As much as I love the narrow streets, castle ruins, and the beautiful landscape, the last time I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Calabria, I put most of my focus on food. And as a result, my pants don’t fit too comfortably now in the waist area.

Talking about Italian gastronomy, the second thing that usually comes to people’s mind after pizza is pasta, and I made sure to max my pasta experience out. Today many consider it an everyday meal all around the world, but did you know that once it was only available for the Italian nobles? The Americans only developed a love affair with pasta during the 20^th century, while in Italy, it was a beloved meal ever since the 14^th century, or probably even before.

Pesto trofie pasta

For Italians, food is religion. Considering their passion towards the act of eating and/or cooking I am not surprised that every single thing I’ve eaten (home-cooked and restaurant-style alike) was heavenly and of high quality. Some of their most amazing dishes are very easy to make like pesto trofie pasta; the locally-made fresh pasta is stored in fridges in the supermarkets, all you have to do is take it home and cook as requested on the package. When it’s done, mix the pasta with your chosen pesto – I’ve tried green pesto and the one with noci (walnut) and both are very delicious with a hint of parmesan cheese.

Spaghetti all’amatriciana

It is needless to say that the Italian cuisine wouldn’t be the same without tomato sauce. Being an essential ingredient, the very first reference to tomato and pasta comes from the 1800’s, when a recipe was written about pasta al Pomodoro in Naples. Today it is used in a variety of their meals, one of them being Pasta all’amatriciana, a reason why I would never become a vegetarian. The tomato sauce and the Guanciale (or bacon if you don’t have that at home) harmonize very well in the dish, and as a finishing touch, it is sprinkled with grated cheese (pecorino is the original ingredient but parmesan will also be fine). Note: I’ve tried it home-made, but it is available in restaurants too.

Linguine pasta alle vongole

If you love seafood, this pasta dish is going to be your new favourite. Not only is it mouth-watering, but also looks irresistible. The main ingredients are fresh clams, garlic, white wine, olive oil, finely chopped parsley, and of course linguine pasta. (No tomato sauce this time.) Don’t worry, there’s no need for any special skill to consume this dish, as the clams are already open when they get on your plate. Very delicious!

+1: Gnocchi alla sorrentina

Is there anyone on the planet who doesn’t like gnocchi? The small dumplings made from potato and semolina (or flour) are usually served with a sauce, tomato in the case of gnocchi alla sorrentina. It’s a summertime oven-baked dish, originated from Sorrento, Campania, prepared with basil leaves, a sprinkle of grated parmesan, and light & creamy mozzarella which, together with the flavourful sauce, make it very moist.

Alessio is different. The venue (situated in the green belt of Buda, amidst green tree-giants and grand villas from the 1930s) once housed a confectionary named Alex, which was bought out by a team of  enthusiastic gastro-entrepreneurs led by Miklós Forrai, then subsequently turned into an authentic Italian trattoria. Their aim was to bring to life a restaurant that serves huge portions for good prices, whose menu caters to traditional Tuscan tastes with ingredients straight from Italy, and where everyone can forget about the requisites of fine dining establishments and just kick back, unwind and enjoy the ride on the flavorful plains and hills of Italian cuisine. Based on the fact that almost 80% of their guests are regulars, we’d say they succeeded wonderfully.

We’ve arrived to Alessio on a hot Friday afternoon. The smart thing would’ve been to occupy a table inside the cozy restaurant, but the summer terrace looked so inviting with its folding shades and cover-giving cedars that we had to put our good judgment behind and give in to the enticing pull of the outdoor seats. As we’ve sat down, we were greeted by a basketful of home-baked breads, a smaller hill of Italian olives, and a duo of oily substances: one chili, the other garlic-flavored. The three items worked together beautifully: the breads were soft, the dips intense, and the olives fruitlike and just a tad bit tart. We flushed down the Mediterranean tastes with a Pinot Gris Szürkebarát from the cellars of Béla Bandi: it was crisp, refreshing, and had just the right amount of flowery flavors. Speaking of wine, every month Alessio hosts magical wine dinners. Their wine selection is composed of 80% Hungarian wines, around 18% Italian, and 2% Austrian wines, leaving no dish without liquid company.

After finishing our glass of white wine, we were served Buffalo mozzarella with Balsamic vinegar and tomatoes, and Alessio’s signature starter dish: sizzling shrimps in a soupy mixture of garlic, chili and lime. Both dishes were doused in pepper so as to enhance the various flavors. And enhanced they were! The mozzarella was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and you can taste a world of difference compared to the ones you buy at the supermarket. And the shrimps… It’s hard to describe the burst of tastes that fill your mouth as you bite down on the fat, garlic-flavored pieces of sea insects, sourced straight from the waters of Tuscany, followed by chunks of bread dipped into the hot, gold-colored lake of chili and lime boiling in the ceramic pot.

Next off, it was grilled duck liver with caramelized pear and buttered mashed potatoes, homemade tortellini filled with pumpkin and garnished with spinach, and chicken breast cooked in a pot, stuffed with spinach, sprinkled with Parmesan, and served with Rosemary potatoes. The three main dishes covered almost completely our table, and in their gorgeous composition looked more similar to Renaissance paintings than mere plates of food. The liver was light as heavens but all the more filling, the well-cooked tortellini made us feel like we’re at an Italian-American Thanksgiving dinner, and the chicken was a harmonious exercise in rustic culinary arts. By the time we’ve finished our glasses of Kadarka Siller from the winery of Ferenc Tóth (a cherry jam flavored, cookie-scented, ruby red liquid of seduction), we were as full as an egg.

Still, there remained three other beasts waiting to be conquered: the panna cotta with forest fruit sauce, chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream, and its evil-twin brother, the poppy seed soufflé. The soufflés were sprinkled with confectioners sugar and filled with melted chocolate and hot poppy seeds respectively, while the panna cotta’s delicate and natural jam layer covered a thick base of creamy sweetness. To get us through this final test of endurance, we’ve greased our throats with two favorite dessert wines: a glass of Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo from Puglia, and a glass of Villa Antinori Chianti Classico from Tuscany.

George Miller, the late comedian once said that the trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you’re hungry again – after our culinary journey at Alessio, we just couldn’t agree more. It’s a homely venue with the authenticity and the flavors of a Florentine family trattoria, made by and for people who have the deepest respect and admiration of Italian cuisine. One would appreciate it even in Tuscany.

Nobu Budapest

1051 Budapest, Erzsébet tér 7-8.

Located in Kempinski Hotel Corvinus, Nobu Budapest is the first Central European member of the avant-garde Japanese restaurant chain started by chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro. Head chef Gábor Schreiner is in charge of presenting Japanese-Peruvian flavours in Nobu-style, including mind-blowing seafood creations alongside Nobu’s classic meals and world-famous signature dishes. Try the restaurant’s brand new menu, check out the new bento boxes and don’t forget to test their heavenly seasonal desserts either! Don’t miss out on their lavish birthday celebration on 10 October when live music, cocktail discount, food specialties and a surprise dessert are awaiting you. Check out Nobu Budapest’s social media for details!

Baalbek Lebanese Restaurant

1052 Budapest, Váci utca 34. 

The finest meals of the Levantine cuisine are prepared at Baalbek, where the emphasis is on traditional recipes, alongside fresh and premium ingredients. The restaurant introduces gastro-adventurers to an exciting menu and culinary specialties such as ‘Kofta’ the spicy ground lamb, ‘Kunafa’ the Levantine cheese pastry and ‘Um Ali’ the Egyptian bread pudding. The colourful ‘Tabbouleh’, aka parsley salad, the all-time favourite mezzes containing “Hummus” and ‘Moutabel’ purées with homemade Arabic bread and ‘Falafels’ offer an exciting choice to vegetarian guests as well. Baalbek’s traditional Arabic teas are also worth a taste, enjoy a cup of aromatic beverage at the cosy winter terrace!

Hard Rock Cafe Budapest

1051 Budapest, Deák Ferenc utca 3-5. 

Located in the gorgeous building of the late Stock Exchange Palace, the legendary Hard Rock Cafe is an incredibly successful, world-famous American café and restaurant concept that also serves as a shop and a museum owning the largest private collection of Rock & Roll memorabilia in the world. With Jimi Hendrix’s poncho and Paul McCartney’s signed acoustic guitar displayed within reach, guests are always in for an incomparable dining experience. And we haven’t even mentioned Hard Rock’s divine international meals. This month’s exciting specialty, for instance, is an authentic American sandwich infused with alcohol (and love): whiskey bacon jam sliders. It’s finger-licking good!

Arriba Taqueria

1114 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 21.

1067 Budapest, Teréz körút 25.

1015 Budapest, Széna tér 1/A

With a colourful menu as vibrant as the streets of Mexico City, there’s a downtown restaurant chain which offers more than just a culinary experience. This gourmet, fast-casual restaurant provides finely prepared, authentic burritos, tacos and quesadillas, as well as an insight into a different, fascinating culture. If you’d love to taste these delicious specialties, but you’re caught up in work, don’t worry, you don’t have to miss out on the delicacies as Arriba offers a great food delivery service as well. Pop into the friendly joint (find them at 21 Bartók Béla út, 25 Teréz körút, and 1/A Széna tér) or order your Mexican street food favourites; one of Budapest’s most authentic places will surely satisfy you!

Terv Presszó

1051 Budapest, Nádor utca 19. 

Located just a stone’s throw away from Deák tér, one of the must-visit gastronomic spots of the Hungarian capital has been around for quite a while now. The history of this much acclaimed, friendly Terv Presszó draws a long way back: it was first opened in 1954, then soon became one of the favourite hangouts of local artists and writers, and nowadays, the charming joint keeps dazzling its guests with real Hungarian dishes and authentic flavours you simply can’t miss out on. Visit Terv Presszó to taste the marvellous goulash served in a cauldron, chicken paprikash, and beef stew with homemade dumplings and enjoy each and every bite while admiring the retro feeling that lingers around!

Wan Hao Restaurant

1107 Budapest, Jegenye utca 30.

Located in Budapest’s Chinatown, Wan Hao is well known for its authentic dim sums and Cantonese specialties by the locals and the Chinese community as well. For a lighter meal try their signature handmade Bao and Jiao (with shrimp) served in bamboo baskets, fried wheat or rice noodle. Would you treat your business partners with something exotic and unique? Just sit back at Wan Hao’s cozy and well-attended private rooms and savour their slow-cooked consommé, à la carte wok stir-fry, served in clay pot or on sizzling iron plates. All you could imagine about the authentic Chinese cuisine!

Ennmann Japanese Restaurant

1011 Budapest, Bem rkp. 20. 

If you’re a fan of the ever so popular colourful Japanese cuisine, embark on wonderful gastronomic adventures at Ennmann Japanese Restaurant! Located just a few steps from Batthyány tér, the joint awaits you with a wide range of exquisite meals and offers an abundance of gastronomical delights. Besides the amazing dishes of the Asian country, spicy bites and friendly atmosphere, you definitely don’t want to miss out on Ennmann Japanese Restaurant’s divine sushi selection which is one of the bests in town. Enjoy the mouth-watering bites while admiring the picturesque view of the gently flowing Danube and the marvellous building of the Parliament.

Café Alessio

1026 Budapest, Pasaréti út 55.

There’s a place in Budapest where the phrase “dolce vita” really comes to life, and it’s called Alessio. The menu caters to traditional Tuscan tastes with ingredients straight from Italy, with dishes like sizzling chili shrimps, Mediterranean fish soup with black mussels, octopus, squid, prawn, fish fillet and tartufo di mare, and homemade tortellini filled with pumpkin, garnished with spinach. In addition, you’ll find an enormous selection of Hungarian, Italian and Austrian wines, great desserts, and – most importantly – pizza galore! Drop by the Hűvösvölgy venue and kick back, unwind and enjoy the ride on the flavorful plains and hills of Italian cuisine.