Sægreifinn or Seabaron is a little seafood shack on the marina in Reykjavík, Iceland. This is also the place where I discovered my love for malt drinks. I came for the lobster stew. A local resident, I was chatting with earlier in my visit, spoke about this shack passionately.

Lobster Stew (1,100 ISK; approx $9.45 CAD)

Fun fact: did you know beer was banned in Iceland until 1989? During Iceland’s prohibition era some non alcoholic or low alcohol beer-like beverages became common in Iceland. Some of those virgin libations are still popular today. One of them is my current obsession: Egils Maltextrakt.

Japadog, it started out as just one cart on the corner of Smithe and Burrard. Japadog has four other locations now, one of which is a dine-in space on Davie Street. I still prefer the original site in front of the Sutton Place Hotel for my dog. The menu has gotten bigger over the years but it’s still relatively small.

This is Eastuff Grocery. (I often mis-spell it as Eaststuff.)You will find various imported Asian food stuffs here, mostly Chinese. It was created by former Thompson Rivers University students, and cater to the homesick cravings of TRU students. The aisles look a bit sparse but what they do carry however, are the more popular brands of specific items that are not available at your super grocery store ethnic aisle. Before heading home I picked up a few things.

Instant Cane and Carrot Juice ($3.99)

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur – Reykjavik, Iceland
*UPDATE December 2012: price of hotdog is now 320 ISK*

Hotdogs are things that I eat on the go, or when I’m at a child friendly summer barbeque. I've eaten a lot of dogs, but I don’t often crave them unless I find myself on Burrard Street near Japadog. On the plane ride to Iceland, one of the adverts on the seat-back screen said the most popular restaurant in Iceland was a hotdog stand. It didn’t’ say which one but it didn’t take much digging to find the name: Bæjarins Beztu.

I've been watching Top Chef Just Desserts this season and I guess I've just got cakes on the brain. (How on earth did Danielle make it to the final 3?? I mean, she made a vegetable dress. A vegetable dress!!) Sweet Spot Cupcakes is located in the same complex as the original Chilli King on Hillside Drive, across from Gourmet Greeens.

**UPDATE 2012: Pure Cuisine is now closed.

Before heading down to the Contruction Sites Identity and Space exhibition at the Kamloops Art Gallery, we headed to Pure Cuisine for a light lunch. This particular exhibit runs until the end of the year if you're interested. Pure Cuisine specializes in raw food.