Wine, dinner, style, panorama - go for it all at Fuchsli bistro

"Now, where should a superhero take some fröccs on the weekends?"


Strolling along the Danube side, or crossing over the bridges in Budapest, it can happen that you feel a sudden urge to take a wine and linger with your eyes on the Gellért hill with the magical lighting statue on the top. Or wouldn't it be nice to eat something so typical it makes you feel so Hungarian that you suddenly would like to be able to pronounce and know the names of all the illuminated bridges. I mean, everybody gets the Chain Bridge part, but the tricky ones are the -  by foreigners commonly referred to -  as Green Bridge and White Bridge - try to be a magyar superhero and learn them :)


There is a quiet place among all these colourful bridges on the Pest riverbank, where quality wine, good yet simple food and panorama come together. It is a  family owned winery, bistro,  bar - call it how you want, a cozy and yet exquisite place for a dinner.

Design street - off the beaten path courtyards and shops in Király street

A few days ago, on the occasion of the European Union's Cultural Heritage Day, some free guided tours were organized in Budapest. I strolled along with a huge Hungarian group on Király utca, one of the oldest and still most developing streets downtown.
Let's check what the most hidden gems were!

First of all, a little history and situation. Király utca leads from Deák Tér (centre centre) till the City Park, crossing over the Grand Buolevard (Nagykörút). However, the historically richer part is inside the boulevard, so till the 4-6 tram's stop.

Bike revolution in Budapest - Critical Mass

Budapest is becoming a biker city. Pest is totally flat and that is where more or less you move around - so more and more people are switching to wire donkeys (hmm, i have told you that Hungarian language is creative - this is another word for bike)  instead of cars and public transport.

Relax, cleanse yourself, and PARTY in the SPAS! - Budapest the Thermal Bath Paradise

If you bore a whole in Hungary, you will find water. Warm water with minerals, which refresh body and soul. And can make you party :)

BEST PANORAMA - One afternoon trip to the peak of Budapest -

If you have ever laid foot in Hungary, you might have noticed that we do not have too many mountains... to tell the truth almost nothing. Our highest peak is the Kékes with 1014 metres, I think this really shows in which terms we have to think about hills here. In Budapest, at least, we like to call every little bump on the ground a hill. So we have Gellért-hill with the freedom statue, Castle hill with the castle and the least touristic, but most beautiful: János (John) Hill.

20th August – the biggest fireworks for the only happy holiday

Hungary’s history has not really been on the happy side in the last centuries – we like to think, and of course, we can grab out a big amount of historical proof for it. However, the melancholy must be also in our blood, since we chose mainly to commemorate not successful events for our national holidays. It must be added, though, that they were always brave fights against oppressors, with notable politicians, poets or alike leading them.
If we look further back into the past of our country, we had had more joyful and powerful times, like those of our first christian king St Steven (Szt István) around the turn of the year 1000. He is also called the land- and religion founder – so this would explain why we have a Basilica, a holy right fist and a lot more dedicated to this virtuous man. On the 20th August we celebrate the foundation of Hungary, but more precisely the anniversary of St Steven’s canonization (i.e when he was declared a saint).

Late night bakery snacks – special treat at RÁKÓCZI PÉKSÉG

Budapest has great nightlife. Apart from the millions of bars, beers, concerts, walking streets to choose from (of which most of are located close to each other), one of the main night-life drivers are the non-stop open shops/buffets. In the centre, the jewish- and the university districts especially but actually everywhere – they are on every corner. You can recognize them from their lighting signs, usually with the coca cola logo as well, and the small crowd in front of it. Prices aren’t so high compared to the luxury service that you can eat drink and buy cigarettes (in Hungary they are sold in all the shops) at any time of the day.
But forget about sandwiches and gyros (döner, kebab). Now I tell you about a very special bakery spot, usually open all night long, many locals' favourite night snack place.

Splash and cheers – Drink fröccs first and go to bed with a Lángos in the stomach.

Fröccs is the splashing sound in Hungarian of the water. However, it is more important that it is the ultimate summer booze here. It is no big deal, white wine with sparkling water. There is small (kis fröccs with 1:1 wine-water proportion), big (nagy fröccs 2:1) and so called „long step” (hosszú lépés with 1:2) – so you see, almost a repertoire of cocktails. My guider duty makes me tell you, to the great disappointment of the Spanish: we also have „calimocho” (in Spanish), VBK (in Hungarian) – cock with red wine. However, is rather preferred by  teenagers, fröccs is slightly more elegant, a refreshing booze on the hot summer days.

Psychedelic Herbal Tea Rock- Korai Öröm concert in Gödör Klub

Gödör is in the centre, actually Gödör is the centre itself! You cannot stay one day in the city without stumbling upon it, and you shouldn't, as it is one of the most quality music and art points. A few days ago, my Parisian friend Jean Charles visited me, and he was lucky enough to come with me to a very special band's concert in Gödör. And in Budapest we like free programs... as it was around the days of 20th August, our national holiday, plenty of attractive concerts were brought to us without having to open our wallet.
Korai Öröm (their name means literally "Early Joy") define themselves something like psychedelic herbal tea rock, which oddly enough pretty much describes their style. In Budapest, there is a broad alternative music scene, and they are one of the dinosaurs, for more than twenty years in the business. They combine tribal oriental sounds and instruments with rock. It is mostly instrumental, sometimes almost sounding like techno, and sometimes more on the rocker side, the singer providing some mysterious spiritual humming, creepy laughing or he is just simply jumping around the stage.

Go out to the Ditch in the heart of the city – GÖDÖR CULTURAL CENTRE and PARK

Gödör means ditch in Hungarian. And we, Budapesters love to lie on the grass here, take beers, or go to the cool concerts. You might ask: Why on earth do we have a ditch in the middle of the city? The story is a mix of Hungarian political debate and the architectural creativity of  Budapesters.

  The location of  the new National Theatre would be a strategic issue in any normal city. In the Hungarian capital even more, as we are struggling to harmonize our national psychology and body, but let this be another topic on magyars... Anyway, a few years ago the decision was finally taken and they started preparing the garage of the new theatre building at Deák Ferenc tér (where our 3 beloved metro lines cross). However political debate got into flames again, construction was stopped, and the new National Theatre (Nemzeti Színház)  was put in exile in the south, on the riverbank, next to the Palace of Arts (Mupa). So, can you imagine, poor Deák Ferenc tér, old elegant buildings facing the big hole?

Luckily enough, the hole became the Gödör Cultural Centre and the gorgeous park around it the hottest meeting point. During the day you can lie on the grass and relax, watch the lake (which, by the way, is the ceiling of the concert room below!!), or the youngsters skateboarding. In the evening people of all age start gathering, for a beer, with a guitar, to meet international erasmus students, or maybe someone is just passing by with the bicycle. If your friend's guitar skills need improvement, go inside Gödör and feel the vibe at folk, etno or rock concerts, jump to some cool DJ, or enjoy a wine listening some jazz. And watch out for the ever present exhibitions as well!

Why not meet at Gödör? Találkozzunk a Gödörnél!

Useful links: http://www.godorklub.hu/

Where is it?

Ps: Gödör is at Erzsébet tér (Elizabeth square), during the communist regime it was Stalin square – we can agree that it is better those times are over...

                                                                                

Bakonyi Zsuzsa