My weekend at Lake Balaton was one culinary highlight after another. While Csopaki Resti was by far the most interesting restaurant for dinner, I really enjoyed all the other meals around the lake as well. Fövenyesi beach offers a couple of dining options, and we had dinner at one of them. Most important, as I painfully learned, is to bring mosquito spray. Despite this small hurdle, I loved the atmosphere and the great food. The stalls are self-service, which says nothing about the quality of the kitchen.
dining option @Fövenyesi beach
I ate a delicious fermented cucumber soup, recommended by my Hungarian friend, and it turned out to be a completely new experience for me.
cold fermented cucumber soup @Fövenyesi beach
For the main course I had breaded and fried carp with pumpkin stew. Stew is something Hungarians are very proud of, and many vegetables are served this way. The thick, soupy consistency is not really my favorite, especially not in summer, but since the menu was entirely in Hungarian I trusted my friends’ recommendations. It tasted lovely, though I might have chosen differently had I known what I was ordering.
pumpkin stew with carp @Fövenyesi beach
We stopped for coffee and cake at Fonyód Konyha Nonprofit Kft. in the Balaton Fonyód Hill Park. This is another self-service place, but the cakes inside convinced us to stay for a moment. I ordered a blueberry cake with almond slivers, while the others had cherry cake with crumble on top. My cake was a delightful summer treat, the berries bursting with flavor and wonderfully juicy.
coffee and cake @Fonyód Konyha Nonprofit Kft.
For a glass of wine and some cheese, look no further than the St. Donat winery. The view over the lake is breathtaking, but so was the wine. We enjoyed it together with a cheese plate, the perfect snack before heading to dinner at Cspoak Resti.
water and wine @St. Donat winery
local cheese with the wine @St. Donat winery
Breakfast in Tihany happened at Brunch 23, a very popular place. Within walking distance from our apartment, we arrived there just in time before a downpour started. The deluge worked in our favor and got us a table faster, as we waited inside for someone to leave.
Brunch 23 @Tihany
Although the restaurant operates on a self-service basis, everything moved quickly and the staff were friendly. I ordered eggs Benedict and was quite happy with my choice. Two poached eggs sat on a sweet scone with smoked ham, sauce Hollandaise, and a bit of salad. Perhaps a little too much salad, but the sauce was homemade and very good. The ham, however, was not entirely to my taste, as I prefer the cooked version for eggs Benedict. Still, it was a tasty breakfast.
eggs Benedict @Brunch 23
Since it was the weekend and I was on vacation I decided to have a dessert as well. This little cake was a deconstructed version of the famous Hungarian dessert Rákóczi túrós. The apricot cheesecake cookie was delicious, I can tell you that.
Rákóczi túrós @Brunch 23
Last but not least, I had a Lángos, a staple of Hungarian cuisine, and one you simply cannot leave the country without trying at least once. The Móló Café Bar, also known as the Pier Café, might not look like much, but the Lángos was excellent. I ordered mine without garlic, as that flavor is used quite generously in Hungary. Yours, Pollybert
Lángos with sour cream and cheese @Móló Café
