The "Beer Cart" restaurant is a Bucharest institution, and probably the most consistently photographed eatery in town, much

loved for its dramatic traditional interior. A massive, cavernous, vaulted beer hall, heavily covered with original decorative details -- painted floor tiles, fantastic stained glass windows, and walls padded with eye-catching memorabilia marking the restaurant's history since 1879. Adding to the attractiveness of the interior, there's a regular program of evening entertainment. And while it looks the part of a tourist haunt (and has a convoluted menu with English subtitles), the food is enduringly traditional and authentic; amongst the house specialties are a number of pork dishes with either cabbage or potatoes, and there are a range of regional items to choose from, too, so you can easily sup your way around the country. Order the sour tripe soup to start (and ask specifically for homemade bread to accompany this). Follow that up with something meaty, perhaps a platter of assorted grilled sausages (platou cu crnati), with a side order of pickled mushroom salad (salata de ciuperci). Weekdays, ask about the specially priced lunchtime set menu (L22/$9.65/5.95) consisting of a main dish accompanied by soup, salad, and dessert.