When you meet someone for the first time in Budapest, you have to choose the premises carefully. There is an obvious and a less such criterion you should meet. If you can, don't meet a stranger outdoors. You should find a place where it is not possible to miss him/her. And take it into consideration that the person is likely to be late. And agree in a sign of identification. A "Pesti Est", the free cult listings magazine can be a good idea. It is free and available everywhere. Or an issue of "Le Monde".

Ráth György Museum (VI. Városligeti fasor 12.)

One of the nicest and least attended small museums in the rich supply of the Budapest scene. The name refers to the original owner of the villa (1828-1905), the one-time director of the Museum of Applied Arts, who left this villa and his Oriental collection to the public in his will. (Not on Monday.)

KogArt House, for the opening of an exhibition, and followed with a drink in the elegant restaurant

A fine, imposing arts exhibition centre opened in 2004. The centre's highly polished presentations are geared for those in the business elite who tastes are on the conservative side. Exclusive restaurant with old pictures on the walls on the ground floor. Added value: you can demonstrate that you are both knowledgeable in the art and the wine world... (VI. Andrássy út 112. www.kogart.hu)

KogArt House, for the opening of an exhibition, and followed with a drink in the elegant restaurant

A fine, imposing arts exhibition centre opened in 2004. The centre's highly polished presentations are geared for those in the business elite who tastes are on the conservative side. Exclusive restaurant with old pictures on the walls on the ground floor. Added value: you can demonstrate that you are both knowledgeable in the art and the wine world... (VI. Andrássy út 112. www.kogart.hu)

From the top of Hegyalja út (Gellért Hill), toward Pest

The oversize hotels in the Pest riverbank ruined cityscape for centuries. You can "remove them", if you take a picture while descending from Gellért hill. Then the hotels are just the right size, and Basilica can flaunt its majestic dome, not dwarved by its immediate neighbourhood.

A Column in Museum Gardens (VIII. Múzeum kert)

To the left of the National Museum, very near the building, there is a slender column, now encircled by bushes. That was the surprising present from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who visited Hungarian regent Miklós Horthy. The column is from the Forum Romanum... There were so many there. Nobody missed that single, inconspicuous one.

Bambi Pastry Shop. (1961. III. Frankel Leó út 2-4..) Named after the little animal from the woods, it miraculously survived the successive modernisation waves. It still has its regulars. A highly authentic place.

A Column in Museum Gardens (VIII. Múzeum kert)

To the left of the National Museum, very near the building, there is a slender column, now encircled by bushes. That was the surprising present from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who visited Hungarian regent Miklós Horthy. The column is from the Forum Romanum... There were so many there. Nobody missed that single, inconspicuous one.

Hotel Gresham Palace Four Seasons - The Café In a buildingnamed after the founder of the London Exchange, (see his portrait on the middle of the façade, in gold), the café has a phenomenal riverfront view. Possibly the glitziest hotel between Vienna and San Francisco. (V. Roosevelt tér 5., www.greshampalace.com)