If you decide to visit Budapest, let me know and we'll go out if I'm in town.
I consider the city quite inexpensive for the most part. Axel's experience differs most likely because the TES show hotel and the surrounding establishments are in a tourist trap area of the city (even though it's a good hotel with a unique vibe). Buddha Bar is a 5-star international chain and the prices reflect that.
The fine dining, bar and club scene of Budapest has undergone a rapid and extensive development in the past 5-6 years. There's quite a few excellent restaurants, ruin pubs, bars, lounges and clubs in the city.
Taxis are now easy to figure out since all taxi companies operate at the same rates, similar to NYC, Miami, etc. (the new law went into effect right around the time TES took place). As long as you get an official cab you're fine.
Girls? There's no shortage of them.
