The colorful mural on the exterior of the building was so eye-catching that we found ourselves drawn to brave the road construction outside and take a closer look. When we saw the freshly baked fare in the window, we joined what we assumed was a short queue at the door in order to try some. When we cleared the doorway, we realized that the queue was actually much longer, snaking around the shop’s interior, past a large window where those waiting could build up an appetite by watching the process of their pastries being made in a full bulk-scale bakery. In comparison, the modest ordering counter is tiny. As we waited for the quick and efficient service ahead of us, we made our selections and then watched as the modest cue we had joined stretched our and circled the block behind us. We had apparently found the pastry wonderland just before the breakfast rush.

 

We picked up a few pastry selections and wandered out into Reykjavik’s slowly waking shopping district to savor them. I cannot quite describe the decadence of the balanced spices, and nuts inside Raz’s pastry, nor the luxurious crème inside mine. In all cases, though, the pastry had a light and airy crumb with that ultra-fine brittle buttery crust that is impossible to manage at home. Suffice it to say, that the pastries were so incredible that we went back again the moment the breakfast rush cleared in order to get more for the road.