In a idyllic part of Buda’s hilly 12th district, crisp fall leaves cascade down a sleepy suburban street. Just around the corner, another cascade, of celebrities and the cream of Hungarian high-society, descended on Budapest’s newest culinary hotspot. Cascade Restaurant recently had a revamp and wanted to shout it from the hilltops; so on November 9th they celebrated with a party to showcase all it has to offer….
The tantalizing smells of mulled wine and warm fruit punch, lured celebrities including big names such as newscasters Krisztina Máté and András Bárdos, sports personality Réka Rubint and actor Dezső Garas, onto the restaurant’s large rustic terrace. Two cauldrons of the bewitching beverages simmered alongside roasting chestnuts, making for a perfect welcome.
The bold exterior, all sharp angles, dark wood pillars, brick and glass, made for a lasting impression. A shiny black ceramic stove stood at the entrance, giving an immediate warmth to the slick interior where trendsetting art adorned the dark walls, colorful and exotic flowers brightened surfaces and minimalist glass lanterns hung from the ceiling, each one providing romantic lighting for the table beneath it.
At lunchtime, fresh hors d’oeuvres made for a satisfying starter platter; a seafood medley, king prawns, honey-glazed sundried plums wrapped in bacon and goose liver pâté, all elegantly garnished…and in unlimited quantities.
A buffet of hearty Hungarian favorites followed, and included crispy goose leg with mashed potato and red cabbage and veal pörkölt with galuska dumplings. A lightly seasoned perch fillet was on offer too.
The dessert was simple and took the form of a variety of petit fours; chocolate cups filled with cream and sour cherries, a zingy chocolate roulade, and a sweet sponge sandwich filled with juicy pumpkin relish.
And the cocktail bar-turned-crèche downstairs meant that those with children could unwind as their little ones took part in arts and crafts. As the night drew in, guests were able to lap up the romantic atmosphere evoked by good food, excellent service and a music concert provided by Nikoletta Szőke. Over 300 guests representing the Hungarian arts scene, esteemed companies, and the media sector were all able to mingle until midnight and let their hair down at this exciting gastronomic event.
Place: Cascade
1125 Budapest, Szarvas Gábor út 8/d
Tel.: +36.1.392.0007
