READERS WRITE

On a romantic winter break to Budapest, we hopped in a taxi and crossed the Chain Bridge to Buda in search of an authentic Hungarian restaurant. Passing through the pretty, snow-clad historic centre, we ended up in the Soviet-era backstreets, where unprepossessing grey blocks lined slushy pavements. As the driver pulled up at the unmarked Kisbuda Gyöngye Restaurant, we almost asked him to take us back to the tourist-friendly Buda or more modern Pest. But nothing ventured… 


We stepped inside to another world. Turn-of-the-century elegance, a grand piano lightly tinkled by a twinkling gent, old-school waiters keen to recommend the season's specialties, and the most exquisite Hungarian game made this the best meal we've ever eaten. But you may need to visit Danubius Hotel Gellért’s famously grand pool the following day to burn it off.

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