Taste of Iceland is returning to Chicago this spring with a new roster of cultural programming taking place across the city from Thursday, April 11 to Sunday, April 14. In its fourth consecutive year, the four-day festival hosted by Iceland Naturally, gives Chicagoans an opportunity to experience Iceland’s culture firsthand through the country’s food, spirits, music, literature, film, and more.
Local partners involved in this year’s Taste of Iceland program include Elske, LH on 21 at LondonHouse Chicago, The Underground, live music venue Martyrs', The Logan Theater, and more. Icelandic Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason of Michelin-starred Agern in New York City and Icelandic bartender Tóta are among the festival’s Icelandic ambassadors.
The 2019 Taste of Iceland in Chicago program includes the following events:
Fire & Ice: An Icelandic Pop-Up Menu
Thursday, April 11, 6-10 p.m.
Friday, April 12, 6-11 p.m.
Friday, April 13, 6-11 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 6-10 p.m.
Elske, 1350 W. Randolph St.
A collaborative tasting menu experience from Chef David Posey of Elske in Chicago and Icelandic Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason of Agern in New York City. Together, the chefs bring diners a four-course dinner menu featuring key components of Icelandic cuisine: lamb, dairy, and fish. Alongside dinner, guests can also enjoy specialty craft cocktails featuring Icelandic spirits Reyka Vodka and Brennivín. The prix fixe menu is available during Elske’s regular hours for the duration of Taste of Iceland in Chicago, April 11-14.
The Spirits of Iceland: Cocktail Class
Thursday, April 11, 6-8 p.m.
LH on 21 at LondonHouse Chicago, 85 E. Upper Wacker Dr., Floor 21
Offering Chicagoans a taste of Icelandic spirits, LH on 21 Head Bartender Adam Peabody and Icelandic bartender Tóta co-host a mixology class. The event features a cocktail demonstration of craft cocktails made with Icelandic spirits Reyka Vodka and Brennivín and other seasonal ingredients procured from Iceland. Attendees can try samplings of the cocktails during the class and the first 60 guests can also enjoy a complimentary cocktail. In addition to the cocktail class, guests can continue to sip on Icelandic spirits with LH on 21’s limited-time cocktail menu available for purchase during the four-day Taste of Iceland program.
*The event is complimentary and admission is granted on a first come, first served basis to attendees 21+.
Iceland After Dark
Friday, April 12, 10-11:30 p.m.
The Underground Chicago, 56 W. Illinois St.
To kick off the weekend, Taste of Iceland and The Underground are hosting an exclusive after hours party, “Iceland After Dark”, featuring specialty craft cocktails made with Icelandic spirits and an exclusive performance by Icelandic musician Sólveig Matthildur, keyboardist and back-up singer for Kælan Mikla. The event includes complimentary entry into the nightclub for all attendees 21+ and the opportunity to sample Icelandic cocktails featuring Reyka Vodka and Brennivín.
Reykjavik Calling
Saturday, April 13, doors open at 7 p.m.
Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
In partnership with Chicago’s live music venue Martyrs', the Icelandic-American concert known as Reykjavik Calling is returning to the city for one night during Taste of Iceland. The featured performances include sets from some of Iceland’s female artists, Hildur and Kælan Mikla, and a Chicago act to be announced in the coming weeks. Guðnadóttir is an Icelandic composer, cellist, and singer who has been manifesting herself at the forefront of experimental pop and contemporary music. Kælan Mikla is a post-punk band made up of three musicians, including Laufey Soffía (vocals), Margrét Rósa Dóru-Harrýsdóttir (bass), and Sólveig Matthildur Kristjánsdóttir (synthesizers). Doors open at 7 p.m., and the concert begins at 8 p.m.
*The event is complimentary and admission is granted on a first come, first served basis to attendees 21+.
Shortfish Film Screening
Saturday, April 13, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
The Logan Theatre, 2646 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The historic Logan Theatre is offering a complimentary screening of short films from Iceland’s aspiring film makers on Saturday, April 13. The films are premiering at the short film competition, Shortfish, of the Icelandic film industry’s premier festival, Stockfish, in March 2019. Following the screening, guests are invited to sample cocktails featuring Icelandic spirits Reyka Vodka and Brennivín in the theatre’s cocktail lounge.
*The event is complimentary and admission is granted on a first come, first served basis.
Iceland Naturally also welcomes ambassador Stella Soffía Jóhannesdóttir, a representative of Iceland’s literary scene. Stella is currently working as acquisitions editor for Forlagid, Iceland’s biggest publisher, as well as director of the Reykjavík International Literary Festival (April 24-27, 2019). Iceland Naturally is announcing details on how literary enthusiasts can engage with Stella in the coming weeks as well as additional programming, partners, and event details for the 2019 Taste of Iceland in Chicago festival.
*All Taste of Iceland events are complimentary, except for the pop-up menu at Elske. Additionally, entry to the events is granted on a first come, first served basis, unless otherwise stated. Guests interested in the Icelandic pop-up menu at Elske must make a reservation on the restaurant’s website.
Taste of Iceland is returning to Chicago this spring with a new roster of cultural programming taking place across the city from Thursday, April 11 to Sunday, April 14. In its fourth consecutive year, the four-day festival hosted by Iceland Naturally, gives Chicagoans an opportunity to experience Iceland’s culture firsthand through the country’s food, spirits, music, literature, film, and more.
Local partners involved in this year’s Taste of Iceland program include Elske, LH on 21 at LondonHouse Chicago, The Underground, live music venue Martyrs', The Logan Theater, and more. Icelandic Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason of Michelin-starred Agern in New York City and Icelandic bartender Tóta are among the festival’s Icelandic ambassadors.
The 2019 Taste of Iceland in Chicago program includes the following events:
Fire & Ice: An Icelandic Pop-Up Menu
Thursday, April 11, 6-10 p.m.
Friday, April 12, 6-11 p.m.
Friday, April 13, 6-11 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 6-10 p.m.
Elske, 1350 W. Randolph St.
A collaborative tasting menu experience from Chef David Posey of Elske in Chicago and Icelandic Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason of Agern in New York City. Together, the chefs bring diners a four-course dinner menu featuring key components of Icelandic cuisine: lamb, dairy, and fish. Alongside dinner, guests can also enjoy specialty craft cocktails featuring Icelandic spirits Reyka Vodka and Brennivín. The prix fixe menu is available during Elske’s regular hours for the duration of Taste of Iceland in Chicago, April 11-14.
The Spirits of Iceland: Cocktail Class
Thursday, April 11, 6-8 p.m.
LH on 21 at LondonHouse Chicago, 85 E. Upper Wacker Dr., Floor 21
Offering Chicagoans a taste of Icelandic spirits, LH on 21 Head Bartender Adam Peabody and Icelandic bartender Tóta co-host a mixology class. The event features a cocktail demonstration of craft cocktails made with Icelandic spirits Reyka Vodka and Brennivín and other seasonal ingredients procured from Iceland. Attendees can try samplings of the cocktails during the class and the first 60 guests can also enjoy a complimentary cocktail. In addition to the cocktail class, guests can continue to sip on Icelandic spirits with LH on 21’s limited-time cocktail menu available for purchase during the four-day Taste of Iceland program.
*The event is complimentary and admission is granted on a first come, first served basis to attendees 21+.
Iceland After Dark
Friday, April 12, 10-11:30 p.m.
The Underground Chicago, 56 W. Illinois St.
To kick off the weekend, Taste of Iceland and The Underground are hosting an exclusive after hours party, “Iceland After Dark”, featuring specialty craft cocktails made with Icelandic spirits and an exclusive performance by Icelandic musician Sólveig Matthildur, keyboardist and back-up singer for Kælan Mikla. The event includes complimentary entry into the nightclub for all attendees 21+ and the opportunity to sample Icelandic cocktails featuring Reyka Vodka and Brennivín.
Reykjavik Calling
Saturday, April 13, doors open at 7 p.m.
Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
In partnership with Chicago’s live music venue Martyrs', the Icelandic-American concert known as Reykjavik Calling is returning to the city for one night during Taste of Iceland. The featured performances include sets from some of Iceland’s female artists, Hildur and Kælan Mikla, and a Chicago act to be announced in the coming weeks. Guðnadóttir is an Icelandic composer, cellist, and singer who has been manifesting herself at the forefront of experimental pop and contemporary music. Kælan Mikla is a post-punk band made up of three musicians, including Laufey Soffía (vocals), Margrét Rósa Dóru-Harrýsdóttir (bass), and Sólveig Matthildur Kristjánsdóttir (synthesizers). Doors open at 7 p.m., and the concert begins at 8 p.m.
*The event is complimentary and admission is granted on a first come, first served basis to attendees 21+.
Shortfish Film Screening
Saturday, April 13, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
The Logan Theatre, 2646 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The historic Logan Theatre is offering a complimentary screening of short films from Iceland’s aspiring film makers on Saturday, April 13. The films are premiering at the short film competition, Shortfish, of the Icelandic film industry’s premier festival, Stockfish, in March 2019. Following the screening, guests are invited to sample cocktails featuring Icelandic spirits Reyka Vodka and Brennivín in the theatre’s cocktail lounge.
*The event is complimentary and admission is granted on a first come, first served basis.
Iceland Naturally also welcomes ambassador Stella Soffía Jóhannesdóttir, a representative of Iceland’s literary scene. Stella is currently working as acquisitions editor for Forlagid, Iceland’s biggest publisher, as well as director of the Reykjavík International Literary Festival (April 24-27, 2019). Iceland Naturally is announcing details on how literary enthusiasts can engage with Stella in the coming weeks as well as additional programming, partners, and event details for the 2019 Taste of Iceland in Chicago festival.
*All Taste of Iceland events are complimentary, except for the pop-up menu at Elske. Additionally, entry to the events is granted on a first come, first served basis, unless otherwise stated. Guests interested in the Icelandic pop-up menu at Elske must make a reservation on the restaurant’s website.
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