Nestled in a revolving glass dome high on a hill above Reykjavik, is Perlan. Widely regarded as the best restaurant in Iceland by celebrated chefs and locals alike, Perlan was one of the first fine dining restaurants in Reykjavik. The polished service, exquisitely prepared food, and sweeping panoramic views all underline Perlan’s status as a world-class restaurant.
We first learned about Perlan from my dad, who had once visited around 1998. His strongest recommendation was that we make a trip to Perlan, if anything to just have a cocktail in their bar and admire the rotating views. After a bit of googling, it seemed as if Perlan was still the classic restaurant my dad had remembered, with an international menu featuring culinary highlights from around the world. We had to see what all they hype was about!
Sitting at Perlan I instantly could imagine my dad sitting in my very seat drinking some sort of whiskey and getting excited over the meat options. The spacious dining room is classic luxury - white tablecloths, waiters in fine suits and the type of class that is somewhat lost in more contemporary designed restaurants...Oh what I would have paid to have a great rendition of Lady is a Tramp by Frank Sinatra bellowing around the floor.
The Perlan tasting menu presented culinary highlights from around the world, each creatively prepared and presented. Our dinner started with a warm winter salad of Jerusalem artichokes and ruccola, followed by ling fish topped with shiitake mushrooms, fennel and onion foam. The main course was lamb filet and lamb shank with drizzles of hazelnut and celeriac puree – perfectly highlighting how the chefs applied the modern touches to traditional Icelandic ingredients. Dessert was Valrhona dulcey, with coffee meringue, chocolate mouse, cheery sauce and the most delicate marshmallows.
After a quick chat with the Sous Chef it was apparent that the kitchens attitude is humble. In their mind, the dishes are simple, only calling on quality ingredients for their menus. At Perlan, produce is center-stage, with vegetables given equal presence on the menu alongside savory meat and seafood options.
4 course tasting menu: 7,390 ISK
Wine pairing: 6,500 ISK
