Xpat Interview: Rob Longworth, Director, Ocean Bar & Grill

Born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Rob Longworth first came to Eastern Europe as an exchange student in January, 1990. Although he requested an exchange job in Asia, a computer glitch sent Rob to Hungary. Signing up for another exchange, Rob once again requested Asia, and once again he was sent to Eastern Europe. This time Serbia. Having completed his assignment in Serbia, and his business degree, Rob decided to give it a go in Budapest.

In Budapest, Rob spent several years working in the software industry as a marketing specialist before a friend suggested they try opening a bar. After a research trip to Chicago and New York, the plans for the bar were set. Modeled after a 1920?s speak-easy bar, Fat Mo's opened in 1995 and quickly became a fixture in the community. The bar remains a popular watering hole for expats and locals alike.

After a brief stint with a venture capital firm, Rob completed the transition to the restaurant business in 2000 by opening Toscana Trattoria, (Belgrád rakpart 13.Tel: 327-0045) ) along with a couple of his Fat Mo's partners. The restaurant, featuring Tuscan specialties prepared by Tuscan chefs, was well received, and ranks consistently among the most popular eateries in town.

Today, Rob's primary focus is the Ocean Bar & Grill (1052 Budapest, Petõfi tér 3 (just next to the Marriott), Reservation: 266 1826) Budapest's premiere seafood restaurant, with its fresh fish delicatessen.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
Jan./1990 - computer mistake on post-university student exchange.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Not really, but travelled extensively from here.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Can't remember, but probably how beautiful the girls are.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend-what must they absolutely see and do?
Totally depends on what they're into, customise the options to their tastes.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Some of the best soups in the world, like Tarragon veal soup, good gulyás.

6. What food from home do you miss the most?
I don't really miss anything from Canada now, my tastes have changed a lot since moving here.

7. What is never missing from your kitchen?
Many things. I like to cook and keep a well stocked fridge.

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I think I would've enjoyed psychiatry.

9. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Anything menial and repetitive.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Back in Canada, where we go each summer.

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Southeast Asia

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I was probably more into sports as a teen than any band, movie or other pop culture area. I play a lot of sports but soccer probably edged out the others as a teen.

13. What can't you resist?
There is nothing I can't resist, if I have set my mind to it. If not, then appreciating beauty and sweets.

14. Red wine or white?
Red, but only because it is harder to find good whites.

15. Decaf or regular?
Neither, don't mind the taste but don't drink it. Occasionally a tea.

16. Book or movie?
Movie.

17. Morning person or night person?
Night person.

18. Dog person or cat person?
Neither really but more a dog person than cat person.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda side, kind of. Actually just outside the city limits in the fresh air.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Life is for living, so I try to use my 'No's' very sparingly.