Regulars
BITE SIZE REVIEWS
November 2004
Restaurants Vivid writers dined at recently included:
Alexandra Café (Soseaua Nordului 7-9, Herastrau Park,
230 2983)
Really excellent, good value pizzas, and a very nice place to sit in summer,
under a canopy of tall trees. Now that winter is here patrons have to move
indoors, which isn’t quite as nice, but the pizzas are just as good.
Pizza Siciliana highly recommended.
Angels (Str Paris 52, 231 9044)
Good variety of salads, noted use of fresh ingredients with an improved menu
that is good for pastas and pizzas. A little kitsch with the terracotta Italianate
angels embossed into the walls. Ventilation is poor – too bad they allow
smoking in all areas. Service friendly and attentive, and the bill of 2 million
lei for four people included two bottles of good local wine.
Arcade (Str Prof. Ion Cantacuzino 8, 260 2960)
One of the newest places in town with a nicely blended clientele, a one of
a kind menu and desserts to die for. Located in the vicinity of Herastrau
in an elegant three-storey villa with a nice terrace outside. A true dining
experience. Dinner for two was 1.5 million lei including a nice bottle of
rosé.
Balthazar (Str Dumbrava Rosia 2, 212 1460)
Bucharest’s answer to TomGeorge, Budapest’s most international
restaurant, and every bit as good. A beautifully renovated villa in one of
the city’s best residential streets, dinner there fuses a top class,
imaginatively put together menu with exceptional service and an environment
that just makes you want to linger. Each course was memorable. Bill was 2.6
million lei with a bottle of Australian white wine and worth every cent.
Barka Saffron (Av. Sfentul Sanatescu 1, 224 1004) One of
Bucharest’s favourite expat hangouts which is becoming increasingly
popular with locals as well. Its Cuban theme lends itself to a laid back,
refreshingly casual atmosphere. An excellent alternative for a quiet lunch
but gets lively in the evenings. Bright and friendly staff and food that tastes
great and is good for you as well. Lunch for two was 800,000 lei with tip.
Cucina (JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, 403 1925)
Always a very pleasant, relaxing dining experience regardless of the occasion,
with the new chef xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx improving what was already very impressive,
simple Italian home-cooked food. Excellent choose your own antipastas. Friendly
service with waiting staff breaking out into song in the evenings. Bookings
essential if you’re eating there in the evening. Dinner for two without
wine, but with an Exclusive Club card came to just over 700,000 lei.
Die Deutsche Kneipe (Str Stockholm nr 9, 679 2363)
Food was pleasant enough, and surprisingly large portions. Genuinely happy
German atmosphere enhanced by Romanian diners. A nice, unpretentious, fun
restaurant but don’t go there if what you want is quiet conversation.
Closed Sundays.
Italian Night (Crowne Plaza Hotel 224 0034)
An excellent evening all round, and the Crowne Plaza has a winning formula
with its Far Eastern (Tuesdays), Italian (Wednesdays) and Indian (Thursdays)
theme nights overseen with meticulous detail by Bucharest’s best chef,
Raymond Gomes. The Italian night boasted an excellent and varied salad bar,
five different made to order fresh pastas, a range of other delicious main
meals, delectable desserts and some excellent Italian and local wines. Buffet
style, 5-star service all the way, and the outdoor terrace was quiet and peaceful.
A great night out at 22 euros a head.
Piccolo Mondo (Str Clucerului 9, 223 2225)
Primarily Lebanese restaurant in spacious location which has been added to
and now includes a small hotel. One of the very first food alternatives to
hit Bucharest that has always enjoyed a solid reputation. Food is simple and
good without being sophisticated. Fairly priced. Efficient service. If there
is another restaurant where you can experience the sublime delights of a shasli,
then we don’t know it. A reasonably light (by choice) dinner for two
was 800,000 lei including tip.
Trattoria Roma
Authentic, fresh reasonably priced it food, be sure to call ahead, surprisingly
good and well priced seafood selection. Two people can eat like kings.
