A Dining Experience Not to Be Forgotten
Time spent visiting the tranquil island of Flatey in Breiðafjörður bay on the west coast of Iceland is a rewarding experience in itself, but a meal at the unique and innovative restaurant at Hotel Flatey is the icing on the cake that makes the trip truly memorable.
Hotel Flatey is renowned for its culinary delights by locals and visitors alike and people have been known to cross the fjord just to enjoy a meal there and go back. The restaurant has a close connection to the island life and finds much of its ingredients in the immediate surroundings.
The Ocean Inspires
Proprietor, Ingibjörg Ásta Pétursdóttir, says the ocean and Breiðafjörður bay are a constant source of inspiration for cooking and that the fresh fish and ingredients are a delight to work with.
Experiments with cooked seaweed and kelp are thus not uncommon. They also have their own vegetable garden from which they gather various local spices and herbs. Ingibjörg says that though experimentation is always a joy, when perfection is reached there is no point in trying anything else; and thus their blue mussels speciality dish will probably never be tampered with.
Life on an Island
You’ll soon find that life on the island works at a different pace than in most communities; it is obviously much smaller than most people are used to, but you get the feeling that time passes more slowly and without the many distractions of modern life. Ingibjörg says the island’s influence can be felt in the restaurant, giving it a unique atmosphere. “When everything is so small and close there is a sense of togetherness, which I think is unique to this island,” says Ingibjörg.
A short trip during the day while the ferry makes its routine is ample time to discover the island and enjoy a meal at Hotel Flatey. But to really get to know the island an overnight stay is recommended – staying at Hotel Flatey, enjoying the relaxed evening mood at the restaurant and truly experiencing being on an island. If you’re feeling up for it, try ordering the Flajito – a now staple cocktail concocted with local herbs when a thirsty customer asked for a standard Mojito and the ingredients weren’t available.
-VAG
Hotel Flatey
345 Flatey
+354 555 7788
[email protected]
www.hotelflatey.is
