Author Archives: martinoregan

A return to the same establishment with a full family in tow conveyed to us a different picture of the whole affair. While service was still splendid the speed with which the dishes arrived to our table had slowed considerably and, whereas that can be understandable with a big group, a kitchen needs to be prepared. However, drinks to hand the waiting was made tolerable. The biggest fault this times was that the potatoes, chips (french fries) served with the meal were slightly singed and while we hungrily ate the lot it was still something of a disappointment after our previous visits. Perhaps the pressure had been too much and, well, if it had then it’s not up to the customer to pay the price!

Situated in the 12th District of Budapest Brownie’s is one of those suburban gems. If you don’t know the area you may never stumble across it but if you have the lust for life (or just the mere curiosity to see around the next corner) you could do a lot worse than find yourself holed up in here on a cold winter’s evening. With its modern furnishings tastefully done, and with a clever use of space, it has all the provisions for that home away from home. It is cosy, snug…etc.

Seating is arranged in the interior in two sections, with the larger of the two areas ideal for those long table affairs so bring along the pals and have a proper knees up. However, if a more intimate evening is required you could do well to perch yourself at the tables just inside the door. Somehow with the bar facing and a pillar marking the entrance to the other section, it removes you slightly and offers a sense of privacy, that is if the traffic in the door and to the toilet aren’t overwhelming.

There is also outside seating on offer when the weather starts to pick up and knowing Hungarians is to understand that though a place may be quiet during the winter months, a seat outside and a hint of sunshine brings them crawling from the woodwork in search of La Dolce Vita. The warmer weather brings with it the barbecue season and on the decking outside amid a tumble of benches a space is set aside to start the juices flowing. So be prepared. You may arrive for a drink and end up homeward bound with a bellyful, and not just alcohol.

Lest it be said that this is it, the end, the whole deal, a full menu is on offer at anytime from the kitchen and is marked by weekly,and seasonal offers. There is a basic set of dishes too which include such appetisers as  breaded mushroom stuffed with ewe-cheese, a cheese, fruit and nut plate, aubergine cream with toast (quite popular hereabouts in the starter menus so try it everywhere you go just as a comparitive adventure!!!) and so on. Traditional meat dishes are catered for in the main courses with a  particular roasted piglet, cabbage and potato dish served up especially for New Year’s Eve. Pizza and pasta is also on offer and a selection of tasty desserts. Drinks are in a variety of qualities, house wines as well as those more upmarket. Beers are within range with a local on offer that won’t break the bank.

Overall the prices are more than competitive and one gets the feeling that the owner has set out to truly put the customer first in his endeavours to keep such a selection, and quality, within such a reasonable price range. Or maybe it’s because the owner himself is also the one that ensures that your experience is pleasant by overseeing everything personally from the floor, waiting on you and offering suggestions as he deems fit. If the latter allows for the former so be it.

Concerning families, there is a child tolerant atmosphere with even a small table set aside for the kids but a nappy changing area is lacking so if not deterred be prepared to use your ingenuity. It will not be frowned upon to change a nappy as long as there is an alternative to be discreet, i.e. not on top of the bar or next to other customers who have just been served their food while baby has just served up their own type delicacy!!!

In all a place worth revisiting and where good service and quality come naturally.

http://www.brownies.hu

Brownies-Overdone

Near the corner of Nagymező and Ó utca there is a little poke of a place, Saloon Pub, by name. It’s lit up well and as the name suggests it’s done in the Cowboy/Wild West style. The painted wood finish, in plaster, allows for the idea tha someone made use of their artistic skills while at the same time remaining shrewd concerning real wood furnishings. With seats enough for twenty and still floor space left over between door and bar and toilet, it certainly is a good use of space. The T.V. stuck up on high to the right as you enter through the almost non-door, is a prerequisite in bars of its kind. A step above the typical cellar kocsma, it perhaps is merely a ground version with pretentions. The drinks on offer are basic, the selection of wine being ‘kimért’, while the beers include among them nothing Hungarian. A shame by any standard, it perhaps is indicative of the Hungarian mentality of selling themsleves short, seeing everything foreign, at least in the beer sense, as better. Pitching oneself against the Czechs and Belgians, one would favour the foreigners but with the Danish and the Dutch, especially popular, brands there’s hope on the homefront. Ah, but try telling that to the nouveau-riche, aka új gazdag!!!

While cider may warrant a mention it’s merely to suggest that, in a town that has, until a few years ago no idea what the apple brew was, it is available!

Pálinka has a seperate section on the price list and well may it while other Hungaricums, including Unicum and Vilmos, also make an appearance. With wines and spirits Hungarian pride is much more prominent to the point of arrogant. That’s another story!

The parketta floor completes the wood feel and overall it’s a place to visit for a quiet one mid afternoon or for a few with the lads before moving on. Again be warned. I’ve found this place near tea-time on Thursday and it’s quite probable that later on it takes on the life of a bar so centrally located should, so it is wise to arrive on time for a seat cos sensibly in most places, Hungarians prefer to sit and chat rather than stand and be jostled. That is until club time, then all decorum is lost. Enjoy.

http://kocsma.blog.hu/2011/03/19/saloon_pub

for other views

http://hu-hu.facebook.com/pages/Saloon-Pub/143333715709401

Pedro’s Bar: Mosonmagyaróvár

At half past 3 in the afternoon it could be expected to be quiet, and with the wear and tear in the toilets, cigarette burns all over the flush tank, one imagines busier times outside of Wednesday afternoon in early Spring.

The look of the bar is good though the Michael Jackson image is perhaps a little too tacky. On entering, at least you get the feel that they’re trying to be consistent, in a pop thing. Or rock I hear me say. Bono looking down at me through those post Fly sunglasses, the ones where you can see his eyes again. Ye Gods! Does he dare to judge me? Like I would this bar, I guess.

There is a menu on offer, cheap as chips and no wonder. Their only hope is that some straggler will find his way out here. On that count I’m more a drinker, and a kind soul by the name of Gabriella, has just fed me. The fare here is the usual, eg vegetable soup followed by some rice and meat dish; the proper name Bácskai Rizseshús, I can’t fully figure out. It is simple, it is filling, it is cheap but… Location, Location, Location!

No doubt, come evening time and a place closer to home this could be all about drinking, or even eating out, but methinks, the day time is the  centre’s time to shine.

On look, again, I’ll say the rock/pop affects lie at head height, with wooden carvings of microphones, Jacko’s hat, stars, and a real guitar, strings attached, interspersed between pictures of the hip and famous. Just now I catch a glimpse of a grinning Ray Charles over my left shoulder, the sunshine barging in the bay windows off to the left and back of the bar, illuminating his dental work even further. Even death cannot keep a good man down. The great on the other hand never do die. As if inspired I twirl to face Elvis, a young Elvis, a short-haired, handsome Elvis, the King in his prime.

From the hall entrance the bar splits right and left into two arms reaching back parallel to the front door, the windows on either side and the ones back at this corner ensuring that even with the deep green upholstery and dark varnished furniture, there’s enough light to keep it moody without being depressing. The cream-white walls, peeping out from behind high seat backs and wall hangings, means that even on a dull day the colour of sunshine will remain resplendent. Like Elvis!

http://hu-hu.facebook.com/pages/Pedro-Bar/201348853244283