If a trip to Winterfell isn’t your cup of vodka, whet your appetite for Iceland — one of the filming locations for HBO’s Game of Thrones — with “A Taste of Iceland,” a four-day event that debuts in D.C. today. A cultural as much as a culinary celebration, the festivities coincide with Icelandair’s reopened service from Dulles to Reykjavik (Iceland’s capital city), and are sponsored by Iceland Naturally, a consortium of Icelandic businesses (including Reyka Vodka) with an interest in North America.

A cornerstone of the multi-day event is the native cuisine (and drink), available through April 15 at RIS in the West End. Sous chef Sarah Biglan will share the kitchen with Thrainn Freyr, a Culinary Olympics winner and head chef of Restaurant Kolabrautin in Reykjavik. Though rumor has it that his knives were lost in a traveling snafu, the show must go on: Freyr is turning out a four-course menu ($65) illustrative of Iceland’s best cuisine, including fresh, slow-cooked Arctic Char, Icelandic lamb and skyr tiramisu.

Of course, chilly temps require stiff drinks, so make like an Icelander and warm up from the inside out with the Reykjavik 101, a cocktail invented by RIS mixologist Bryan Smith. Named for the city’s downtown zipcode, the cocktail is made with Reyka Vodka, Corsair Gin, house vermouth and a twist of lemon.

After you get your food and drink fix, check out the other events, including a free concert at the Fillmore Silver Spring featuring bands Of Monsters and Men and Lay Low, as well as a free screening of two popular Icelandic movies at the AMC Loews Uptown 1. After all the excitement (not to mention the velvety, hand-crafted vodka) you just may get a craving to visit the family Stark.

Photos by Lauren Sloat

Event Date: 04/12,04/13,04/14,04/15
Event Time:
Location: RIS
Price: $65
Website: http://www.icelandnaturally.com/wdc2012