Source: BudapestSun - On a typically gloomy January Sunday, my husband and I decided to do something uplifting and to give the housewife (me) responsible for preparing the traditional three-course Hungarian daily lunch a long-deserved treat.
Having heard from our traveller-photographer friend Gyôrgy Konkoly-Thege that his wonderful shots of exotic lands can be seen at the Buena Vista on Liszt Ferenc tér, we decided to combine an experiment in the visual and culinary arts to cheer us up. We are happy to report that the experience was successful, and we emerged recharged in both body and spirit.
The ambience of Liszt Ferenc tér on a winter weekend is quite special. The bare trees and the monumental architecture seem to be a theatrical set on which a spell has been cast, producing a quiet, timeless, contemplative atmosphere which is nearly mystical.
Entering the ample doors of the Buena Vista we found this same sense of magic tranquility and harmony entirely suited to the mood of the day. We were greeted by a friendly waiter who escorted us up the stairs to where the restaurant is located. The pub is in the basement, and the café is on the ground floor.
Located in a classic turn-of-the-century building by architect Emil Vidor (1906), the interior spaces have been radically altered by the In-Archi firm.
By opening up large windows and altering walls they have created interesting multi-level spaces which flow into each other. Plush red velvet upholstery covers the banquettes along the walls and the chairs and tables are of dark rich woods. Walls are neutral warm beige, with touches of rustic stone work, leaving visible some of the weight-bearing brick arches in the upstairs restaurant.
With wonderful soft lighting they have conjured up the classic modern Bauhaus look of the 1960s. All is conducive to warm, cozy, pleasant, undisturbed drinking and dining.
We were greeted most courteously by manager Zoltán Horváth, who, with Robert Wirth, makes all the important decisions regarding the menu, which he informed us will soon be streamlined. As it is, the selection of international and Hungarian dishes is quite broad.
The wine list is spectacular, containing more than 100 Hungarian wines, selected from the best producers in the country. "We also offer these wines by the glass which is under Ft1,000," said Horváth.
I started with a classic Campari and soda (Ft650 plus soda at Ft250) and we were served a wonderful buttery spread made of goose liver paté, thyme and basil, complements of the house, to spread on generously-cut bread slices as we chose our dishes.
Foregoing the many tempting soups and appetizers, I opted for the venison in red wine sauce with fresh fruits and potato croquettes (Ft3,490), while my husband, who is partial to traditional Hungarian peasant food and is a seafood enthusiast, chose the harcsa (catfish) paprikás with csusza (broad lasagna-like noodles) at Ft1,790. He ordered a glass of white "333" Légli from northern Balaton, bottled in 2001, (Ft700 the glass) which was spicy and tasty.
Service was prompt and extremely courteous and we were soon regaled with large plates of beautifully-presented and finely-prepared hot food.
My venison steak was buttery soft, gamey and perfectly done, just a bit over rare. The wine sauce was prepared of the gamey natural juices mixed with wine and was just enough to cover the meat and spread out on the plate. The potato croquettes were freshly prepared and light and puffy and sprinkled about were slices of fresh fruit and grapes. All tastes and textures harmonized divinely in the mouth and disappeared slice by slice.
My husband consumed his Hungarian harcsa paprikás but was less successful with the flat noodles, saying that the harcsa should have been served with galuska (dumplings) instead. Perhaps, but no matter.
For dessert we decided to share a mousse plate (Ft690) with three large spoonfuls of different flavors; chocolate, walnut and lemon, arranged attractively on the plate, and sprinkled with raspberry sauce. It was delicious and just enough for our perfect Sunday lunch at the Buena Vista - which got its name when the famous Cuban Buena Vista Social Club chose this restaurant to dine in after its concert in Budapest.
Watch for special events such as fashion shows and concerts here.
Buena Vista Restaurant, Café, Pub
VI. Liszt Ferenc tér 4-5
M1, trams 4,6 to Oktogon
Tel: (361) 344-6303
Open: Daily 11:30am-midnight
Click here for the Source – Budapest Sun Online
15.02.2002