Grand Cafe Oktogon. This is an unofficial site, but nevertheless has some pictures of the Grand Cafe Oktogon which opened in March 2002. The 3 owners of the Cafe Restaurant decided to open an establishment in the Oktogon area, which had previously been dominated by fast food restaurants. Opposite a Tram stop and adjascent to a Metro line the positioning was ideal. David, Dani and Felix together with 3 Hungarian investors, who left the project at an early stage chose the site of a former Kavehaz, which was then occupied by a car showroom, a photo development booth, a mobile phone outlet and a Japanese restaurant. The Cafe Sorrento had been a busy place in the early 20th century when the Budapest Cafe society was in full swing. Together with the supervisor of the building they began their aim to build and run a Hungarian style Kavehaz with a touch of French Flair and English service. This is a view looking from to the right of the bar area back across the Cafe, to the top right the VIP area can be seen, this can accomodate parties of up to 30 people and has a view down over the cafe. Centre right is the stage area, which can be used for fashion shows as well as for concerts. Saint Martin the musician has played here regularly, as well as diverse musical tastes ranging from DJs to big band to classical. In fact the background music for the cafe is also diverse, featuring classical music through to artists such as George Michael, depending on the time of day and the predominant clientele. Grand Cafe is a place to relax and ease away the stresses of the day. Foreign language newspapers are available daily and quite often customers can be seen coming for coffee in the morning, taking lunch and also enjoying dinner in the evening all on the same day. I think that says a lot for any restaurant and its food. This is a view looking from the stage down to the bar area, the toilets are to the right of the bar at the back of the picture below the arched window on the top right. The bar area is shown here a very large variety of both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks are available as well as Illy coffee (the best in the world), and a selection of Teas and hot chocolate drinks. There is Kronenbourg on tap as well as a variety of other bottled beers, and of course an excellent wine list featuring the best Hungarian red, white, rose and sparkling wines. I thoroughly recommend the Joszef Bock barrique from Villanyi and the Weninger Sperrn Steiner barrique from Sopron from the top end of the reds, both are well rounded and would go well with any red meat dish or equally well on their own. From the white wines there is a very good dry white whose name escapes me but I assure you will be here soon, and of course there is a Tokaji the sweet wine of kings! The Grand Cafe also stocks some Hungarian sparkling wines made by Torley at a very good price and also some French champagnes for when you really wanna go nuts! I forgot to mention the banquette seating which I can proudly say I had a hand in suggesting, they are very comfortable and are situated mostly in the immediate area of the bar.
Sample menu and wine list to be attached! |