Allegro ristorante & bar

xAt the beginning of Bartók Béla Road, cafés, ice cream shops, bars, restaurants, and galleries line up one after the other. Allegro represents Italian cuisine here, but not in the usual trattoria style – it feels more like dining in someone’s home. The guest area has a cozy living-room vibe with modern decor, but it is clear you are still in a proper restaurant. There is a stylish built-in oven next to the bar, and in summer, the terrace fills up with life. The service is kind, polite, and attentive, and the dishes arrive on colourful, well-presented plates. You can tell the owners care a lot about style in every detail. Alongside the big Italian favourites, the menu features mostly poultry and seafood dishes, made fresh from quality ingredients. Their pizza has a thin, crispy crust, and if you are not into classic combos, you can mix and match from around 25 toppings to create your own. Of the pastas we tried, the carbonara D.O.P. – the charcoal-burner’s spaghetti – is made following an authentic recipe and clearly prepared à la minute. The rich, creamy sauce coats the high-quality homemade pasta, and the tiny bacons crisps are there in just the right amount. Allegro proves with one meaty main that it is worth stepping outside the pizza-pasta comfort zone. The duck ragout with red wine and wild mushrooms has a deep, intense flavour, made from shredded duck meat. It is served with classic Italian polenta, soft and creamy, and it works beautifully. The wine list includes a solid selection of Italian reds, and the finishing espresso is also truly Italian – strong, fragrant, and perfect for one big sip. A little slice of Italy on Bartók, whether you are just grabbing a pizza or sitting down for a relaxed lunch or dinner.