We had planned New Year in Budapest well in advance and had booked a table at a cosy wine cellar. It was a really successful evening, but perhaps not exactly as we had imagined. It started with ordering a taxi, which only had to drive about a block ... Then the evening at the wine cellar was completely different than we imagined.
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Confusion of languages
When we entered the restaurant in Budapest, the Nador Botterem wine cellar, we were shown to a table, expecting to be given a menu. But that was not the case! Instead, the waiter poured some white Hungarian wine into a glass each and started talking about the wine. We thought that this might be a small starter like they usually offer and didn't question it, but as the wines kept coming in we realised that we were in the middle of a New Year's menu... which we didn't know we had ordered!
We made the booking on the phone from Sweden and we can admit that there was a lot of language confusion. Apparently we had booked something we didn't know about! We were served one wine after another, accompanied by different dishes. It turned out that we ended up in the middle of a wine tasting with an accompanying New Year's menu. Absolutely fantastic!
New Year menu with Hungarian wines
We tasted eight fine Hungarian wines: tokaj, white, rosé, red and dessert wine. The menu consisted of delicious Hungarian food: fantastic foie gras mousse, rich goulash soup, juicy goose leg served with red cabbage and finally a luxurious chocolate cake. We were also treated to live classical music with a violin. What an evening!
Nightclub on an island
We almost thought that we would have to stay in the kitchen and wash the dishes (we had not seen the price of the party) but fortunately we are in a cheap country. After dinner we went to the island in the middle of the Danube where all the nightclubs are gathered. The club Dokk was not as fun as we thought, but Studio was even better. We have no photos from the evening, so we offer some other pictures from a wintry Budapest.
More to see and do in Budapest
There is of course much more to What to see and do in Budapest. Don't miss the Hungarian baths and they Hungarian caves. There is also very good Hungarian food to try. Below you will find even more tips for experiences and activities, in Budapest and around Hungary.
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Johanna in Skåne says:
It reminds me of the Korean restaurant where we shared a portion without meaning to. It doesn't always turn out the way you expect... Sounded delicious and luxurious!
02 January 2011 - 0:07
eva says:
Sounded cosy..like wine tastings..ended up by chance at one in Gran Canaria before once that a rest-owner offered, lots of good wines you could buy with you...you don't miss it. http://www.spruceup.se ?? skumpaklubben that organises skumpa tests in 08.+ member trips to France and more..canons!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011
02 January 2011 - 0:25
Bobo says:
Hope you have a great 2011!!!!!!!
Fun to read about your trips. I am so curious but have to wait until the 8th when we go to Agadir & Casablanca.
02 January 2011 - 3:53
Katarina in the Philippines says:
It was a nice surprise to end up at a wine tasting,, I can miss my group at home in Sweden with the sommeliers, it was both nice Fridays with good wines....
I'm sure you had a good time, holidays are a real contrast!
Good luck!
02 January 2011 - 10:05
admin says:
Johanna, I remember that Korean restaurant! Of course, that's what happens when you're travelling... What else do you remember from Budapest? I remember that we were in a bathhouse, that we walked very far and of course the excursion to Balaton!
Eva, thanks for the link. Will check it out! Unexpected wine tasting in Gran Canaria also sounds great!
Bobo, same to you! Nice to have a trip to look forward to! It will be interesting to hear what you think about Morocco. Casablanca sounds exciting!
Katarina, wishing you all the best! Yes, of course there are contrasts in these trips, but that is also what is fun about travelling. It will also be that we are looking for slightly different trips depending on whether we are travelling alone or whether we are travelling with Billie, who is 15.
02 January 2011 - 11:09
Lena & Jan says:
Woow or what can you say, some people are lucky!
02 January 2011 - 17:23
Marie says:
Sounds like a wonderful way to end the year! Happy New Year!
03 January 2011 - 0:00
Johanna in Skåne says:
We went to an amusement park as well, where you got a slightly overcooked hamburger with hair on it... and then we ate at a restaurant where we tipped more than expected. We also visited three railway stations on the same day, and the hostel staff were surprised that we had walked all the way there (to the nearest one).
03 January 2011 - 1:46
admin says:
Johanna, it's fun that you remember different things! I remember that hamburger, but I thought it was in Krakow...? I actually don't remember the other things you tell me... but it was fun to hear!
Let's see if we pass the fairground. We intend to go to the city park, and apparently it's there.
06 January 2011 - 11:14