Riccardo Giraudi opened his first Beefbar in 2005. Since then, he has launched restaurants all around the world, gaining Michelin stars in Hong Kong. Whether it is a restaurant by the Med or a downtown eatery, consistency is key – guests need to be able to enjoy the exact same high quality on a January afternoon as on a late August evening. Despite high expectations, a restaurant should not lose its mojo, underscored by solid professionalism.
Wherever in the world a Beefbar may be, it needs to reflect the characteristics of the given city. As the name suggests, each restaurant is focused on meat, but only premium: Argentine, American or Australian Angus, wagyu and Japanese Kobe. But the selection doesn’t just end here; brunches, lunch specials and now, a new Budapest Exclusive offer make the menu complete. Reflecting the philosophy of the franchise, the Budapest Exclusive assortment presents diners with classic Hungarian dishes created in traditional fashion, without a modern twist.
Budapest Exclusive dishes can be ordered at lunchtime or for dinner, and are featured in a separate section on the menu. There are two soups: black Angus goulash (2,950 HUF) and beef (1,950 HUF). Upon our visit we tried the former: no twists or surprises, this is a decent, trustworthy broth with outstandingly tasty meat.
No wonder lángos (3,950 HUF) features on the menu, it is revered in Hungary. But instead of the regular huge and oily disc-shaped offering, here you should expect a little teaser that fits in your palm. This is the only reinvented recipe, as the lángos here is topped with Kobe beef strips, Japanese mayo and flying-fish roe. It is tasty and a bit provocative, illustrating the need to bring a little invention into at least one of the traditional recipes.
Classic goose liver terrine is served with brioche (3,950 HUF). It’s a decent starter, but when our beef-cheek stew came with Hungarian dumplings and cucumber salad (3,950 HUF), we couldn’t take our eyes – or our hands – off it. Homely flavours come through, the meat melts in the mouth and it is a generous serving. The pörkölt here is outstanding, and a great introduction to classic Hungarian cuisine.
