Costes Restaurant
Budapest
Et overblik
Anmeldelser
I had an excellent night here. All the presentations are elegant and not exaggerated, well balanced flavours especially I like how they tone down the strong spice such as gochujang, saffron, and masala. I had duck breast as main course and that was the best duck I’ve tasted so far. It was so tender and well seasoned. The cherry on the top was the cheese cream dessert. It was so smooth in the mouth, perfectly blended sweetness, saltiness, and the cheese. I’m not really good with words but this restaurant really exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended.
Overall, I had a very good experience at Costes, but more attention to detail is needed for it to be great or excellent. I appreciated the excellent flavours, presentation, and non-alcoholic pairing. The waitstaff were charming, with special mention to the witty female philosopher with an excellent command of English. Bonus points as well for some playful food surprises (which I will not spoil here). Less impressive were the following details. I started the dinner with still water, but it ended with sparkling water (not at my request). The upsell cheese platter is not worth the price if the accompanying explanation amounts to: “Here is your cheese platter.” And real Roquefort (AOC) can never be made from cow’s milk. And there is so much more interesting information to share about cheeses. Although creating an original non-alcoholic pairing is not easy, especially at Michelin-star level, the pairing was good. Using wines from the same producer twice seemed intentional. However, when combined with two frothy cocktails featuring small ice pebbles, it could have benefited from a bit more originality. Food-wise, the menu was mostly excellent in terms of flavours, textures, and presentation. There were, however, a few small things I noticed that I did not expect at this level. I had a similar mouthfeel issue with the bottom layer of the beef tongue dish and another course, possibly the first amuse-bouche. The restaurant’s lighting did not seem to do full justice to the colours of the otherwise excellent beef tongue course. In addition, the cream cheese dessert contained a few small half-frozen nodules at the bottom, which did not provide a pleasant texture. I am not sure whether this was intentional, but I did not enjoy it. And not to forget, there were also some excellent highlights besides the playful surprises. A few hints: the butter, the amuse-bouche miniature artwork, the mini Ferrero, the artistic plating of the asparagus course, Hokkaido, the non-alcoholic white wine, the flavour fireworks of the third mignardise, and the use of several excellent local Hungarian ingredients. All in all, it was a very good and memorable experience. A little more attention to detail would be needed to elevate it from very good to truly great or excellent.
Probably the best dinner we got in Budapest. The Chef deserves a 2nd ** star in the Michelin guide for his creative and excellent combination of tastes, display in our plates. Service staff were all professional and friendly, sommelier suggested the right wine according to our own tastes to accommodate our tasting menu. Modern comfortable restaurant highly recommended to gourmets who enjoy fine food at reasonable price for a "real" Michelin star restaurant.
The few people I told I was going to Costes Restaurant, told me it was the first place to be awarded a Michelin Star in Hungary. It was obviously something of a watershed moment that locals are proud of, assuming it signalled Hungary’s arrival on the modern European fine-dining map. Today the kitchen and front of house team are committed to delivering a meal built on quality ingredients, with real character and soul that is expressed through skill and techniques that make for a luxurious experience for their guests. It is easy to see why this place is so highly regarded. Dinner at places like this all start with great food, but are equal parts theatre, memory, craftsmanship, and a quiet awe - because you’re not always sure what it is you’ve just eaten and how they have managed to make it and make it work. Our Valentine’s Day at Costes was a magnificent end to a perfect day. There’s no artificial stiffness here, no sense of trading on their past, or resting on reputation. Inside the room hums with quiet confidence. A “just you wait” and “you’re in for real treat”. It was a special menu for Valentines Day - and I will let the photos do the talking - but if you book here, you’re in very safe hands and every element of each course felt elevated, considered and there was something in each course that blew my mind. The wine pairings were great. Great pairings are memorable, because at some places they can often feel clumsy, or like the sommelier got a good deal on a dozen, so is making you drink something that feels out of step with the meal. I hope I am remembering correctly that the guys name was Peter. His pairings were excellent, and through the evening explained the wines well, what to expect and how it works with the dish. I said to him he was awesome and he said something like “my job is easy when the food is this good.” Humble and good at his job… I felt lucky to be eating here with someone I love on Valentines Day. I never really imagined I’d be in Europe, eating at a Michelin place ever in my life - but can confidently say this one is definitely exceptional and creates amazing food and memories. Thanks team!
First of all, everything about the restaurant is excellent. The service is truly five-star, and the place itself is beautiful and very pleasant However, the food didn’t fully meet my expectations 🌱I was expecting something more refined. It was still good and enjoyable, but not exceptional. The wine selection is quite expensive for what it offers. Overall it was still a nice experience and First of all, everything about the restaurant is excellent. The service is truly fivestar, and the place itself is beautiful and very pleasant. However, the food didn’t fully meet my expectations. I was expecting something more refined It was still good and enjoyable, but not exceptional The wine selection is quite expensive for what it offers. Overall it was still a nice experience and worth trying at least once. worth trying at least once 🍀
