So we were offline for the last couple of days, and if you are in Budapest, the reason for our absence shouldn't be too hard to figure out: it's freezing out there, and the bad weather has left us with the nasty cold/pre-season flu that has felled half of the capital. But instead of just sulking about how much it sucks to be cold and sick, we're instead going to think positive thoughts about some of our favorite hearty, winter-style foods available in Budapest, including a few explosive combo platters offered by our dear friends the Germans and their local partners.

First up is the vegyes kolbásztál (mixed sausage plate) that is a staple on the menu at the Paulaner Brauhaus over at the MOM Park shopping mall.

While this comprehensive tour of the Paulaner's sausage factory is advertised as két személyre (for two people) every time we've had it we leave wondering what these people mean by "people." What you get for your Ft 2,999 (€11.50) is a veritable "best of the wurst," including főtt bajor fehérkolbász (soft white Bavarian), nürnbergi sültkolbász (little Nuremburg numbers) and several other wonderfully non-dietetic tube-shaped delights. Throw in an order of their excellent libatepertő lilahagymával (goose cracklings with red onions) and that cold gripping your bones will be gone for at least a week. Danke schön!