We can draw some parallels between Paris and Budapest (for example, compare the Champs-Élysées and Andrássy Avenue), and yet the French line is somehow missing in Budapest. Jean Café, which reopened in November near the Király Street stop of the 4-6 trams, is attempting to change this by bringing a little bit of Paris to the Hungarian capital... and what better way to do this than delightful crêpes?
Jean Café opened at the end of May as a classic French café and then, about a month ago, it changed its profile and now offers more filling dishes as well. Naturally, the bakery products have not vanished from the counter; we can still eat croissants, sandwiches and baguettes, not to mention the hearty egg breakfasts.
As we enter the store, it's like we've stepped into a small Parisian boulangerie. The staff greets us in French, plus their authentic working uniform – a striped sailor shirt with classic hats – gives the place a really unique touch.
On one wall, we can see Gerard Depardieu’s photograph, next to it stands a matchstick maquette of the Eiffel Tower, and an original subway tile from Paris to preserve the urban character. Store manager Ádám Gubán lived in the French capital for a while, and wanted to bring a place to Hungary that reminded him of his Parisian days.
France has a history of pancakes, which however differ greatly from Hungarian "palacsinta" in both size and thickness (the Hungarian version are also available in the café). The French specialty, the crêpe is paper-thin and simply enormous with its 40 centimetre diameter. Jean’s most popular version of this pancake is the banana-Nutella version, which is a true classic among pancakes, anyway.
We can also try salty pancakes with original Provencal seasoning; options include honey-mustard chicken and bacon-sour cream crêpes. Both are rather rich and filling, especially if we eat them as part of a lunch menu when it also comes with a soup (the menu costs 990 Ft and is available on the weekends, too, with a sweet or salty pancake).
In addition to the pancakes, another specialty of the place is the macarons made from almond flour, brought straight from Paris. However, Jean does not insists on being all-French, and offers American pancakes with maple syrup and Italian Lavazza coffee as well, thus making the selection a bit more international.
We can buy our own pancake fillings from the display case: Nutella, diabetic jams and other sweets and English Christmas teas. Speaking of Christmas! In the holiday season, Jean offers gingerbread and mulled wine to celebrate. Bon appétit!
