Heavy but real

Poszonyi Kisvendéglő
Poszonyi út at the corner of Radnoti Miklós
Phone: 329-2911

Poszonyi Kisvendéglő

If you may be looking for a traditional Hungarian restaurant or 'kisvendéglő' you will be happily surprised by the atmosphere and the good food at the Poszonyi Kisvendéglő.

Some of my Hungarian friends and colleagues have confirmed this nice eating experience, so now I'll tell you why.

Set in a real socialism style kind-of-restaurant, the Poszonyi takes its name from the street where it is located. Poszony means Bratislava, by the way - but that is a totally different story!

At the corner with Radnoti Miklós utca, this restaurant is always packed with people from the XIII district hanging out for a cheap meal or a couple of pints before hitting the sack.

The restaurant atmosphere is rather basic, but relaxed. The largest tables are for 6.

Since this joint has been included in the Lonely Planet Guide, several things have changed: it has started to be visited by tourists, and the waiters are much more 'customer friendly' and English speaking, all of them wear a sort of 'uniform' consisting of a black background T-shirt with the name of the Poszonyi Kisvendéglő and the phone number. But these innovations don't affect the retro atmosphere that much. Especially during the summer season when the red gazebo on the street offers a nice location for an outdoor evening meal.

For those of you whose heart may not bear the super duper fried veal stuffed with camembert cheese, accompanied with French fries, I would recommend turkey with plumbs, apples and cinnamon, with croquette as a side dish. Soups are usually very good and the duck meat is always very tender and tasty. Steaks are also good.

Prices are low. Main courses usually cost no more than 1,500 Ft with dessert and soups under 1,000 Ft. Beer is even cheaper.

While the Pozsonyi is definitely a warm, cozy place where good quality food is served at very acceptable prices, once you step outside your clothes will smell of the super-fried air coming out from the kitchen. But that may be part of the experience when you dine at a real Hungarian restaurant.