With colleagues.
At the Tigris (http://www.tigrisrestaurant.hu/index_en.html), the first night, walking distance from the hotel. (Times are slow these days in Budapest: we were alone in this very good and well located restaurant; not a single other diner, the whole time we were there. Mind you, it’s December – not too many tourists – it’s cold and a Tuesday night!...). Sampled local wine – the industry has been revived in Hungary after the fall of the Communist regime. Had a glass of Pinot Noir (from the Weninger and Gere vineyard, 2007) http://bortarsasag.hu/en/wine/gere-weninger-pinot-noir-2007-villany, and a glass of the celebrated Kopar (60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, we are told) from the Gere winery, both from Villany, the better known wine region of the south, bordering Croatia. Good website for Hungarian wine: http://www.bortarsasag.hu/en/
Baraka (http://www.barakarestaurant.hu/baraka); Zagat-rated (very high…probably too high!) in boutique hotel MaMaison on Andrassi ut.
Gresham Café (www.fourseasons.com/budapest/dining/gresham_restaurant/); in Four Seasons Hotel, nearby. The “coat incident” – someone, a local expat, left with mine…got it back the day after!
Café Kor (www.cafekor.com/rolunk.html) for lunch. Bistro type. Near the Basilica. Very traditional café; could not think of a better place to have the goulash! Fully booked by 1; best to make reservations!)
Rezkakas (www.rezkakasrestaurant.com/en/subpage.htm). Dinner. Full; yes, there are tourists (the table next to ours , retired couples from the American MidWest.) Traditional live music - have the paprika chicken to go with (and some white Tokaji wine)!
Budapest, December 2010
