Eating out and shopping for groceries in Budapest while suffering from Celiac’s disease can be quite frustrating.  There aren’t as many options as one might be used to.  Expat Echo has dug up some valuable information to help with Gluten-Free shopping and dining.

There’s no shortage of paprika in Budapest, but every once in a while it’s nice to be able to cook up a little something different…or as the case may be for a lot of expats, something familiar. Culinaris is wonderful if you’re looking for a wide range of Western-style ingredients, but you’ll be more …

Osztriga Cooking School
presents
The “Mesés Kelet” Cooking Club
Chef Ahmed Khalil (Mada), raised in Suez, Egypt, will introduce you to some of his favorite Middle Eastern recipes.
Cost:    8,000HUF, includes dinner and refreshments.
Time: 6pm, Wednesday, July 21 in Osztriga Cooking School, 1082 Budapest, Nap utca 23
Contact:  +36 30 335 0599, info@osztriga.hu
The menu:
Creamy red lentil soup
Egyptian …

Being a vegetarian can be hard when living in Hungary, but it is not impossible to find your favorite produce and keep your veggie dreams alive. Below is a comprehensive list of vegetarian shops and restaurants that should whet your healthy palette. Enjoy!

Biokonyha
home delivery (lakto)
Tel: 20-200-1045
zimrezs@invitel.hu
sales@biochef.hu

Vegafood
Home delivery (lakto)
Tel: 1/221-6601
ennemkell@vegafood.hu
Biopont
Darshan udvar (vegan)
VIII. Krúdy Gy. u. 8.
Tel: …

Last year saw the death of the last nationwide reusable mineral water bottle in Hungary – the Margit Szigeti 1.5 liter. The mineral water company has been owned by Pepsi for many years, and considering how early they stopped reusable bottles for their other lines, it is amazing the mineral water held out for so …

Looking to make a little something different for dinner?  Treat yourself and your family to a new culinary experience this summer. Chefparade Cooking School offers hands-on cooking courses, where guests can master the basics of both Hungarian and international cooking in a fun and interactive atmosphere.  Cook side-by-side with local chefs as they introduce you …

There are times to welcome Starbucks. Our local, Bay Area cafe made a mean and quick espresso, and served as the venue for study marathons, late night gatherings, and then, just post-kids: an early morning stroller stopover. We ultimately caved to the reality of family, and found ourselves making the move we swore would never …

It was a long time a-coming, but a genuine Mexican taqueria finally set up shop in Budapest in spring of 2009. Arriba Taqueria (opposite the Muvesz cinema on Terez krt., Dist. VI) is under the direction of Mo Ortiz, well known to expats as a partner in Iguana Restaurant. With its eye-catching décor and focus …

Your first trip to a Hungarian market may prove a tad disconcerting. Cows’ tongues, pigs’ cheeks and chicken heads dangle overhead. Lanes are crammed with mounds of weird shaped legumes, knobs of queer nuts and peculiar fruits. It all seems a wonderful trove for a witch’s kitchen, but the poor expat can be forgiven for …

The participants should make one dish only on the topic “main course” (it could be meat, fish, vegetables, rice, or pasta).
Rewards:
1st place: Culinaris gift voucher for 10 000HUF
2nd place: Culinaris gift voucher for 5000HUF
3rd place: Culinaris gift voucher for 3000HUF
Participation conditions:
1.) Participant has to be a fan of Culinaris on Facebook
2.) three kind of …

Introducing Furmint, a Signature Hungarian Wine! Spend an evening getting to know furmint, one of the most promising native Hungarian grapes. Furmint is best-known for being an important component of Tokaji aszú, but it makes a fine full-bodied dry white wine in itself, most notably in Tokaj and the tiny Somló region.  Instructor László Bálint …

What better way to appreciate a hot summer’s day than to visit a lush organic garden – and discover the secret to finding an array of produce not usually found at local grocers. A well-regulated organic industry is expanding into niche markets.
On assignment to report on the organic foods market in Hungary, I recently drove …

Café 57 would like to invite you to its Terrace Opening Party.  Celebrate the season in the new space while sipping your choice of Tattinger Champagne, Hold and Hollo design wine, or Pálinka from Gyulai Pálinkafőző Manufaktura.    Hors d’oeuvres from Chef Csizmadia round out the informal evening festivities.
When:May 27, 2010 7:00pm, Where: Pusztaszeri St.57, …

Every year, we bid farewell to felow expats we have become friends with over the years.  One thing is certain, the expat life is full of ups and downs.  It seems that by the time you have gotten to know someone, they are already uprooting to someplace else.