I have discovered this restaurant some 5 years ago, and have gone here every visit, even took my parents visiting from Australia to dine here a few years ago. All the meals over the years were pricey, but very good. This time I also stayed...at the hotel and come for dinner, the whole experience, like the hotel itself, very very mixed. I was sat in the second room, not in the cosy front room adjacent to the kitchen. So instead of being seated in some cosy corner in this large empty bright as anything room, as solo diner, the very surly older male waiter gave me the table kinda in the centre, even though the room only had 4 other diners. I was sat under the brightest interrogation style spotlight in my face. I was seriously blinded by it, to the point I couldn't read the menu. I asked the only other waitress there if they could turn the spotlight down or if I could move. She said she is new, and will go check, the same older rude guy barked something, she came to say "no". She was at least kind enough to suggest I move into corner table, that was half as bright, I did. Nobody helped with anything, so I moved my bottle and glass myself along with my coat and all my things. This same very unfriendly guy came back with a look on his face like I killed his firstborn, demonstratively reset the cutlery at that other table, even though I didn't even get a chance to touch it. He was sour faced for the rest of the night, showed no interest or kindness to me as diner whatsoever. The only redeeming service feature this lovely new kid called Berna or Bermadette, her first week there. She was poorly trained (eg slamming my main down on table etc, not noticing I didn't have my fabric serviette, i had to ask for it), but she was so kind, fun and sweet that I almost forgot how dreadful the rest of it was. Soup was good, but pricey for tiny piece of dry chicken, at least the broth was excellent. The duck livers main was excellent, with the best potato mash I have had in years. The only downside they haven't drained the livers properly, so almost half a glass of oil gathered under the livers in a huge pool (see photo). Beautiful taste, soft, and perfectly cooked livers though, despite all that. The rude waiter was clearly keen to get home, (kitchen closes at 11pm, but reception said if it's quiet like that night, they go home earlier,) so he didn't even afford me the option of a dessert just bruskly asked if I will have coffee. At least lovely Berna bothered to offer me some raspberry palinka, which I then took to my suite, as this same angry waiter started to loudly pack up the restaurant before even 10pm. The whole experience left such unsavoury taste, I decided to dine somewhere else the following night, even though I stayed at the hotel partly to dine here for convenience. I am very sad to say, next time I give this place a miss, and try one of the new places in Buda instead.More
