The lineup of District VII’s lunch offers has expanded with Szimpla Kert’s ongoing evolution on Kazinczy Street. Until now, the ruin pub’s sister establishment Szimpla Háztáji offered two-course lunch menus on its own turf across the street, but the bistro has outgrown its location and moved across the street, where there’s more seating room. Few people knew that Háztáji’s meals have always been prepared in Szimpla, anyway – they had enough kitchen capacity.
When looking for a quick lunch, we focus on the menu and the price rather than the environment, but it’s still nice to spend our lunch break in Szimpla. We could already get acquainted with the daytime ruin pub at its Sunday markets and other events, presenting a rather different image than its nighttime scene. Moreover, guests will be able to eat their meals in the inner courtyard under the open skies once the good weather becomes permanent.
The bistro’s repertoire remains Hungarian-based; we visited them for lunch on Monday when they had tomato soup with alphabet pasta and roasted green-bean pottage or seashell pasta. The dishes were delicious, and cost 1,790 forints (including a homemade raspberry syrup-soda), and 1,990 forints with a dessert. The latter changes daily, as well: we can expect pies, cup desserts, sponge cakes, and regular cake slices. Lunch is available from 11:30am to 4pm daily, even on weekends.
At the same time, Háztáji continues to offer cakes, desserts, and snacks, as well as lecsó pepper stew and goulash in order to please wandering tourists.
