Tokaj wine tasting with Adam Varkoly

Our trip to Budapest also took us to Hungary’s most famous wine-growing region, the Tokaj region. There we met a young Hungarian winemaker full of esprit, Ádám Varkoly. If you think Tokaj wines have to be sweet and full-bodied, Ádám will quickly teach you a lesson. His winery Árpád-hegy Pince in Szerencs also produces wonderful, dry wines from Furmint.

Gin & Calamansi from the Philippines

A small bottle of gin, brought by a very, very dear colleague on board set this story in motion: The petite Filipino lady handed my dearest captain a farewell bottle of Philippine gin. “We’ll drink it in the Philippines with calamansi fruit, never with lemon, Captain!”, she said with a smile.

Hungarian goulash – straight from the Puszta

From Budapest we made our way to the Hungarian Puszta. If there is a “real” Hungarian goulash somewhere, then in Hortobágyi, a small town in the middle of the Puszta. On the bridge market (Hídivásár), which is celebrated annually on the national holiday in Hortobágyi, we found it. Here it boiled and bubbled in large cauldrons. And we brought the recipe…

Monkfish – an extraordinary fish dish

Monkfish is generally a delicacy, no question. In this recipe the solid fish comes with black, sea-aromatic spaghetti. Together with the tomato sauce, which is deglazed with vodka and refined with vanilla, the plate convinces by strong, bright colors, phantastic flavors, bite-proof fish and very special pasta – all topped off with a little fresh mint. A feast for all senses!

Onion cake with pear and walnuts

Onion cake belongs to fall like falling leaves, mushrooms, fog and a bit of sentiment that summer is going on. This autumn, I changed my classic a bit and turned it into a tart. And what goes well with onions? Bacon, of course, and pears and blue cheese. A few walnuts on top – and the beautiful autumn soul warmer is ready.

24 hours Budapest

This rush was not even necessary during our visit to Budapest. After all, this was not a “shoreleave” of the usual kind. I mean, Budapest cannot be reached by cruise ships, and in all cases by river ships. But we were there simply on vacation, by plane. It’s our first time in Budapest and in Hungary. Invited by our dear friend, the ship’s doctor.

Dorade with oranges and garlic

A dream of a fish! Roasted as a whole in the oven, this sea bream bathes in orange and lemon flavors, fine fennel is reminiscent of the last Mediterranean holiday…

THE WILSON’S Berlin – to our taste!

“Modern, stylish, cosmopolitan” – this is how the new Berlin restaurant THE WILSON’S is characterized. In the heart of City West, the completely refurbished and realigned restaurant at Hotel Crowne Plaza Berlin City Center at Nuremberg Street has re-opened since September. We were there for the pre-opening dinner.

Sweet potato soup – dead easy

Refined and yet so easy. Ginger, curry and turmeric give this soup that certain something. The shrimp make them suitable for a nice multi-course meal. Of course, it also tastes without shrimp. Lightning fast and just delicious.