Szarkaláb bisztró

Just a 10-minute walk from the center of Mád, you will find this charming little spot: Szarkaláb Bisztró. It is in a stone house with blue shuttered windows, matching blue café tables and chairs, and wicker furniture on the terrace. The indoor space is tiny, but the garden can comfortably seat 30-40 people. It feels like a little slice of Provence, with a vineyard view that makes you want to linger a while. In a setting this idyllic, the big question is always: does the owner settle for the pretty backdrop and play it safe with the menu? At Szarkaláb, the answer is a clear no. The kitchen is surprisingly ambitious, and the hosts are incredibly warm and down-to-earth, doing their work with real care. The chef cooks with bold, memorable flavours, using well-chosen seasonal ingredients. One standout dish was the “pork loin carpaccio with wild garlic, smoked trout, and radish relish.” The pork was paper-thin yet juicy, and the finely chopped marinated trout and fresh veggies acted like a zesty, refreshing topping with playful textures to match. The asparagus risotto was enriched with marinated wild mushrooms. For dessert, the Rákóczi túrós was a knockout: soft and creamy in the center, with a crispy topping, juicy preserved apricots, and a spoonful of excellent homemade apricot jam, beautifully balanced in flavour and texture. Naturally, the wines are house selections, coming from the family’s own Szarka Winery, and the list is thoughtful and well put together. This is what honest, energetic bistro cooking looks like – Szarkaláb is one of the best places to eat in the Tokaj region.