The city of Budapest has a huge wealth of grand architecture, with one of the most prominent buildings being St. Stephen Basilica. This Roman Catholic Basilica is one of the most significant attractions in Budapest and was great...it was almost only a 10-minute walk from Warbucks' flat. While, heavens know, I'm far from church going or religious, and quite frankly, I was stunned the church stood after having my person entered it...but I do know I love the architecture and the interiors of churches. The basilica is the most sacred church in all of Hungary and contains it's most revered relic: the mummified right hand of the church's patron, King St Stephen...and wrapped in a ruby and pearl bracelet. Hmmmmmm. It was built over a half century. I found the Basilica to be extremely beautiful; from the bell towers at over 415 feet, and the 300ft striking dome, to the elegant and lavishly decorated interior. While not as impressive St Paul's in London or even St. Peter's in Rome, it still carries an air of importance, grandeur and significance. I felt so small in it. But the dome...it is stunning, and one can even walk around the dome on the outside, while the interior of it has some beautiful artwork, and windows to allow sunlight to pour in. We enjoyed a nice bell ringing concert one day which was neat to hear.
But worry not....The Mistress found a lovely little respite to spend time in. I do believe Warbucks and I were in just about every night for cock-a-tails. The place was Muzsa and located in the hotel lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel. And it was love at first sight for moi. For you see it is an Art Nouveau craft cocktail bar...with a colorful cast of characters, exciting blend of Asian and Hungarian cuisines, and an elegant, yet playful atmosphere. Breathaking, I dare say. I love hole in the wall pubs and dumps... just as much as a swanky places. Warbucks is a fixture here, and he knew I'd love it. Great live music too. I also may have developed, just a wee, tad, smidgen, but very healthy and flirtatious, small infatuation with one of the bartends. He did join us for drinks one night when he got off....I mean when he was off one night. This place may have had the best bar keeping techniques, and old-world bar keeping skills, not to mention some of the best drinks, nice and neat see... and most creative, of any bar I'd been in...and trust me, I have been IN A LOT OF THEM.
Tasty! Canaima Gin, Pisco, Almond, Saffron, with passion fruit juice.
The handsome, sexy and subject of my infatuation- Danil
One of my daily drinks...Their iconic drink...an artful blend of dark rum, gin, pineapple and coconut water and seasoned with poppy seeds and Sichuan. This scarlet muse seduced me many a night. Mind altering, kids Muzsa also has an excellent afternoon tea we partook of twice. I could get used to living like this.
Ahhhhhhhhhh......I'm ready to get down on my knees. And pray.
PS- Danil...I'm back and don't forget to email me and stay in touch. I still have your black briefs.
I know you hadn't traveled in some time due to the pandemic...but damn you did a nice job catching up. I don't know which I liked better? The church or Muzsa?!?!? SWWWWWanky!!! If I ever go bar hopping, I need you along with me.
ReplyDeleteThese days it's so hard to find a nice comfy bar that it feels like home. But when I do I can spend time in it and close it down every night. This was one of those places.
DeleteSounds like you found your own heavenly angel in the bar!
ReplyDeleteOf all the bars and gin joints in the world, he had to work in mine, see.
DeleteGreat views inside and out you got! It was one of my favorite spots while I was there. Worth it though, i audibly gasped several times, beautiful inside. Muzsa looks amazing. I wished I had gone now. It was recommended to us, not sure why we didn't go.
ReplyDeleteI too love church and basilica architecture. And St Stephen's looks right up there with some of the greats. I bet the stained-glass windows were stunning? The sheer size of places like this blow the mind don't they. And a mummified hand?!?!?! You had a fantastic experience and it allowed you to have some peaceful time in amazing surroundings.
ReplyDeleteNow those cocktails and you're bartend?!?!? I always said you had good taste my boy.
St Stephen's....Beautiful inside and out. I didn't have time while there to see it You got a great eye for taking pictures. But that bar took my breath away. And those beverages look amazing. Wait, do you seriously have his black briefs?!?!?! Just what in hell were you two up too down there?
ReplyDeleteMagpie, since you're much closer than I you should return for another visit.
DeleteMonumental, majestic, masterful. Magical, tasty cocktails.
ReplyDeleteI really need to travel more.
In Three Words is on Friday Tim!!!!
DeleteIt's all stunning. So elegant. I'd love an evening or two in there.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you've washed the black briefs..............
Christina, I certainly could see you and I sitting there over several cocktails sharing tails. Isn't that a nice thought? My lips are sealed on the briefs.
DeleteThat bar! That would become my home away from home. Great photos. Would have liked one of the black briefs... and Danil out of them.
ReplyDeletePaul Mitchell I was in heaven in this place. And I'm serious they had the best tasting cocktails I have ever had. It was evident that they only hire people with extreme Talent and well knowledge of bartending. And it showed. I tried to make it my home away from home but at the end of the night they made everybody leave anyhow. And yes Danil. It wouldn't be a vacation if I didn't have one flirtatious infatuation would it?
DeleteI could look at Danil all day! What a gorgeous smile!!
ReplyDeleteSx
I, on the other hand, would gladly get on my knees to pray in front of him!
DeleteScarlett, Just One Look and smile from him and I swear my clothes fell right off. He gives me the tinglies just like our Mr Devine!
DeleteVery nice.
ReplyDeleteReligious art is always stunning. And that bar! Very classy and very well appointed. The bartender is also very nice. Those pants fit just right. Bet you enjoyed those cocktails!
XOXO
I can't say again how nice it was to get away abroad again. The only drawback is it really opens your eyes to all the bullshit that goes on here. Yes he had a few things that were very tight fitting!
DeleteInteresting. For a second I was wondering why the church would have have that glamorous chandelier.
ReplyDeleteChandelier! Dear, I had earrings that size.
DeleteAlways read the fine print! A spectacular place, hopefully on the list to see in the next few years.
ReplyDeleteOn your knees and "ready to pray!" Is that what you're calling it now? 😁 Ah-hahahahahaha. You sure know how to couch a phrase. Also, it was *very* kind of him to loan you his black briefs. You know, so you'd have something to wear on laundry day. 😉😉
ReplyDeleteI haven't a clue as to how they ended up with me.
DeleteYou sure live an exciting life!
ReplyDeleteThat's the one thing about traveling. I'm afraid if I found a place like this, I'd start thinking about moving there.
ReplyDeleteWho says I haven't? The more I travel, the more it's opening my eyes to shit in this country. Where should I start???
DeleteI'm not religious, and haven't been to church in years but I agree I Hope Church architecture. With the exception of a few churches in the US, we have nothing to compares to this here.
ReplyDeleteAnd now all I want to do is hang out with you in that bar .. man is that swanky!
Sod god - but I've seen some impressive architecture in churches and cathedrals over the years!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of genuflection, I'll have a Sunglow (apparently what that first, gin-based, recipe is called according to Muzsa's website) - with Danil's cock as a stirrer. Jx
I didn't have a bad drink in the place!!!! They were all like nectar from the Gods. And I think behind the scenes, Danil may have stirred my cocktail with his cock? I was hoping for a glory hole actually under the bar, so all he had to do was stand there while making drinks.
DeleteI confess, Father, I'm a little disappointed because I thought the cock-a-tails were being served in the church. That would be a reason for attendance at every service. I like the looks of Danil, too. Oh, honey.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Unfortunately the only way to drink in church would be to guzzle the communion wine.
Deletewhich doesn't taste all that great and at some places they're so strict they serve grape juice
DeleteTundra Bunny here...
ReplyDeleteLOVE those pomegranate glasses, though they look like they'd be tricky to drink from without a straw... Were the huge leafy glass chandelier-type installations done by Dale Chihuly?
I don't think it was Dale Chihuly...much too elegant and monotone for his work. Although who knows. No expense sparred. The dinnerware was all Herend Porcelain, the drinkware was all hand-cut Varga Crystal. But Warbucks thinks the chandelier was design by the Grünbergers, a Budapest family. But talking of Dale Chihuly...when I live in Bucks County I use to go to the Parx Casino, occasionally to play the slots see, and the casino must have had 30 enormous Chihuly chandeliers.
DeleteI haven't found a gin drink I like. But lovely photos of the church.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe.
I bet if I made you one of mine, you'd like it!
DeleteDanil would have been the object of my infatuation as well!
ReplyDeleteAnd his accent further made my attraction stronger.
Deletesoooooooo is this danil the new happy hour bartender at the Casa du Borghese? and does he serve nude?
ReplyDeleteImpressive on all counts! The church and the bar! The church I read somewhere is rather new by European standards, completed in 1905 after 56 years of construction.
ReplyDeleteThe bald guy in the white suit isn't Warbucks, is he?
ReplyDeleteThat bar needs a drag queen!!!
ReplyDeleteYou wasted all those other posts trying to make us fall in love with Budapest when you could have just posted THIS and sealed the deal. No far is too far to travel for a good cock-a-tail.
ReplyDeleteOh boy what a Heavenly City. This is my second foray into Eastern Europe.. and I feel like I'm definitely suited more for Eastern Europe than Western.
Delete