Return From Budapest

KAVEHAZ CENTRAL


CAFE MELANGE AND DOBOSTORTA

On our last day in Budapest we only had a few hours to kill before leaving our hotel for the airport. Our flight was due to depart at 1 p.m. We'd arranged for a shuttle bus to pick us up at 11 a.m. We got up early and headed over to the large covered market we had visited a couple of days ago. I wanted to purchase some authentic Hungarian paprika. We had seen it at the covered market but thought we might find it at a better price in a supermarket. Problem One: we could only find one supermarket and it only carried paprika in plastic bags. I wanted a decorative tin. Problem Two: The stores closed at noon on Saturday and all day Sunday. So Monday morning was our last chance to do a bit of shopping. I purchased my paprika and Brad picked up a bottle of Tokaj, a Hungarian dessert wine. After our purchases we had time for a visit to one more coffee shop. This time we went to Central Kavehaz, a legendary 19th century coffee house that has recently been renovated. It was warm and inviting. The coffee was delicious and we just had to sample one more Dobostorta (luscious layer cake) before leaving Budapest. It was probably the best Dobos we'd had.

Back to the hotel and the minibus picked us up right on time. Our flight departed about a half hour late, but we arrived at Manchester on time. As we stepped off the plane we were greeted by a cold rain shower. Yeah, we were definitely back in England. We got back too late to pick Ginger up, so I will have to pick him up tomorrow morning.