Erzsébet tér might bustle in summer, but life doesn't stop during Advent,
either. We enthusiastically welcomed the fact that the Fröccsterasz, which was already
showing signs of transformation last summer, has been made over for the winter as
Télifröccs, an enticing culinary Christmas universe.
Not only does the
Winter FoodFest await, but you
can also warm up at Télifröccs, with a real Alpine atmosphere to enjoy mulled
wine, a Gin
Corner for the discerning, and the Terminal
for dancing until dawn – up to Christmas Eve, at least.
At last locals can feel that Erzsébet tér is not only for passing tourists, but also for them, too, and for great relaxation on a laid-back winter’s eve. Not to mention that if you sample some of the iconic street food dishes at the Winter FoodFest – where several nations are represented – you will surely go home satisfied, perhaps singing a few Christmas carols along the way.
Fairs are integral to the Christmas atmosphere in Budapest, where the essential
question is, let’s face it, ‘What can we eat’? But what? You’re almost always
enthusiastic about the dishes, but while the food behind the glass looks great,
you still might be disappointed when it comes to tasting it, and how much you
might have to pay for it.
At the Winter FoodFest, you can wave goodbye to all
that, as the most outstanding players on Budapest’s gastronomic scene have come
together to create something lasting on the barren Christmas-market front.
Mazel Tov, Tereza,
Smoke Riders, the 101BISTRO and
Chimney Cake have gathered up their goodies and, with all the practicalities of
street-food serving, brought restaurant quality to the stalls around the Fröccsterasz.
A world of flavour
“We’ve kept the flavours but changed the presentation,” says Áron
Kelemen, executive chef at Mazel Tov and Tereza, and owner of Smoke Riders.
With Christmas practically closed last year, many places pulling down the shutters, it’s a pleasure to see that Budapest’s culinary industry can work together, and look for new approaches and alternative solutions.
This is how dishes created by Mazel Tov, Tereza and Smoke Riders came to
be served from the same counter, 101BISTRO’s iconic Taiwanese speciality steaming
away at the stall next door, Chimney Cake’s pistachio variety being made two
stops away.
However, Fröccsterasz is also meant for those after more classic
dishes, so if someone wants a good stuffed cabbage, they shouldn’t have to head
to another Christmas market.
So let’s see what’s different about Winter FoodFest. Say goodbye, for example, to classic goulash and hello to steaming soups from different nations. Mazel Tov’s is a vegan lentil cream soup from the Middle East, Tereza is offering roast tomato soup while 101BISTRO has its signature tainan noodle soup.
Authentic Asian
“This soup is an authentic Taiwanese dish, actually a noodle dish there.
It is based on a white-meat soup, into which a ramen-like lamian pasta is
placed, and beef ribs prepared sous-vide for 12 hours. We season it with star
anise and cardamom, toss it with a gently poached onsen egg, and crown it with
a homemade 101BISTRO chili crunch,” is what they us about this dish at the 101BISTRO.
So, this is soup with a capital S, which warms on a winter’s night, the chili tingling, not to mention filling. Plus, you can take the chili crunch home with you and, if you can stop yourself from using it, it can make a great Christmas gift.
After the soups, let’s move on to the mains, which are not easy to
choose from. Highlights include Tereza’s steaming chili con carne, the perfect winter
comfort food, but it’s also hard to resist the pork quesadilla cooked in orange
juice.
Smoke Riders also prepare two types of BBQ sandwiches – pulled pork and
smoked beef – for which the meats are cooked in their own smoker, but the
jalapeño chili-cheese fries, which arrive with melted cheese, are also a really
sinful treat, which can be enjoyed while walking around the fair.
The Reuben special
“We dreamed of the Mazel Tov Reuben sandwich specifically for here, stuffed
with torn lamb strips, sauerkraut, cheese and mayonnaise. We guarantee it will sweep
everyone off their feet,” says Áron Kelemen.
Last but not least, the desserts shouldn’t disappoint,
either. Although the guys at the other stalls don’t make sweets, fortunately Chimney
Cake is right next door, and they easily steal the show with their delicious
pastries.
Their latest invention is chimney cake with pistachio which, judging
by the colour, might even tempt The Grinch, but don’t worry, it’s a much
sweeter treat. They also have chimney cake with Oreo cookies but you can choose
from the more classic flavours, and the version with gingerbread will soon
debut here as well.
Prices are reasonable considering this is filling
street food, and certainly no higher than at the classic Christmas markets – only
here. you can expect to get a really hearty and tasty dish. Soups are around 1,500
forints, except for 101BISTRO pasta soup, which in itself counts as at least a half-helping
more than any standard main course, so 3,000 forints is a completely fair price.
Sandwiches are also around 3,000 forints, chili con carne 2,490 forints and those
richly topped fries 1,790. Chimney cakes cost 1,800 forints, but they come with
whipped cream and extra fillings.
Of course, mulled wine and hot tea can’t be left out, either
thanks to Fröccsterasz. If those don’t warm you up, it’s worth popping into the
TéliFröccs bar, where a real winter ambience awaits.
If you’ve had a
gastronomic experience at the Winter FoodFest, don’t miss the Gin Corner either, just as good in
winter as it is in summer, because of its spicy taste. And if you don't want to
bury yourself under the duvet just yet, humming Christmas carols after you get
home, head to Terminal, where great parties and concerts await all winter.
Event information
For great Advent action, the Winter FoodFest awaits on Mondays through Thursdays and Sundays from
noon to 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to midnight.