Trófea Grill has been serving guests since the turn of the century and has become a known entity in the Hungarian world of restaurants. Upon entering, my dining companion and I were greeted by several smiling hostesses and shown upstairs to the dining area. The feeling was comfortable, like a lodge, with dark wooden beams and tables with benches, and at the same time it was more elegant than a simple hunting lodge.Our table was in a quiet corner next to a window. From there we could see the large dining room, but were comfortably nestled in the corner.
Our waiter explained that the restaurant operates as a self-service buffet and that we could choose our plates at our leisure. After taking our drink order and leaving us with a large supply of cutlery, we ventured over to find out just what the buffet had to offer. The food was neatly arranged in a semi-separated room, and seemed to be endless. From soups to prepared hot dishes, to salads, to cold cuts, to grill items, to desserts, the possible combinations were endless.
While standing at the grill watching the chef neatly line up each plate of food on the hot surface, it was impossible to ignore the excitement in the other diners waiting with me. Perhaps it is in part due to the national appreciation of a good deal, but the comfortable setting and vast selection of tasty food are a clear explanation for the enthusiasm I felt around me while listening to the sizzle of my dinner being cooked before my eyes.
In the anticipation that comes with watching your meal come together before you, it became clear that the experience of creating a meal truly to your tastes really is something out of the ordinary- especially when someone else does the preparation for you. If you want to try four kinds of meat and skip the green vegetables for potatoes and rice, or if you want to taste a prepared stew and create a fresh salad then indulge with two desserts and a piece of fruit, you can. If you want to take your time and enjoy four courses, savoring each for its own flavors, you can.
What was pleasantly surprising was the large selection of fish dishes. Both prepared and waiting to be grilled fresh, there were numerous fresh fish items that one might not expect to find in a buffet restaurant. In fact, possibly the best dish of the evening was a salmon appetizer steamed in lemon juice and topped with a creamy gorgonzola sauce- cooked next to our table. From time to time a chef visits the tables offering special dishes, and it was a good choice to say yes to his offer. The salmon was flaky and tender and the sauce was a delicious, yet not overbearing accompaniment. We were also given hot pogácsa next to the salmon, which were clearly freshly baked and melted in the mouth.
Excited by the many seafood offers, my dining companion selected octopus and mushrooms for the grill and upon noticing quail eggs waiting in a basket, simply could not resist. I was enticed by the chicken marinated in saffron and various herbs, mixed vegetables and smoked cheese. All grilled up together, and garnished with fresh tomatoes and a fluffy potato croquet, I felt I had created something quite satisfying.
Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience and we left feeling quite full. Trófea Grill would be a great place to bring a large group, a hungry family, or to celebrate a special occasion like a graduation. While it is accommodating for smaller groups of two or four, it is also very well set up to seat a larger group and has a separate events room as well. A set price includes all the food you desire plus drinks, and the variety means anyone would be satisfied.
Meg George
A taste of what’s on offer:
Soups
Raspberry cream soup
Creamy cheese soup with garlic croutons
Starters
Steamed salmon with lemon and gorgonzola sauce
Ham rolls stuffed with horseradish cream
Mains
Chicken marinated in spices with grilled vegetables and smoked cheese
Octopus grilled with mushrooms and quail eggs
Desserts
Assortment of cakes and fresh fruits
Zugló
1145 Budapest, Erzsébet Királyné útja 5.
Tel.: +36.1.251.6377
Újbuda
1117 Budapest, Hauszmann Alajos and Szerémi út corner
Tel.: +36.1.481.3000