Food quality: 6/10, service: 6/10, value for money: 3/10. Would I return or recommend it to others? The answer is no.
They call it magic, but it’s just a series of cheap tricks – this is how I would describe my visit to the RUMOR restaurant led by Jenő Rácz. It started all shiny, then came the twist: the bar feeling (more like dangling legs towards the end), and the champagne presented as a “gift,” only to appear on the bill at 16,900 HUF/dl – surprise, a little “extra” of 33,800 HUF!
Later, an 8.5 euro retail wine appeared, priced at 2,950 HUF/dl, whose mood-breaking “screw cap” opening even shattered the illusion of a Michelin-starred restaurant. At dinner, we chose a more expensive menu, where the dishes were eye-pleasing - sometimes thimble-sized - but we didn’t find them coherent: Asian, Indian, Hungarian dishes arrived one after another without a concept. The burnt cauliflower and the foie gras were good but not outstanding.
Sitting at the high counter, the waiters struggled to place the dishes – not exactly an elegant sight. Moreover, the staff didn’t have a uniform dress code, which further disturbed the environment’s unity and professionalism. And here’s our ringmaster, the Rolex, I mean the Hublot ambassador – He’s the one who flatters the gold-watch-wearing, pot-bellied entrepreneurs and their lip-augmented companions. His attentiveness has a particular “selectiveness”: only the brightest shine gets the necessary attention. Quite a special circus where the clown doesn’t entertain but shines in the light of gold watches.
At the end of the evening, the bill was 204,000 HUF for two, excluding wine pairings. It’s worth knowing that it’s better to eat before dinner because otherwise, the guest might stay hungry. I felt it was a complete rip-off, a poorly put together show with hidden costs. Instead, I would recommend the SALT restaurant, where we paid about 140,000 HUF for 15 items with a full wine pairing, more intimate service, and a much better atmosphere. After RUMOR, one would rightfully knock at the ticket office for their money back – but this is not a circus, just a restaurant that sadly does not live up to its reputation.