|
Back to Articles
“A
romantic European underground setting with an Old World Charm” is the
description
 used
for The Frosty Mug Icelandic Pub and Restaurant located in nearby Mt.
Dora.
We
visited this cozy restaurant for lunch recently and found it to be as
described. Thora Einarsson and her sister, Maria Blair, have been
involved for years in the restaurant business. Thora came from Iceland
about 20 years ago and is a former member of the police department.
Maria arrived in 1999, and that’s when their idea of an Icelandic Pub
came to fruition, opening in 2000. It is located in the cellar of the
Renaissance Building at 411 N. Donnelly Street.
The
Frosty Mug features marble-top tables, high-back chairs, and a cement
floor, but the touches of individual colored oil lamps, fresh flowers
and cloth napkins on each table offer a nice compliment to the art work
that abounds the restaurant.
couple
of well-known local artists have created sculptures, paintings and other
objects ‘de art for display and sale. Memorabilia and an old-style piano
complete the décor.
There
is a three-sided, well equipped central bar that offers over 60 brands
of beer, some on tap, as well as a large selection of domestic and
imported wines.
 The
menu has a nice variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches,
burgers, and main-dish entrees as well as desserts. Icelandic Pickled
Herring with onions and served with fresh eggs, olives, tomatoes and
sour cream with rye bread and butter is a traditional Scandinavian item.
Fjalla Brie – baked Brie cheese, brown sugar and walnuts encased in a
puff pastry and served with fresh seasonal fruit sounded very
interesting and different from the usual appetizers offered locally.
For
our lunch, my spouse chose “Gool Frakkinn” , which consisted of thinly
sliced roast beef on a baguette with sautéed onions and topped with
Mozzarella cheese. Natural au jus and horseradish were on the side. My
selection was the luncheon special of the day – a Portobello Wrap. It
was excellent and, in addition to the Portobello mushrooms, contained a
good balance of roasted red peppers, onions, tomatoes, and to my
surprise, asparagus, one of my favorite veggies. This was served warm
with a blue cheese sauce. Both items came with a choice of fries or
homemade potato salad.
Thora
informed us that all food is made from scratch, including their salad
dressings and sauces. Entrees include fish and chips, meatloaf, a
pasta-veggie dish, salmon, filet mignon, chicken, Schnitzel (pork loin)
and roasted leg of lamb – some prepared a little differently. Prices
range from $11.95 to $18.95. All come with a selection of starch, fresh
seasonal vegetables and soup or salad. The French Onion soup was very
tasty with an abundance of onions and not too salty. There is truly
something to please everyone’s palate at the Frosty Mug.
 While
very soft background music was playing during lunch, live musical
performances are featured during dinner hours. On Tuesday, there is a
pianist from 5-9:30 PM. On Wednesday through Saturday nights, local
musical talent is showcased including a guitarist, vocalist, jazz and
pop. The music is not too loud and the food is delicious. They are open
Tuesday – Thursday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM and until 2 AM on weekends.
They have a small smoking section at this time, but will become totally
smoke-free in July.
We are
sure that you will enjoy a visit to the Frosty Mug during your next trip
to Central Florida.
Back to Articles |
