Piglet`s succulent starter

The new restaurant Porcellino Grasso, the name of which translates as Fat Piglet, did not beat around the bush at its recent official inauguration, literally delivering on its succulent name.

On a table abundant with food, and strategically placed close to the entrance, the head of a roasted piglet greeted guests, who, because of, or perhaps in spite of, this literal display, quickly queued up to devour the generous offerings.

The opulent feast at the new Rozsadomb eatery made sure neither meat- nor vegetarian-eaters felt left out, however.

Beside slices of tender and juicy piglet and genuine Italian sausages and hams, meatless Mediterranean antipasti were on offer, including plump sautéed mushrooms, zucchini cooked with capers, rich and juicy aubergines and tender artichokes.

In a different corner, big bowls of green ruccola salad and finely cut vegetables were flanked by giant wheels of parmesan and other Italian cheeses.

Beside the salads, one waiter served generous portions of lasagna, while platters of Margarita and prosciutto pizza, sometimes covered by ruccola leafs, regularly emerged from the wood-burning oven at the back of the main room; they had a light, crisp base and deliciously fresh topping.

According to the long list of pizzas on the menu, the price ranges from Ft1,250 for a regular Margherita to the La tua pizza for Ft2,350, for which you can choose the toppings, many of which are, allegedly, shipped over from Italy.

I also searched for the price of piglet, but, unfortunately, I could not see it offered on the regular menu.

Instead, the meat dishes - ranging from Ft2,350 to Ft4,390 in price - revealed the choice of lamb, duck and a saddle of hare rolled in truffles, among the more common chicken, beef and pork tenderloin.

There is also a satisfactory choice of fish dishes, including some seafood as well, with the cheapest option at Ft2,750 for the lemony salmon with braised spinach.

As guests carried their groaning plates to tables traditionally laid with simple checked table clothes, attentive waiters frequently appeared with fresh pizza: they must have been excellent, to judge by the way my partner wouldn`t let any of these young men pass by without leaving another slice on his plate.

Spacious

Atop a large barrel in the center of the room, besides an ostentatious fountain, Italian wines were served, while glasses of spumante and grappa were offered upon arrival at the restaurant.

The eatery itself has two spacious rooms topped by a large terrace (with its own playground), as well as a playroom in which children can be deposited while parents enjoy their meals.

Desert was creamy mascarpone topped with rich, dark chocolate, a fittingly sumptuous end to an official opening night which - judging by the number of guests, the amount of food consumed, and the contented hum of conversation around the dim-lit restaurant - was a resounding success.

In the future we shall pay Porcellino Grasso another visit to see if it fulfills the promise it made that memorable opening night.



Porcellino Grasso

Buda, District II.

Ady Endre utca 19.

Tel: 886-7880.

Open every day

Noon to midnight

www.porcellino.hu



Quality of food *****

Service *****

Value for money n/a

Atmosphere:****

Andreea Anca 
www.budapestsun.com - Wednesday, September 26, 2007