Monday, August 2, 2010

Hungry in Hungary

After leaving Italy (for the last time!) hopped on a Wizz Air flight (as sketchy as it sounds) to Budapest, Hungary to meet Katie Simon. Budapest is not exactly known for its food, and while this was not Rome or Paris, we did find some tasty offerings.

Perhaps the city's most valuable contribution to the the world of food is the central market in Budapest located right next to our hostel. While I found that the diversity of goods, especially produce, were not quite that of Western European countries, there were still lots of stall brimming with sausage, paprika, baked goods, pickles, fish, meat, thick soups and more.


I tried a little sausage with a pickle, some sauerkraut and mustard. Pretty tasty!


Budapest is also known for its amazing, extravagant coffee houses. This one we found, Alexandria Wine and Books, looked somewhat like a Barnes and Noble when you walked in on the ground level. However, upon ascending the grand staircase in the middle of the store, you were presented with this spectacular coffee house. The service (as well as the comfortableness of the seating) were all top notch.


And the bagel with smoked salmon, or the tall, cool glass of lemonade, could not have been better. And this gilded experience cost about as much as picking up a bagel at Barnes and Noble. Can't beat that.


And for a happy ending, you have to try Budapest's renowned desserts, like a slice of layered cake or this sundae layered with rice pudding and fresh strawberries. Umm, umm good!