A Taste of Hungary

By Cameron Ross

Café Marika is located on J Street and offers a taste of Hungarian cuisine in a sublime setting. The midtown parking was decent as we found a space that was right near the entrance. The blue awning is nothing special and the old glass windows with curtains across the bottom half speak vintage diner.

As we walked in, we approached the stools at the bar and a man behind the counter said: “Why don’t you take a table.” His words were rude and stern but we sat at a cramped table in the corner. There were three chairs at each table but only two dining settings, which gave the impression that they weren’t very concerned about specific details of appearance.

The restaurant is clean and has a creative interior. Blue carpets contrast well with the white and cream colored striped wallpaper. Pictures of random Hungarian culture are scattered on the walls. On a shelf above the bar sits a few six-pack bottles of what is assumedly Hungarian beer. The lighting is dim in the afternoon because they only use faint bulbs in their chandeliers and the window only gives enough natural light in the morning when the sun is low.

The entrance from the bar to the kitchen has a miniature roof overhanging the edge of the room with an ornate shingle roof. After sitting for about five minutes the server brought us a menu for the third member in our party and took our drink order. The water and iced tea taste crisp and fresh. The cups are unique, decorated with colorful designs.

Classical symphony music plays at a subtle level so conversation is easy but the tables are so close together you can hear other conversations. The server has ample knowledge of the small menu and can answer any question. The food is prepared in about ten minutes and before it is delivered you are served bread and butter.

My entrée consisted of turkey with mushrooms and spetzels (small dumpling-like pasta), covered in paprika sauce. They served a side of purple cabbage with each dish, which is sweet and crunchy. The food was hearty and flavorful but very heavy. They do not serve food hot enough, which appears to be a result of the server and cook not communicating. The staff only consists of two workers; of course our time there was from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., 3 p.m. being closing time.

You can count on adequate sized portions of food at Café Marika. The server will not offer to refill your drinks and does not seem to show any urgency in making your time there enjoyable. Overall, the service is not friendly and the older customers are treated with a smile while the younger customers are practically discriminated against.

Temperature is a problem and it is not encouraging when an air conditioner is in plain sight behind the bar. The air conditioner is clean and looks brand new. For a restaurant to be uncomfortably warm in late October, someone has to be neglecting duties. It really seemed that the restaurant provides barely what is necessary to make the experience satisfactory.

When you are finished you must take your tab and cash, which is the only form of payment accepted, to the bar counter and wait for a server to take your money. Even if you tip 20 per cent or more, like I did, they will still give you a nonchalant parting response.

Once you leave the restaurant you will feel full and nourished, perhaps like you have over eaten. The food sits heavy in your stomach because of all the heavy and thick ingredients. Overall, the experience is moderately satisfactory because of the decent flavor of the food and large portions. The service and environment are not very enjoyable because even though the cultural decorations are intriguing it is hot and somewhat dim.