Created by well-known Budapest proprietor Laszlo Vidak, Menza is a be scene restaurant and bar that mixes the milieu of modern downtown restaurants with the relaxed atmosphere a 1960s coffer bar. With a name that refers to the socialist-era workers canteens that dotted inner Budapest, Menza is thoroughly bourgeoisie today with a mix of local fashion elite and media workers in edgy clothing. The space is divided between a main floor eatery lined in terrazzo floors with mid-century design palettes and lively bar decorated with fabric resourced from a former Communist department store. <br /><br />
The Food
An all-day menu seres-up traditional goulash and green pea cream soups as well as starters like foie gras pate, Hungarian ratatouille and rump steak carpaccio. Salads are entrée size with innovative goats cheese and eggplant variations. Main dishes include beef fillet on mangold potatoes, roasted chicken on mash and duck breast on pearl barley all enjoyed with the steady backbeat of groovy lounge anthems and occasional DJ backbeat.
Last Word
Lively Budapest eatery recreates style of Communist workers’ canteen in mod dining room and bar in downtown Budapest.