"Cuisine: International cuisine with a strong Belgian accent. Atmosphere: Sitting pretty on the Buda bank of the Danube, at the foot of the Budai Castle. If choosing this restaurant for dinner, taking a short walk around to build up a healthy appetite for the meal while enjoying the fascinating evening lights of Buda is highly recommended.We were lucky because the owner and his wife warmly welcomed us, offering a nicely decorated table with cute Valentine motives. The goldish ceiling and the red Valentine decoration created a warm home ambiance together with the continuous presence of the current owner, who as recently as a few months ago returned to Hungary from Brussels to open an authentic, affordable Belgian restaurant. And here it is: Carne Di Hall. I know very few restaurants in Budapest which is characterised by the constant presence of the joyful owner. I am happy to find one. Go and try and meet Imre, a real restaurant owner.
Who to take: During our stay there were many foreigners in the restaurant. I think many tourists - coming from the neighbouring hotel – discover the restaurant passing by.
The place is ideal for longer business lunches; my feeling is that during the weekdays many businessmen choose this tiny restaurant for eating out with their colleagues. On the other hand, the place is also a perfect solution for dining out with friends or family members and is definitely not a children’s place.
What we ate:
Starter:
Croquette de crevettes
Stuffed croquette with crevette cream flavoured with parsley was described as a typical Belgian starter by the owner. I tried it for the first time in my life, and it was just amazing. The crevette cream was gorgeous.
Salad roquett & crevettes
A real plate of fresh rucola salad with a huge portion of crevettes. The crevette was very fresh and mild. This would be sufficient for a main dish.
Main course:
Beef tartar with French fries
It was an original tartar: The fresh meat is not minced – as we usually get tartar – but cut into small meat cubes. Simply melting in my mouth. I will return to repeat this particular culinary enjoyment.
Grilled salmon fillet with vegetables
Perfectly grilled mild salmon served with delicately spiced, crunchy vegetables. The light sauce on the vegetable was simply superb.
Dessert:
Wittamer cake: Belgian specialty sweet direct from the best patisserie in Belgium. This cake is inspired by summer with the freshly picked fruits which produces a special texture in the month. Simple irresistible.
What we drank:
Astoria Prosecco – was a perfect start for our dinner. Fresh and light.
Szekszárdi TRIO 2005 – very tasteful red wine, was a little bit too bodied for my taste.
Service & Value
A perfect dinner for two for Ft 15,000. I found the price very reasonable for the quality of food and perfect service we got.
The portions are surprisingly big, and the salad plates are especially grandiose.
The waiters are well prepared and kind, ready to explain the secret of each plate.
In Carne Di Hall I could try genuine Belgian plates just like being in Belgium. Get ready to try it!
From the menu
Starters
Tomates crevettes Ft 1800
Veritable jambon St. Daniel Ft 2200
Salate roquette & parmesan Ft 2300
Home-made goose foie gras Ft 3200
Blini with fresh goose liver and mushroom Ft 3750
Main dishes
Mussels with tomato sauce Ft 3150
Heart of fillet of beef grilled Ft 4500
Beef Stroganoff Ft 3850
Desserts
Floating Island Ft 850
Saboyan Ft 1300"
Source: Budapest Business Journal
05.03.2008