Kex
September 14, 2011
Kex, unlike your traditional Icelandic dining or bar establishments, is the new and trendy place to go. Reminding me of home, and a place I’d frequent around the Lower East Side, I couldn’t resist making this my go-to place for the weekend. It’s an old biscuit factory turned hostel and bar, but more taking on the resemblance of Ace Hotel than your typical first impression of bunk beds in an old, unwelcoming building. The photos speak for themselves on the impeccably cool style of the place, as their concept is a vintage industrial feel with an eclectic, contemporary touch. The kitchen offers a range of dishes, like the Kex Platter with a sampling of meats, to the vegetable quiche, and their beer selection far surpasses the standard Viking lager that is found elsewhere.
Kex Platter with potatoes, salami and olives
Lounge area
Salad with Icelandic vegetables
French Press coffee and good books
Sitronukjuklingur med Klettasalati or simply Lemon Chicken with Ruccola
Salami on the Kex Platter
Pylsur med Kartoflumauki og Sterku Sinnepi ... aka Pan Fried Sausages with Potato puree and mustard
Blue Lagoon
September 6, 2011
Our first stop in Iceland was to the famous Blue Lagoon for a spa day. In a dream-like setting, you can’t get more relaxing than bathing in their natural geothermal pools, getting in-water massages and putting on mud masks from scooping up the natural minerals. For lunch, my friend and I tried out their restaurant’s buffet. Being in a country known for their seafood, we sampled a variety of dishes ranging from minke whale sashimi to herring and dill cured salmon before heading back to the pools for more relaxation.
Minke whale sashimi and the spa's natural geothermal seawater pools
Dill cured salmon
Skyr, an Icelandic-style yogurt
Salad
White pasta with chicken and carrots
Sushi of the day
Braised Cod
Herring
Paws Up
July 9, 2011
One doesn’t often combine the words luxury and camping into one sentence, but that’s exactly what you get from Paws Up, a ranch resort about 30 miles outside Missoula. Stopping through for an evening, I was treated with impeccable service from the strawberry lemonade upon arrival through my next morning’s breakfast wrap with fresh produce. These chefs have the fine rustic cuisine down to perfection as they prepared some of their specialty dishes including Elk Loin and Quail Breast.
Aside from the dining, the resort offers anything you could possibly imagine to make your Montana holiday fulfilling. Due to my time constraints, I didn’t participate in their endless list of activities, but I certainly wouldn’t hesitate venturing back for another visit. Who could complain about waking up in an outdoor luxury tent, followed by a hot air balloon ride at sunrise and an afternoon horseback riding in the mountains? And of course you can’t forget ending your evening with their infamous rustic ranch cuisine.
Seared Quail Breast, Huckleberry Bread Pudding, Roasted Baby Turnip, Sautéed Spinach, Pan Jus
The dining room at Pomp
Pan Seared Ono, Cauliflower Salad, Fava Leaves, Baby Squash, Mint Oil
The terrace at Pomp
Iron Seared Elk Loin, Fregola-Mushroom Stew, Baby Fennel, Asparagus, Black Currant Puree
Outdoor dining and camp fire pit
Moulard Duck Breast, Potato Croquette, Orange Braised Fennel, Asparagus
Huckletini; 44 North Huckleberry Vodka, Huckleberry Syrup, Turbinado Sugar Rim
Homemade infused liquors
Village Entrance
Morning Hot Air Balloon Ride
Montana Breakfast Wrap, Scrambled Eggs, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Bacon, Peperzella Cheese
Sunrise Scrambler, Ham, Scrambled Eggs, Crisp Potato Croquette, Brewer's Grain Toast
Breakfast at Tank & Trough
a camera in the kitchen 