Rezkakás

The second night in Budapest started with goulash and macarons, then ended with a ferris wheel ride above the cityscape.

We asked the hotel concierge for recommendations on authentic Hungarian goulash nearby, and they recommended Rezkakás. It was just a short walk from the Four Seasons, and on the way there we got to see one of the Christmas Markets getting all lit up and ready for opening day.

The restaurant was cute and cozy.

When we got there it was pretty empty (but, again, we eat during #GrannyHour). Eventually it filled up – mostly with fellow Americans. It must be a local hotel concierge recommendation go-to.

A little amuse bouche to start.

And then what we came for – THE GOULASH. It was delicious, hearty, warm, hygge, etc. ALL THE THINGS! Filled with tender beef chunks and herbs.

Then – cause one bowl of soup is not enough to satisfy this bottomless pit – I got the lamb chops as my main. Yums.

Pumpkin mousse for dessert.

But one dessert is not enough, duh.

We’d walked by this adorable macaron bakery, Chez-Dodo, on the way to dinner and knew we had to make a stop on the way back.

The inside was uhhhh-dorable, as all macaron bakeries should be.

We left with a massive box filled with one of every flavor, which was only 1/3 of the price we’d pay for something similar back home – bless you, Budapest.

After goulash and macarons, we were feeling pretty high on life. Take us even higher, ferris wheel!

Oh, and how pretty those views were. Very, very worth Mark’s grumbling. There’s Buda Castle and Chain Bridge all lit up and pretty, from afar.

And again. That one on the upper right is the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church.

I’d really wanted to do a nighttime river cruise up the Danube to see all the historical sights, but never really found the time. This was a nice consolation.

Yet another spontaneous “let’s do this” activity of the night: Four Season’s Spa!

It was stunning and almost totally empty. But, in keeping with the European hotel trend, lacked a hot tub. Sad trombone. So instead of soaking we just sat poolside and watched Speedo-clad Europeans brave the cold waters. Props to them.