http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31384 It's connected to the fashionable Tigris restaurant and the class just oozes from every angle: from the sleek, chic, minimalist decor that lets full attention focus on the beautiful young things posing elegantly on low pinewood stools, to the endless list of wines and tasty, but pricey, nibbles, chalked up on the large blackboards above the bar.
The borbar (winebar) highlights 26 talented young Hungarian winemakers and a different winemaker is featured every week.
When I visited on opening night at the end of May, the winemaker to watch out for was Csaba Miklos and the coolest drink was a sparkling rose called Frici from the Gere vineyards. Refreshing, innovative and very, very hip. Just like DiVino.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31384 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30005 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30005 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22914 It still retains the family business atmosphere and we stayed in the delightful 'Borhotel and etterem' (wine hotel and restaurant) with views of the mighty Danube.
The Hilltop company only started in 1991 but already produces some of the best whites in Hungary. The Neszmely Irsai Oliver 2006 is an absolute classic: crisp, fruity, all those cliched white wine flavours really do come true with hints of straw, spice and summer.
The Irsai Oliver grape is a relatively new hybrid and a relative of the Muscat grape.
It's eminently quaffable and very good to drink on hot summer evenings by the Danube!
Also recommended are the:
Neszmely Olaszrizling 2006(Italian riesling) and the Premium Neszmely Grigio 2006]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22914 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21678 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21678 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19391
Not bad value either - a large glass of wine set us back about £1.30.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19199 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19199 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17325 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17325 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16389
The 24-hour bar (essentially a fridge) and adjoining lounge are great to meet people and play some free pool. It’s a party place as well, so expect to have some messy evenings. A little bit of a mission to find, but definitely worth it. AND make sure you do a shot of Unicum at the bar. Medicinal apparently. Can't really remember.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16389 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12742
Home-brewed beer, which you can have in litre sized glasses if you want (and at about £2.70 a litre at May 2007 exchange rates). Ask the band for your favourite tune.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12742 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11530 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11530 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5253
On the plus side, it does come in great globe shaped bottles - miniatures of which make ideal presents for friends back home, particularly those you don't like much.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5253 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4966
Not at all pompous, so you don't have to be a boffin to enjoy it. The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are lovely - if a bottle's empty just shout up and they'll open another.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4966 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4809 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4809 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5004 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5004