A glass of sauvignon blanc wine from unknown origin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We have been joking about being on the Schnitzel or Goulash trail for weeks but Budapest is really rather special. It is easy to find modern, trendy restaurants full of people of all ages enjoying themselves. Fresh produce is of high quality, with some excellent and imaginative cooking available. Budapest boosts great beer, some outstanding wines and less well-known, some spirits of excellent quality. Most importantly, Hungary is not in the Euro and offers some exceptional value for money.

Yesterday, we had a late dinner at Callas Restaurant, next door the Opera House on Andrassy which we would thoroughly recommend – it was a beautifully decorated restaurant in Art Nouveau style. Alf had tuna and Marilyn took Chicken Paprika with both dishes being excellent. We sampled a recommended Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc wine which was outstanding and would put many New Zealand examples to shame. We had been aware of the Hungarian wines since we learned that they were much favoured by the Austrian emperors. Hungary is especially famous for dessert wines and Marilyn tried a glass and was amazed at the quality. Alf was after a Grappa but was encouraged to try an award-winning Hungarian digestif, called “Arpad Palinka” which was outstanding.

The only disappointment was that the Callas Restaurant was only six years old and had never been visited by the legendary opera singer Maria. Callas…

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• Goulash and Liszt – Budapest (dralfoldman.wordpress.com)
• Goulash and Liszt – Budapest – Marilyn and Alf (alfandmarilyn.wordpress.com)