Szimply

A day without eating well is a day without having lived

Ever since I moved to Budapest, I've been fascinated by the great amounts of places to get coffee, breakfast and lunch hidden throughout the beautiful city. Like little flowers in a vast grassland, they can be found in the most varied premises: coal-black, grand, petite, full of color, at times minimalistic. Often young people stand in the kitchen or at the counter, with an impressive passion for creation. Particularly in those places one feels welcome immediately. With my laptop clutched underneath my arm, I was wandering yet again through my beloved city in search of a place to empty my head and fill my stomach.

A small wooden cottage with a steel majesty

Being led by my curiosity, I enter a courtyard and immediately smell the sweet scent of toasted bread and jam. The sun hasn't been showing itself much today and the courtyard appears rather gloomy, caught in between the high walls of the surrounding houses which appear to be looming over it. Like a small ray of sunshine at the horizon, I notice light coming from the high windows of a shop. The door's open and there are wooden blocks and tables next to the door. I simply follow the smells and eagerly enter the simplistic looking venue. An amiable couple welcomes me and they cheerfully ask where I come from. At first I'm rather shy, but soon enough I feel completely at ease with them. I put down my laptop and the kind gentleman presents me the menu. A sigh of relief emerges from my bag: My wallet discovers I can expect various breakfasts and lunches for not even 3. 75. That’s why Budapest needs to be called BudaBEST.

Yum, yum and yum

On a blue-grey platter with a golden fringe I honestly receive the most delicious French toast I've ever eaten. Not only my tastebuds experience one of the better days in their lives, also my eyes receive their fair share. The colors are perfectly balanced. From the flowers to the emplacement of all the different ingredients, everything is just right. In the following week I catch myself often settled comfortably here with a plate full of heavenly goodness. I wonder if after this discovery I might go bankrupt, but I reason that I would gladly do so on behalf of happiness rather than be rich from frugality.

It’s the people that make the food

It's not only the food that makes you want to pay a visit again. Also Zsofia and Laci added more color to my adventure in Budapest. They not only put a piece of their hospitality in their culinary creations, it can also be felt in the warm ambience that characterises Szimply. Sometimes people cross your path who make your life just a bit better than it was before. Sometimes even happier. Not only will I go home with a well stuffed suitcase full of wonderful memories, I might also need to book some extra kilo's at the check-in because of all the jeans which don't fit anymore. Even healthy food in the right amounts makes it possible to bring a food-baby back home. And we call her Szimply. Szimpla the best!