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Fjárhúsið

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

0.5

Part of a food market, but the bustle of a market is always an enjoyable place to eat.

It seemed as though I was inconveniencing the server.

Service

0.0

Price

0.5

Generally fine for Iceland, but a bit expensive for someone on a student budget.

It was a part of a food market, but the openness of the stall meant you could see and smell the food as it cooked.

Space

0.5

Really tasty! I was recommended to try Icelandic Lamb, and it was as flavoursome as I was told. The lamb burger also came with a lovely tangy sauce and lamb bacon(!).

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

There was a relatively large range of food but, of course, it is only lamb.

There were only lamb dishes available.

Vege-Friendly

0.0

Potatoes

1.0

The fries were, in my opinion, the highlight as they were perfectly seasoned with a hint of spice and came with an incredible dipping sauce.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 5/10

Veganæs

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

Very cool setting, in a bar with very atmospheric music and lighting.

The service was great, and the people running it were lovely, quick, and polite.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The prices were pretty good for Iceland, but a bit expensive for a student budget.

There were lots of tables, however it was difficult to find, as the outside signs were for the bar, and the hatch inside is hidden from view behind a wall.

Space

0.5

Really flavoursome! The Seitanic burger had a great balance of flavours and textures, and the bearnæs sauce on the steak was incredible.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

It was a relatively big menu, with small and big plates, but it wasn’t massive and it seemed to be mainly vegan versions of meat dishes, rather than vegan food that is good in its own right.

The restaurant was entirely vegan.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

1.0

The fries and wedges were really flavoursome, especially with the kokktail sauce.

This restaurant receives 2 thumbs

Overall score: 8.5/10

Salka Valka

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

Really chill, felt traditional but with a bit of a twist.

Very nice, quick service. The serving staff were friendly and jokey and clearly just being themselves.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The price was good for Iceland, but still a bit expensive for a student.

There was an open kitchen so it smelt great as you walked in, and the tables were well laid out.

Space

1.0

Very tasty and made with fresh fish which just makes it that bit nicer. It could maybe have done with a bit more seasoning, or had salt/pepper on the table, but otherwise great.

Taste

0.5

Range

0.5

A relatively small number of dishes, however done well and to their theme of fresh fish.

The majority of the dishes were fish-based, however the vegetarian option was a very full plate and was very tasty.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

0.0

There were no potato options

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6/10

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

It is outside, but there is such an amount of hype built up around it (every tour guide mentions it, Bill Clinton visited it, and it is literally called “Best Hotdog in Town”) that it is exciting to stand in line for it.

Very fast, which is good when you’re queueing in the snow and wind.

Service

1.0

Price

1.0

Really cheap for Iceland, and not massively more than you’d pay for a hot dog elsewhere.

It is an outside stall, so although it is beautiful and snowy, it is really cold – your fingers will freeze in winter as you hold it.

Space

0.5

It was really flavoursome: a hint of sweetness, the crunch of the fried onions, and a really tasty dog.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.0

They only sell hotdogs, although you can choose from the toppings: tomato sauce, mustard, fried and raw onions, and a really nice unique sauce.

They only sell hot dogs, which are made of lamb, with pork and lamb.

Vege-Friendly

0.0

Potatoes

0.0

They have no potato options

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 5.5/10

Padella

London United Kingdom

I first visited this restaurant in 2017.

Ambience

1.0

The atmosphere is always enjoyable to experience: everyone there knows it will be good and has queued to be there so there is an air of excitement.

The service is great as soon as you get in, everyone is friendly, including the chefs with whom you are face-to-face, however there is of course the very long queue outside.

Service

0.5

Price

1.0

The prices are incredible. Being able to find a good Italian meal for under £5 is just unbelievable in London.

The restaurant is lovely, sitting in front of the kitchen and being able to see the pasta being made and smelling it as it is.

Space

1.0

The pasta is incredible: soft and tasty. Every dish is light and just enough to hit the spot for a lunch. It makes you want to order more – and at those prices you can!

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

There is a relatively large range of dishes available, however being a pasta restaurant it only serves Italian dishes, and mainly pasta.

Around half of the dishes are vegetarian, and they’re all incredible.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

1.0

The gnocchi is incredible. The worst thing is when gnocchi is horrible and rubbery, whereas this was soft and just perfectly cooked.

This restaurant receives 2 thumbs

Overall score: 9/10

The Punch Bowl

Essex United Kingdom

I first visited this restaurant in 2016

Ambience

0.5

The atmosphere is always lovely and warm, it can be a bit loud when full, but that speaks to the friendliness of the place.

The service is really good, and the manager will greet you and take your orders himself, however when it gets busy it can be less attentive.

Service

0.5

Price

0.5

The price is really good for a three course meal, and as it is so good, however it is a bit expensive for a student budget

The restaurant is really nice and well laid out, with an area for sitting and drinking before going to your table.

Space

1.0

The food is really good and high quality. The desserts are made freshly and served by trolley – I especially recommend the lovely pavlova.

Taste

1.0

Range

1.0

There is a large range of items and, as it is a set price, you can go for whatever you want.

There aren’t a large number of vegetarian dishes, however they are just as tasty.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

1.0

The roast potatoes served with the meals are great and, the highlight of the evening, before you order you get a basket of freshly home-made potato crisps which are incredible – the best reason to go if nothing else.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 7/10

Truffes Folies

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2019

Ambience

1.0

The smell of truffles hung in the air and you felt fancy as soon as you walked in.

The waiters were helpful and friendly, however it was possibly too quick and we were out of the restaurant within the hour.

Service

0.5

Price

0.5

The restaurant was really good value for truffles, especially in Paris, however it was still expensive for a student budget.

The restaurant was a bit small, however it felt really comfy and warm.

Space

0.5

The food, focussing on truffles, was incredibly tasty. It was all quite light and allowed the truffle to really shine.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

There was a relatively large range, including specials, however it all revolved around truffles of course.

There were a number of vegetarian options, including a large selection of salads, which are just as flavoursome as the meat dishes.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

0.5

There was only one dish with potatoes, however it was a kind of purple potato which is fun!

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6.5/10

L'As du Fallafel

Paris France

The second part in the Paris Falafel battle.

I first visited this restaurant in 2019

Ambience

0.5

The atmosphere was bustly and electric, and the queue outside was testament to this. It felt, however, like it had become very commercialised and so had a slight “Hard Rock Cafe” vibe going on (especially with all of the merchandise they were selling).

The service was good, polite, and quick.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The prices were a bit higher than those of their rivals, however it is good for the centre of Paris.

The space was relatively well laid out, and they managed to fit tables in everywhere, however it sometimes meant having to brush past and lean over different tables.

Space

0.5

I ordered the same food to make it more comparable with the restaurant across the street. The chawarma was not as flavoursome (although the pita bread itself was a lot nicer). I preferred the falafel here because of its initial hit of spice and because it was softer on the inside without being dry.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

There were a large number of options to go for, however it clearly specialised in falafel. Had a bit more variety than Mi-Va-Mi.

It is very vege-friendly: lots of vegetable options, salads, and of course their famous falafel.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

0.0

There were chips, however they were boring – just packet-bought chips fried. Not even seasoned.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6/10

Soul Kitchen

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2019

Ambience

1.0

The restaurant is lively and comfortable, with a daily challenge for a free madeleine.

The servers are friendly and smiley, in both English and French.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The lunchtime meal is relatively good value for Paris, although it seems to change daily.

The restaurant is a bit small but it is otherwise nicely laid out and comfortable.

Space

0.5

The food was really nice, and felt really light and wholesome, along with the freshness of the fennel salad.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

The menu changes every day, giving a lot of options, however there are only three options a day.

The menu changes daily, however there tends to be a significant proportion are vegetarian.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

0.0

The menu changes daily, and so I did not have the opportunity to try any potato dishes, so I unfortunately cannot give it a score.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6/10

Mi-Va-Mi

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2019

Ambience

1.0

A really interesting vibe as soon as you walk in: really colourful and funky.

The service was generally fine, however the servers sometimes seemed a bit curt.

Service

0.5

Price

1.0

The prices are really good for the centre of Paris, at only 10€ for a pita that is stuffed to overflowing.

It is well laid out, and the kitchen is open so you can always smell the incredible cooking smells, however the open takeaway hatch meant it was sometimes a bit cold.

Space

0.5

The chawarma was packed full of flavour and the incredible salad just made it taste so fresh. There was salad on top and under the meat so you didn’t ever reach the point where it was just one flavour. The falafel was also incredibly good, however I cannot yet comment on the rivalry until I try their neighbour’s falafel…

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

There is a relatively large range of options, with the choice between pitas and platters, pretty much what you expect from a falafel place.

The restaurant is very vege-friendly, with lots of salad and incredible falafel.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

0.0

There were no potato dishes.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6.5/10