Quick word association: Iceland. Go! Volcanoes, Of Monsters and Men, Mighty Ducks…the movie. Maybe you’ve come up with some different ones, but whatever adjectives come to mind when thinking of this Nordic European island, the A Taste of Iceland festival presented by Iceland Naturally should conjure up a few more. Bringing the best of Icelandic cuisine, music, film and culture to Toronto from Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24, A Taste of Iceland will connect Torontonians to this lesser-known nation.
There are a bevvy of free events to attend like the Reykjavik Calling concert at The Hoxton. Presented by Canadian Music Week, Icelandic musicians Apparat Organ Quartet, Asgeir Trausti and Soley will share the stage with Canadian performers Cai.ro and Revelstoke (Saturday, March 23 at 6:30pm). The Drake Hotel will be cranking up the volume with their Icelandic Airwaves Showcase (Friday, March 22 at 6pm, $10) as well as exhibiting works by Icelandic artist David Orn Halldorsson (starting Thursday, March 21) in the lobby. A free Icelandic Film Festival will also be held at Varsity Cinemas on March 21, screening Jitters (6:30pm), Grandma Lo-Fi (8:10pm) and Backyard (9:15pm).
Considering the food fetish we all share over here at View the Vibe, we’re most anxious to see what Icelandic cuisine is all about. For the duration of the festival, The Drake Hotel will be playing host to one of Iceland’s top chefs. Chef Hakon Mar Orvarsson is a Bocuse d’Or recipient and World Culinary Cup winner, who will team up with the head honcho in The Drake’s kitchen, chef Darren Glew. The two will be serving a four-course prix-fixe menu ($45) that highlights authentic Icelandic delicacies. An Iceland-inspired cocktail will also be on offer, made with Reyka Vodka. For reservations, call 416.531.5042 ext. 1.
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