If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, you’re probably thinking about how you could surprise your loved one with a truly special experience. There are many restaurants in Budapest offering Valentine’s Day dinners, but if you’re looking for a unique night out, then you should make a reservation at the Stradivari Restaurant at Aria Hotel Budapest. We’ve tried this special dinner, so here is a sneak peek for you.
At Aria Hotel, it’s all about music. Even the rooms were designed based on the characteristics of different genres of music, offering a great travel experience for opera and classical music lovers, or those who are into contemporary or jazz music. So it was only natural to name the restaurant Stradivari, after the world-famous violins. Click here to learn more about the design of Aria Hotel and to see more photos of the beautiful interior.
The Stradivari Restaurant at Aria Hotel Budapest. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
The romantic dinner at the Stradivari Restaurant, available on Valentine’s weekend from Friday to Sunday, will start with a special cocktail, called Flying Love, which will be served with two straws to get you in the mood. Then you and your partner can enjoy two different menus by chef Gábor Ferencz, one for the ladies, called Soprano, and the other one for the gentlemen, called Baritone.
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The reason for the separate menus is that the various aphrodisiacs have different effects on men and women. So while the Baritone menu includes oyster that has a proven effect of boosting men’s libido, the Soprano menu offers salmon and other specialties with a similar effect on women.
The Flying Love cocktail is the best way to start the Valentine’s Day celebration (vodka, amaretto, Disaronno, Aperol, lime and cranberry juice). Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Amuse Bouche with a touch of raspberry. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Violin hanging from the ceiling at the Stradivari Restaurant. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Celery cream soup with green apple (Bariton menu). Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Pork Medallions with Chinese five-spice powder, chocolate jus and potato cream (Bariton menu). Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
For dessert, the special menu offers delicious chocolate, strawberry, nuts and peanuts that you can share with your partner on the same plate. After dinner, make sure you also visit the High Note SkyBar, a covered and heated rooftop bar, with one of the best views over the city and THE best view over the St. Stephen’s Basilica.
They have a great selection of cocktails, including the Andrea Rost cocktail with champagne, grapefruit peel and Grand Marnier. This delicious drink was named after the world-class Hungarian soprano, who is also the music curator of the Opera rooms at Aria Hotel.
Chocolate, peanuts, honey and rose petals. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
After our dinner at the Stradivari Restaurant, we continued the evening at the High Note SkyBar, where we enjoyed the Andrea Rost coctail with the stunning view of the St Stephen’s Basilica. Photo: Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local
Soprano
Starter: Salmon caviar with wasabi cheese dumplings
Soup: Bloody Mary cream soup
Main course: Duck breast, vegetables with ginger, fondant potato
Baritone
Starter: Oyster, lemon foam, chilli
Soup: Celery cream soup with green apple
Main course: Pork Medallions with Chinese five-spice powder with chocolate jus and potato cream
Dessert (served on the same plate): Strawberry, chocolate, rose petals, peanuts and honey
Please note that our dinner was provided by Aria Hotel, but all opinions and observations are our own. Featured image by Zoltán Perényi / Budapest Local.
Check availability & prices at Aria Hotel Budapest.
