Living the dream in Hungarian wine country: Gödöllő Palace, Queen Elizabeth Restaurant, Gala Dinner and more

After a wonderful day in Budapest, next day we were off to Gödöllő Palace, just 28 km from Budapest. Our day would include visiting Gödöllő Palace, lunch at Queen Elizabeth Restaurant, and then returning to Budapest for a Gala Dinner and more.

Danube River, Budapest  © Spaswinefood

Visiting Gödöllő Palace during 2024 FICB (Federation International of Wine Brotherhoods) International Wine Tasting and Rating Challenge was part of our main program held in Budapest, May 23-26, 2024. Budapest with its stunning architecture, captivating boulevards, UNESCO World heritage sites, and its enticing wine and food scene, is amazing. 

Gödöllő Palace © Spaswinefood

Gödöllő Palace, Sisi's favorite Palace in Hungary

After the second session of the Individual Blind Tasting at the hotel, we left for Gödöllő Palace. The palace was the symbol of independent Hungarian statehood, and, as a residential center it had a political significance of its own. Our Gödöllő visit took us to Sisi's Favorite Palace in Hungary. The Gödöllő Palace is one of the most important, largest monuments of Hungarian baroque palace architecture. We traveled back in time to see its beautiful rooms, royal suites, theatre, chapel, gardens, and park

Gödöllő Palace © Spaswinefood

Elisabeth (24 December,1837–10 September,1898), nicknamed Sisi or Sissi, became Queen of Hungary when she married Emperor Franz Joseph I on 24 April, 1854. Queen Elisabeth loved staying in Gödöllő. The palace, was given as Coronation gift to Elizabeth and Francis Joseph I, on 11 May 1867. Francis Joseph I was obliged by his coronation oath, taken in 1867, to spend regular periods of time in Hungary. To this end, the Hungarian government wished to please the royal couple by placing at their disposal residences. Of these, however, only the plan for Gödöllő came to fruition. Count Antal Grassalkovich I (1694–1771), one of the most notable aristocrats of the 18th century, began its construction, the largest Baroque palace in Hungary, around 1735. After his family died out it had several owners before being bought by the Hungarian government in 1867. Following a quick reconstruction the Palace and the park were placed at the disposal of Francis Joseph and Elisabeth as a coronation gift.

While at the palace we listen to actress play Sisi, and welcome us to the palace.

Welcome to Gödöllő Palace © Spaswinefood

Next, we toured the palace where we were given an historical overview. We also viewed the courtyard.

Gödöllő Palace Courtyard© Spaswinefood

Viewing Gödöllő Palace Courtyard © Spaswinefood

I enjoyed hearing the historical highlights during our palace tour.

After the palace visit we were off to lunch nearby at the Queen Elizabeth Restaurant.

Queen Elizabeth Restaurant © Spaswinefood

The restaurant offers local cuisine with good service. The setting was perfect because its interior decor commemorates Elizabeth of Hungary.

Lunch, Queen Elizabeth Restaurant © Spaswinefood

During lunch at Queen Elisabeth Restaurant it was time to do our Fourth Collective Wine rating.

Collective Wine Rating © Spaswinefood

Lunch with wines was a great way to do a review of the wines.

Wine Time © Spaswinefood

The wines showcased well wines from France, Hungary and Slovenia.

The Wines © Spaswinefood

The wine list in this case included the following wines:

Wines with Description © Spaswinefood

My veggie meal option was so very good.

Vegetarian Menu, Queen Elizabeth Restaurant © Spaswinefood

One of the plates served was a grilled goat cheese salad with sweet potato fries.

Food Moments, Queen Elizabeth Restaurant © Spaswinefood

After lunch we returned to our hotel in Budapest for our Gala Dinner. There was some time for leisure, shopping, or a stroll before the Gala Dinner.

Gala Dinner 

The Gala Dinner was our opportunity to celebrate the closure of our FICB gathering in Budapest.

Celebrating before Gala Dinner © Spaswinefood

It was a great evening with wine, food and friends.

Gala Dinner © Spaswinefood

Gala Dinner © Spaswinefood

That evening during the Gala Dinner we did the Fifth Collective Wine Rating. Later the results from the two wine tasting events (Collective Wine Rating, and Blind tastings) were shared at the Award Ceremony. 

Time to Say Goodbye © Spaswinefood

The Awards © Spaswinefood

The Awards © Spaswinefood

After dinner and the award ceremony there was also an opportunity for dancing, and a party.

Goodbye to Budapest for Now

Next day, after a sparkling wine breakfast, we were off to Tokaj. While it is hard to leave Budapest I look forward to future visits.

Tables Ready © Spaswinefood

The sparkling wines were ready.

Let the Morning Sparkle © Spaswinefood

Sparkling Rosé © Spaswinefood

Sparkling Furmint © Spaswinefood

Ready for Breakfast © Spaswinefood

Before breakfast I took in views from the balcony of our hotel.

Early Morning, Budapest © Spaswinefood

Early Morning Before the Traffic, Budapest © Spaswinefood

After breakfast we were on our way from Budapest to Tokaj for an extended program in Hungary. We stopped in Eger along the way to Tokaj (I have written articles on those Tokaj dream experiences).

Remembering 2024 FICB, Budapest © Spaswinefood

It so much fun and delight to explore in/around Budapest during the 2024 FICB International Wine Tasting and Rating Challenge (see earlier article). Returning to Hungary certainly brought back memories of earlier visits to Budapest. Now, is the time to explore Hungarian Wines! I invite you to join me in my wine adventures in Hungary at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood  on  Twitter and Facebook. 

CHEERS!

Sharon

May 2024

Budapest, Hungary

© Spaswinefood

Buda Castle © Spaswinefood

Széchenyi Chain Bridge © Spaswinefood

Széchenyi Chain Bridge © Spaswinefood

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An Earlier Visit to Budapest 

If the magical city of Budapest is in your travel plans then a food and wine experience at the Tasting Table is an absolute must. For this #winelover whenever I travel I put on my spaswinefood lens and start planning. Budapest is absolutely a perfect place for doing just that. In fact one of the best places to begin an Hungarian wine affair is at the Tasting Table Budapest. 

Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

Tasting Wine at the Tasting Table Budapest

When Taste Hungary decided on a Budapest location for their Tasting Table they chose to restore an old brick cellar in a 19th century palace in the Palace District. Here they now offer a number of options to experience Hungarian food and wine. One of the options I tried was a wine tasting. During the wine tasting five wines were paired with local cheeses and meats. The evening I dropped by I joined four visitors from the UK. Given the atmosphere at the Tasting Table is so welcoming I quickly felt at home as a single traveler. I must admit that I also lucked out when I did the tasting with such a friendly group.

Tasting Hungarian Wines © Spaswinefood

Budapest's Tasting Table is a #Winelover's Dream

The staff at the Tasting Table are knowledgeable about the wines and bring a special passion to serving wine. We were most fortunate to be introduced to the wines by Tamás.

Wine Tasting, Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

That evening Tamás introduced introduced us to five Hungarian wines.

Intro to Hungarian Wines, Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

We tasted the following five wines:

1.  Kreinbacher Winery, Brut Classic Sparkling NV

 Kreinbacher Winery, Brut Classic Sparkling NV © Spaswinefood

2. Szászi Winery, Keknyelu 2016

Szászi Winery, Keknyelu 2016 © Spaswinefood

3. Jackfall Winery, Grand DHC Villány 2019

Jackfall Winery, Grand DHC Villány 2019 © Spaswinefood

4. Posta Winery, Kadarka 2015

Posta Winery, Kadarka 2015 © Spaswinefood

5. Royal Tokaji Winery, 5 Puttonyos Aszú 2009

Royal Tokaji Winery, 5 Puttonyos Aszú 2009 © Spaswinefood

Yes, it was exciting lineup of Hungarian wines (a sparkling wine, dry white wine, two red wines and a sweet wine).

Wine Tasting, Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

Heavenly Tokaji Aszú © Spaswinefood

The sparkling wine (Kreinbacher Winery, Brut Classic Sparkling NV), dry white (Szászi Winery, Keknyelu 2016) and Tokaji Aszú (Royal Tokaji Winery, 5 Puttonyos Aszú 2009) are three different styles of Hungarian wines made with the Furmint grape variety.

Besides while we tasted these wines, we each had the most fantastic deli platter to sample.

Deli Platter, Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

Cheese Only Deli Platter, Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

At the end of our wonderful evening I said goodbye to my new friends. While at the Tasting Table Budapest some #winelover friends dropped by. Yes, there was a special #winelover magic in the Budapest air. 

#Winelovers, Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

What an fantastic day it was.  Next day I took a food tour offered by Taste Hungary. It was a second opportunity for me to learn more about Hungarian wines. After the food tour we ended up at the Tasting Table. This time I tasted three more Hungarian wines.

Return to the Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

While in Budapest I stayed nearby at Casati Budapest Hotel. This hotel is about a 15 minute walk from the Tasting Table. The Tasting Table Budapest is the perfect place to begin an Hungarian wine affair. I am so delighted to have began my recent #budapesttobucharest Spaswinefood adventure here. I invite you to join me in my travels in Hungary and elsewhere.

Sharon

Budapest, Hungary

November 2017

© Spaswinefood

Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

Menu Services, Tasting Table Budapest © Spaswinefood

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