I WAS having a slight difficulty with ordering the puddings as we neared the end of an entertaining evening at the Hungarian Goulash restaurant.
It was not the choice of dishes on offer which was making me concentrate hard, but the fact that it had turned into an impromptu language class.
Owner Zoltan Dragan was hovering at my elbow, giving me helpful linguistic tips as I struggled. I could have just pointed or called out the number against the item, I suppose, but I thought I would do it properly and try to pronounce the Hungarian names for each pudding.
The double “gg” in a Meggyes Piskota proved to be a tricky little tongue-teaser, as was the “cs” sound in a Turos Palcsinta, but the patient and charming Zoltan guided me through this little minefield.
He then swivelled around to a table behind us, where two Spanish women were sitting, to brush up on his own Spanish-speaking skills, of which he seemed quite proud, and his guests were happy to oblige.
I could hear Zoltan trying to explain in Spanish that his was the only Hungarian restaurant in Scotland.
This was surreal. It was turning into something similar to a night at a part-time language class at Aberdeen College, but with very good Hungarian cuisine thrown in as well.
The Goulash restaurant sits at the end of Adelphi, that unusual little hideaway of a lane which appears after you walk through an archway off Union Street, in the heart of Aberdeen.
As you walk into the Goulash, it looks like an old-fashioned front room in a private house, with a stone floor and fireplace to one side. Maybe it was done in a certain Hungarian style, I’m not sure. The room leads into the kitchen, half of which can be seen from the dining-room.
It is a cosy, intimate setting with a handful of tables and seats for about 20 people. Traditional eastern European violin recordings helped with the authentic atmosphere, as did the green and red reminders here and there from the Hungarian national flag.
Zoltan and his charming wife, Rylla, were very welcoming and kept an attentive eye on the tables.
It was early on a Saturday evening and we were alone at first, but it filled up quickly. Given the size of the place, this does not take long. It is wise to book in advance as the Goulash appeared to be very popular during our visit.
A quick look at the menu and we could see a maze of Hungarian names, but quite clear explanations in English beneath each one.
For starters, I chose Hortobagy Palacsinta – minced chicken with herbs and spices in a delicate rolled pancake covered in paprika and cream sauce. Vadas meatballs were chosen by my wife. This consisted of two large crispy-coated meat balls of minced wild boar and venison with a wild berry sauce. These both proved to be very good appetisers – tasty but not too heavy.
Zoltan and Rylla busied themselves here and there and were quick to explain and help with the menu. Zoltan enjoys chatting with his patrons and is proud of the fact that his is the only Hungarian restaurant in Scotland. He believes the only other one in Britain is in London’s Soho.
For mains, my wife chose traditional goulash (what else?) or Porkolt, as it is known. This offered an accompaniment of pasta or something of your own choice. She went for rice. The tender and juicy slices of rump steak came with a delicious paprika sauce with herbs and spices.
I went for Lecsos Szuzermek – pan-fried pork medallions in a tomato and pepper sauce with herbs and spices on a bed of saute potatoes. This was also a nice, traditionally rustic dish. We chose a sweet and sour shredded white cabbage salad to go with it, and this was excellent. It was so nice we wanted to order another, but had unfortunately finished the meal before Zoltan or Rylla became free from their duties at other tables and in the kitchen.
My wife had a couple of glasses of a pleasant Merlot rose from the extensive wine list while I went for Czech lager.
For pudding, my wife chose home-made sponge with cherries and vanilla custard, while I had a sweet lemon and vanilla-flavoured cheese pancake with raisins and vanilla creme. Both were light, tasty treats which did not make us feel weighed down at the end of our meal.
Our bill came to £44, which I thought was very reasonable. Goulash is a nice, friendly little place where the owners encourage you to leave formality at the door when you arrive.
I noticed something odd with the puddings. My wife’s came first, so I watched as she ate. My dish came after she had almost finished, so she then helped me eat mine. Was that some traditional Hungarian trick dreamed up so that men have to share their puddings with their women? I should have checked with Zoltan.
Goulash Restaurant, 17 Adelphi, Aberdeen. Phone 01224 210530. Open for dinner from 7pm; for lunch from 1pm on Saturday, and closed Sunday. Visit www.goulash.webeden.co.uk