World Food Thursdays

Country No. 33: Hungary

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Gay Hussar, Soho

Attendees: Ben, Ellen, Maor, Lee, Kim, Calum, Eoghan (venue chosen by Lee)

£45 a head

 

“Cabal” - a secret political clique or faction.

 

Today my friends we are a cabal. A sub-set of world foodies meeting at the infamous haunt of politicians of days gone by to plot and scheme and manipulate. Look out current world order, there’s a new one on the way.

 

Sounds sinister. In reality the only plots and schemes were those designed to ensure maximum menu items were tasted and the only manipulation came when some pre-stag shots were refused. Still, given the location it was the best way to set the scene.

 

And what a scene, a small, long room, the walls lined with pictures and caricatures of politicians from days gone by, diners tucked into their tables to give the waiting staff freedom of passage down the narrow central aisle. What better way to venerate the next country on the list, Hungary.

 

Starting like we meant business meant ordering a trio of palinkas, local fire water, flavoured with either apricot, pear or plum. Eye watering in their authenticity.

 

Having hovered up the loaves of bread, proving we were indeed hungry* we swiftly raised our orders for starters. Whipping was required as back benchers started heckling their own suggestions however the PM** ensured that a fair and just solution was put forward and so we swiftly left, never to come back again. Sorry, that’s Brexit, we stayed and embraced continental Europe ordering smoked Hungarian sausage, marinated fillet of herring with soured cream, Hungarian charcuterie, hortobagyi pancake and firmly at Lee’s behest, beef goulash soup. The soup was a winner, and having been passed round the entire table, was returned to Lee empty. So he ordered another bowl. A shining example of plutocracy.

 

Moving onto the main courses and, much like the UK political system, there were only really three choices, Veal Weiner Schnitzel with fried egg and anchovies (weiner – clearly the conservative option), crispy duck with roast potatoes, cabbage and apple sauce (red for labour), venison goulash (slightly alternative, but ultimately tastes the same as all the others – Lib Dem).

 

Portions were on the small side, with  the exception of the schnitzel which was massive, speaking of massive – the Brexit bill is going to be huuuuuuuuuuuge – but anyway, all plates were cleared and amazingly there was room for dessert.

 

Really committing to this meal we went all in on dessert, ordering the traditional dorbos cake, as well as a cherry strudel, the Hungarian trifle and a couple of portions of pancakes with chocolate sauce. I don’t remember any of the desserts standing out particularly, but I also don’t remember much waste. Sure there’s room for another half-hearted political tie in but I really don’t have the energy.

 

Hungarian Facts:

• The clinking of glasses when making a toast is forbidden, this is due to the Austrians clinking their beers after each and every execution of 13 Hungarian generals during the 1848 revolution.

• Budapest is home to the second largest synagogue in the world.

• Parents are subject to a naming law when it comes to choosing what to call their children. Names must come from a pre-approved list - any deviations from which must be approved by application to the Research Institute for Linguistics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

 

*managed to hold off for 199 words

** Prime Maor