The trendy interior of Bar Ladino might have caught your eyes as it glistened through the large windows that grace its exterior. Choc-a-bloc with young things chatting away over wine, beer or delicately chewing whatever delight adorns their plate. I always thought, “that’s not for me, innit. I bet it’s proper expensive in there ‘cos it’s clean, innit.” How wrong I was. While the cleanliness, food and drink quality belies an establishment that would cost the earth and serve but a nice arrangement of peas, Bar Ladino couples class with reasonable prices.
As my better-dressed and better-looking dining partner and I waltzed in to the sounds of Simon and Garfunkel on the radio and the pitter-partter of tiny keys from the hard working student-type in the corner, my eyes were immediately drawn (like the cheopo I am) to the 990 HUF lunch menu. A starter, main and dessert for under a grand! Not bad at all for a sit down meal.
The staff’s English was as good as the wallpaper was cool, stretching up to the high ceilings like a pair of especially trendily designed a-line flares with pockets in the knees. Upon these walls hung a selection of original paintings, which were wonderfully strange enough to stimulate conversation, even if your date is as interesting as a night in with a copy of James Blunt’s autobiography (mine wasn’t – she was charming as ever).
I opted for a plate of tomato and mozzarella for a starter, the pasta of the day (tomato and basil) for my main course and almond tiramisu as a desert. My dining partner went for mesclun salad as her appetizer, roasted goose leg with cabbage and potato strudel for the main and a chocolate mousse to finish. The goose was succulent and subtly flavored, while the tomato and basil pasta (topped with mozzarella) had me scraping my plate before the almond tiramisu could finish me off (in a good way). We’d just missed the lunch crowd, so the food came quickly – but not in a quickly just-out-of-the-microwave way, it was crisp and fresh.
In the evening the place becomes more of a bar and less of a restaurant, though they still serve a good selection of food. Vegetarians, apart from being happy in the knowledge that their diet doesn’t lead to the loss of innocent life, will also be happy to hear that all the veggie options are marked with a smiley face ! Yet another affirmation that they are the nicest people in the world. A la me.
To sum up, Bar Ladino was a pleasant surprise with good-sized and well-prepared portions of scrummy food in an atmosphere that was relaxing yet cool. I liked it so much, I went back again in the evening for a beer. I recommend doing both.
Ian Cook
Bar Ladino
1072 Budapest, Dob utca 53.
Tel.: +36.30.874.3733
www.
ladino
.hu