The Central Café reopens. Old values, renewed but modern interior, real café atmosphere! Unmissable experience! One of our country's legprominence is now open to the public again! The Eventrend Group has taken over the operation of the second literary café in Budapest.
Eventrend Group and Özyer Group signed the contract in a ceremony at Matild Palace. Commenting on the deal, Emre Pasli, a leading Turkish businessman, said: “I am handing over the keys to Central to a team with professional knowledge, 30 years of experience and commitment not only in gastronomy, but especially in running historic cafés. I believe that we could not have found a better partner in Hungary today.”
Café traditions are reviving
A Central Café will open its doors to the public in the week of 11 April. Initially it will only run four days a week, from Thursday to Sunday. It's a big deal, as the Hungarian café culture, the centre of bourgeois tradition and literary life, in its old splendour, but with a modern approach, it is an outstanding feature of Budapest life. In creating the Central experience, in recreating a lot of professionals participated, Ildikó Hergenrőder interior designer, Zsolt Meskó theatre director, Péter Tihanyi creative strategy manager, and the internal team: managing director Norbert Mancza, chef Dániel Juhász, and founding partners Gábor Nagy, Zoltán Kőrössy. The result is a magnificent space.
The design has been divided into four large spaces to meet all needs. The terrace is partly contemporary, with lots of greenery, classic French grand café terrace with small tables, rattan chairs, comfortable seating, sofas. Budapest has been gifted with one of the most attractive café terraces in the city centre.
To the left of the entrance is the bar and café area, originally called the WEEK, which is more of a popular area for evening diners. The central feature is the semi-circular, bubbly, foam-focused bar, surrounded by raised tables and chairs.
The large café ship on the right is historically known as the NYUGAT, this area caters for daytime visitors, a true classic, homewith an ambience that makes you feel. Here the greats of Hungarian literature, Endre Ady, Dezső Kosztolányi, Frigyes Karinthy, Ferenc Molnár, Jenő Heltai, Mihály Babits, wrote their works.The gallery is not yet open, but it is mainly suitable for groups and events.
Some changes to the interior
A number of changes have been made, which have benefited the café. Keeping the traditions, yet they have created an interior that meets today's requirements. The restoration of the entrance is an experience in itself, giving you the feeling of a „grand café” from the moment you enter. The entire floor has been renovated and custom-designed partitions have been added. A large communal circular sofa and matching coffee tables provide comfort for those who come in primarily for informal conversations. Eclectic and Art Nouveau styling is the dominant mood of the interior. The café also features the corresponding object culture, including typewriters, books, writing utensils, classic café marble tables and period thonet chairs. The interior has been transformed to create a light atmosphere, making the café much brighter and more welcoming.
The concept also got a facelift
The main contemporary messages of the Central Café's ethos are to create a meeting of French and Hungarian café culture, and to create a symbiosis between progressiveness/modernity and classical values. Naturally, the creation of a „grand café” feeling was the main objective, so two pianos were added to the café. A champagne bar has been created to meet contemporary expectations and you can watch the drinks being made in the open coffee kitchen. The concept of a literary menu and a literary chef - even reciting our favourite poems and quotes - is a clever touch.
Gastronomy and catering
Of course, the guest experience is not only about the interior design, but also about the professional hospitality. In addition to Norbert Mancza, the creative executive chef Dániel Juhász is responsible for the kitchen. They are assisted by chef Balázs Bán and chef Máté Juhász, who take turns to run the kitchen at the Central. One of the most important members of the team is Judit Takács, the master pastry chef, who will be thanked for the fantastic desserts.
The menu is the light bistro cuisine typical of the large cafés of Paris and Budapest, with progressive, unique dishes in a „comfortfood” style. This includes a very focused breakfast and brunch menu with unique pastries, classic and special egg dishes. The range allows you to find your own style at any time of the day, for any occasion or event. Be it a meeting with friends or business, a Sunday family lunch or a Friday-Saturday piano bar dinner. And on the dessert front, you'll find the great classics, but also fantastic, heavenly, beautifully crafted modern desserts.
The Central Café serves a wide range of people
In fact, thanks to the reopening and the rethought concept, Central is for everyone. As in the past, now old, young, Hungarian, foreign, anyone can feel at home within its ancient walls. Although elegantly modern, they have created a completely fuss-free environment. Just like in our living room, everyone can feel at home in the large space of the Central. The well-separated layout makes it suitable for events, but also for business meetings. The gallery will be used as a separate room for separate events.#
Author: by Tamás Budafoki
Source/ Photo : Eventrend Group
