I’ve been planning on starting my Budapest Bucket List series for so long, so I’m super happy to introduce you to the first post: Testing Jamie’s Italian in the Castle Disctrict. This piece is also special because it’s delivered to you by M (@martonthespot on Instagram)! He’s the bigger foodie, either when it comes to cooking or eating, so it was quite self-explanatory that he would be the one writing a review of our first visit to Jamie Oliver’s recently-opened Budapest restaurant.

Enjoy!

TESTING JAMIE’S ITALIAN IN BUDAPEST

Why?

Jamie Oliver’s was our first choice for this series, frankly, cause:

(i) we love his cooking very much (although at home I am usually the (not so) Naked Chef ;)), and

(ii) we’ve heard more bad than good things about it, so – you know: the proof of the pudding…

When?

I called, reserved a table for us for a Wednesday night, and we “came, ate and went”, also getting some photos done on the way around the Fisherman’s Bastion in evening light, which is always a pleasure. Just to raise our appetite.

First impression

Helpful and polite staff, nice interior décor, well-arranged seating and most of all – which was a bit surprising – more Hungarian chatter in the background than foreign speech. (Truth be told, though, I assume Jamie Oliver’s places exist all over the world already, so tourists might not come here that often.) Despite the location and the weeknight, the restaurant was not that crowded, the lounge music was delightful, and so we did not hesitate and looked at the menu.

Menu

We were very satisfied with our eventual choices (keep reading…) but agreed on going back a few times to try out the variety of antipasti (appetizers), secondi (main courses), pizzas, all including meat-free options as well.

Drinks

(see photo below)

I have to say, I love good wine (it’s like a hobby for me) and also a willing to pay a fair amount of money for it, but – and probably they know it, too – the wine-list is fairly overpriced… (I know: location, location, location – rents must be a hell in the Castle District). Regardless, I chose a glass of white (Kreinbacher “Öreg Tőkék Bora”/”Off Old Vines”) for about 6 EUR for the 1.2 dl, which is a lot even in Budapest. The old vines tasted heavenly though, so money well spent. L had her signature Aperol and was very satisfied with it.

Appetizer

Mixed plate with mortadella, different kinds of sausages, pecorino, chili-chutney, olives and whatnot. Was very similar in quality to an actual Italian plate we had in Bologna (stayed tuned for the post on that trip in about two weeks). Our lovely waiter put the plate on top of two cans of tomato juice to save us some space on the otherwise very small table for two. Clever DIY-solution, guys and absolutely magnificent value for money (roughly 10 EUR for a platter of two servings). Don’t forget to ask for the oven-baked pesto and rosemary filled little breads. They are to die for (but the price is not going to kill you).

Main courses

We each went with a hamburger, I obviously jumped at the opportunity of a red-wine-soaked beef signature burger while L went for the vegetarian option, which turned out to be surprisingly hearty.

Desert

We only had room for one portion of chocolate truffel at the end, served with caramel ice cream! All I can say is: Well done, guys! Fortunately, I got most of it

+ 1 The lavatories

I am sorry to also include this here, but it’s so good that I must.

I had a revelation after dinner. I realized why toilets are sometimes called ‘crapper’ in slang. Well, apparently, there is an old company called Thomas Crapper and Sons, who (est. in 1861!) to this day manufacture toilets – even for Jamie Oliver. And their slogan – to be read on the rim of the toilets – is just lovely: “With you for the journey.” Honestly, I could not have wanted better last words: I am also with you for the journey you’re about to embark on next, but some time in the future I certainly recommend stopping over at Jamie Oliver’s Budapest Restaurant for a very good meal and a nice ambience.