THE GERLÓCZY CAFÉ PAPER
Afternoon Tea at Gerlóczy
FISH TERRACE - GRASS-HOPP - SATURDAY BOOK STALL - L’AMOUR AT GERLÓCZY
TAMÁS T.NAGY ---->
L’AMOUR ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED FRENCH WORD FOR SEDUCTION. SEDUCTION IS TO ATTRACT, TO ENCHANT, TO INFLUENCE AND TO FASCINATE. I was seduced by the French woman, too. She evoked the myth of the sophisticated and smart French woman, who never puts on weight, who ages beautifully and with grace, who controls others’ mystical private lives with good taste and pride, and who enjoys life to the full without shame or inhibitions. Pleasures come with all shapes and sizes and there’s nothing more appalling for a French woman than uniformed taste, thinking, look. A slightly out-of-place, extravagant detail never goes amiss. Beauty in itself is not enough. Perfection is boring. Proust was right, flawlessly beautiful women should be left to unimaginative men. We’ve never met in person, but I can see a jolie laide clearly with her slightly too high forehead and the gap between her front teeth. I find even the beginning of our liaison dangereux delightful. I have never given way to emotions or ambiguity without having met someone, but I can see from our fist correspondence that she’s learnt men must be loved very much or they’ll be unbearable. A smart woman knows that nobody can satisfy another person’s desires. The law of nature must be humbly accepted: desires go out and flare up again, we have no control over our emotions. Talking about one’s love life is not very tasteful, so I keep the details to myself. I wouldn’t go into details even if it had been me who made the first step. I’m not sure how to initiate these kinds of things, anyway. I hate being rejected, she should be able to make up her mind. In the name of equality, I put her in charge. If all goes well, all she’ll have to do is look good and make dinner. Dinner should be light and sophisticated, stylish and tasteful. A clean shirt is the least I can expect. She goes back to work six months after giving birth. She’s ambitious, she brings up the kid, she’s back in pre-baby shape as soon as possible, and she doesn’t take antidepressants, if you please. It’s OK if she earns more than I do, I really don’t mind. We’ll discuss the rest later. We’re not there yet. This is the flirting period. At the beginning of our relationship, I can make do. Let her be seductive!
Illustration: Péter Flanek
We’ll have tea, if it’s all right with her. I’ve already unwrapped the tea leaves she gave me. I don’t know why she picked Yemaya. Perhaps, because in this form Yemaya is not a goddess but a love potion. In the mystical recipes of the leaves one finds Sigh, Forever Young, Magical Night, Prayer, and Remedy. The latter is recommended for serious pain. If I don’t fancy any of them, I can still have a Farewell Kiss. Her uncertainty is tangible, but I hope she understands a flirt doesn’t mean anything. I have already made up my mind. I want to see her from up close, it’s be magnifique. To immerse myself in the thick of tea leaves without hesitation. I can’t take it anymore. I bring the water to 95 °C and wait a few minutes. The miracle might just happen now.
? GERLÓCZY Guests’Response WHAT IS A GUEST AT GERLÓCZY LIKE? WE ASKED OUR REGULARS, AND WE KEEP ASKING THREE OF THEM FOR EVERY ISSUE, HOPING THAT WE CAN SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF WHAT MAKES A GERLÓCZY GUEST.
ZSUZSANNA DEÁK
RÓBERT KARÁDI
ARIK HERMAN
1. - What is your favourite statue in Budapest?
The statue of Beethoven in Városmajor. When I was in high school, we used to hang out in the park after school. Although I didn’t really care about Beethoven at the time, I could still feel his presence. We moved back to the area two years ago, so I pass him often. It’s reassuring to know he’s still there.
2. - What event would you recommend in Budapest this spring?
I couldn’t choose between classical concert and film, so I recommend two events. Budapest Festival Orchestra are playing ‘Der Rosenkavalier suite’ by Richard Strauss in April. We are spoilt by Budapest Festival Orchestra, they’re one of the best orchestras in the world. And the film is Hayao Miyazaki Japanese animation director’s monumental historical animation, The Wind Rises, which is coming to cinemas in April. I saw it at the Venice Film Festival, and I can’t wait to see it again!
1. It’s a cheerful statue that can be interpreted and misunderstood in more than one ways. I had the opportunity to witness its inauguration on the 50th anniversary of the 1956 revolution, on a sunny day in December in Józsefváros. The statue depicts a detail of a submarine, with a golden arm holding a briefcase hanging out of a porthole. The sculptor is the Unknown Artist of Hungarian origin from Amsterdam. His dad came up with the idea (way before 1956) to build a submarine with capacity enough for a family of three, and to attach it with a powerful magnet to the bottom of a barge on the Danube heading to Vienna. Later, the statue must have been in the way, so, just like many other things in the way, it disappeared without a trace.
1. My favourite statue in Budapest is the Little Princess. It’s inspiring and it suggests that one should stop for a moment and take a look around. The artist was inspired by his child, he wanted to capture the childlike, playful nature of his daughter. It has become the symbol of Budapest. A copy of the statue can also be found in Tokyo in the hall of the Metropolitan Space Art, a present from the artist, László Marton.
3. - Where would be your home away from home? Why?
In England. I lived there and I think I will again. I enjoy that the society is built on trust, people are nice to each other, smile at and chat to strangers. I can’t get enough of the beauty of rural England, and I’m really into the cultural diversity of London. I like the rain, the cool summers, the daffodil fields in February. I even like English cuisine: I adore their cakes, the Sunday roast and the savoury pies (steak and ale pie and Cornish pasty).
4. - What flavour is essential to your spring?
I run for an ice cream with the first rays of sun. Sorbet beyond measure. And fresh strawberry and raspberry.
5. - What do you do and what have you been up to lately?
I work with films at a Daazo.com, an online platform for short films. I’m the editor of the English language magazine World of Shorts and an organizer of Friss Hús Budapest Short Film Festival. After work I help my kids with their homework.
2. The Sakura Festival at the Botanical Garden (Füvészkert) at the first and second weekend of April. Blossoming cherry trees, picnic on the green, warming up for the spring. The Japanese believe that if a cherry blossom falls on you, happiness will accompany you all your life. So all you have to do is pack a hamper, gather your friends, sit on a blanket, eat and drink, and wait for the cherry blossom to fall on you. 3. I’ve been there in a dream. It’s somewhere on the edge of Víziváros. It’s spacious, light, but what makes it special is that my late grandmother lives there. When I visit her at night she makes chicken soup for me and we talk into the small hours. 4. Túró rudi. (Chocolate filled with sweet cottage cheese) 5. I’m head of the 2nd District Dog School. This is the latest dog school in Budapest that employs the Mirror Method. The method was developed by Hungarian experts a few years ago, and following the success of more than 20 Mirror Schools in the country, two new schools opened in the U.S. The motto of this efficient method is that it’s never the dog’s fault. The master has to earn the respect of the dog. That’s where we can help. When I see that a dog-master relationship becomes harmonic and their quality of life improves, it reassures me that I work for a great cause.
2. “Come and see the Danube Bend!” Many a king wanted to reign over this breathtaking panorama. Major historical events took place here, leaving us with a rich cultural legacy. Szentendre, “the town of artists” is my favourite. I find taking a stroll along the tiny Mediterranean-style streets and having coffee on the bank of the Danube really refreshing. No wonder I dreamed up Caprice International to be in this popular small town close to Budapest. 3. Rio de Janeiro. The layout of the city, the wide and long white sandy beaches, the neverending buzz, the liveliness and temperament of the people, and the history captivate visitors straightaway. If you see Rio once, you will always long to return! 4. I always opt for light flavours in spring. The flavour of jasmine tea, the freshness of strawberries, the lively, vivid green of lime all signal the approach of summer for me. 5. I spend my days, both working and weekdays, among diamonds and jewellery. It hasn’t been easy in the world of luxury recently, but I believe in the power of renewal. I spend most of my time with designing a brand new diamond and gold collection. With my expert colleagues we aim to go ahead with the work we started 14 years ago to start the tradition of wearing jewellery in Hungary. To show the public that diamonds and diamond jewellery offer excellent investment and gift choices.
OUR EMPLOYEES’ SECRET LIVES /// FIRST PART >> ISTVÁN - Financial Manager - in the Office
>> BOGI - at the Reception
... in Eka Pada Rajakapot Asana
>> ISTVÁN - at the Reception
... In the Saddle ... in D-minor
GERLÓCZY POMPOM Bori Nánai (Pompom Design) made broches for the Gerlóczy girls. You like it? Why not buy it?
GRASS-HOPP! We celebrate opening our terrace with fresh green grass for three weeks. If you’ve been to our green terrace before, you surely remember that unique sensation. The birds are chirping, the fragrance of fresh grass mingles with that of the mackerel, and the sun just keeps on shining... (For details, visit our Facebook page or www.gerloczy.hu)
PICNIC HAMPER RELOADED Rent a picnic hamper chock full of delicacies from your favourite café, and spend the day outdoors. Our reloaded picnic offer comes with Bujdosó sparkling wine, prosciutto and olive ciabatta, pistachio and sour cherry tart, badminton and a plaid blanket. The perfect surprise date. MAKE A RESERVATION on our toll-free number 06 80 102 600.
BUGS OF SPRING Spring comes and bugs start to buzz, at Marbushka Toy Factory at least. In the Budakeszi workshop of our lovely regulars, Beatrix Bohony, László Zöld, Bojka and Dana, magical creatures come to life. Go and see for yourself! www.marbushka.com
MINI PARIS InStyle editor with an artistic inclination Máté Dávid has also found Paris at Gerlóczy. “I love to snuggle up with a cup of coffee and watch the people passing by. It’s a home-grown slice of Paris.”
ASIAN LEMONGRASS CAKE
Photo: Tomas Opitz - TOBE Gallery
Inspi r by Sp ed ring
AFTERNOON TEA AT GERLÓCZY YEMAYA’S GUIDANCE... GERLÓCZY: Which one is it then? The sea or the tea? YEMAYA: The tea, without a doubt. GERLÓCZY: All right. But is it the black, the green, or the purple? YEMAYA: The black is the hyperactive, the green is the quiet observer, and the curious one is the purple. Not its colour, only its leaves. GERLÓCZY: So is it tea or is it bonbon? YEMAYA: Not necesseraly. The point is to have puerh. GERLÓCZY: Puerh? A sip of China? YEMAYA: I’d rather call it the Yunnan of China. GERLÓCZY: For any occasion? YEMAYA: Every occasion comes from the soul.
Yemaya Black: Full-bodied, slightly smoky, 100% fermented black pressed puerh tea. Yemaya Green: Rich, spicy, partly fermented puerh tea. Yemaya Purple: Full-bodied, with slightly spicy purple leaves, rare and extraordinary tea. Yemaya Tea Bonbons: A selection of black, green, and purple puerh teas.
L’amour: Tender, flowery red tea with rose petals mixed in. Pressed black tea brick: Similar to Oolong tea, gentle tea with subtle fruity notes. Pressed white tea brick: The bud of the tea flower with gentle yet intensive character.
3. 2. 1.
TEAS FOR MOODS: 1. ‘Magical Nights’ - pointless without vanilla, coriander and kombava. 2. ‘Breathe’ - with saffron and vanilla. 4. 3. ‘Forever Young’ - the secret is turmeric and ginger. 4. ‘Sacred Feminine Temple’ - with fragrant cinnamon, saffron and cumin. 5. ‘Kiss Goodbye’ - seasoned with coriander, turmeric, saffron, cumin and lemongrass. 6. ‘Love Potion’ - seasoned with a little cardamom and ginger. 7. ‘Kill Germs’ - with the healing properties of kombava, cinnamon and vanilla.
5.
7. 6.
GERLÓCZYRecommends: A GERLÓCZY CLASSIC:
PÂTÉ WITH FRESH BREAD It’s been on the menu for ages but it never gets old. It melts in the mouth, with fine pearl onions on the side, freshly baked bread underneath and liver inside... The best choice on the terrace in spring. Have it with a glass of white wine for a perfect afternoon.
SATURDAY BOOK STALL THE METAMRPHOSIS OF RED BUS BOOKSTORE Red Bus Bookstore closed after 10 years of operation one street from us. But don’t despair, as of 1 February, David awaits you with the best second-hand English books on our terrace. The book hunt starts at 9 in the morning. A freshly bought book with a cup of coffee, that’s what a perfect Saturday morning is like in our books. And in yours? Every Saturday morning we await you with coffee, fresh croissant, and good books. And with love.
GERLÓCZY FISH TERRACE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE... The Fish Terrace returns in March like you’ve never seen it before. Beside our good old friend the mackerel, you’ll see new additions on the grill. Fresh from the charcoal grill, squid, shrimp and co. get on the plate. For a hint of a seaside breeze in downtown Budapest, head to Gerlóczy Fish Terrace!
HINT: Ask your server about the daily Fish Terrace offer!
KEEP CALM AND READ BOOKS! INTRODUCING DAVID OF THE SATURDAY BOOK STALL It’s a shame Nick Hornby doesn’t know David Bailey. We could have the sequel to High Fidelity. Instead of record store owner music fan Rob Gordon, the protagonist could be an ex-logistics manager turned book store owner English bloke with a killer accent and football fandom that includes even Hungarian football. This bloke would go to work to his cult shop, Red Bus Bookstore in Semmelweis utca, and he would fall in love with a Hungarian girl of course, and stayed in Budapest for her for more than ten years. They would have a baby together, just to make that ending a tad happier. Then events would take a dramatic turn, stories do need that, and he would have to close up shop. This is as far as this imaginary novel goes. In reality, David’s Red Bus Bookstore awaits customers with the best second hand English books on the terrace of Gerlóczy every Saturday morning. Ten years ago the only thing David Bailey knew about Hungarians, despite being a footie fan, was that Puskás was Hungarian. A chance encounter brought him to Budapest. It didn’t take the born and bred Londoner long to feel more at home in Budapest coffee houses, street corners and breezy squares than in the increasingly vibrant and crowded London. In Budapest, where one is likely to bump into an acquaintance on the street and strike up a conversation. So he didn’t waste too much time before he rented a shop, hunted down the best used books in London and opened Red Bus Bookstore. He turned it into a success, although he’s not the pushy salesman type. He says he wouldn’t want to deprive anyone of the thrill of the treasure hunt when choosing a book. He’s already founed this treasure in London-based author of Hungarian origin Stephen Vizinczey’s In Praise of Older Women and György Dragomán’s The White King. Réka Klementisz
INSPIRED BY GERLÓCZY Two of our regulars have published their new books in the past six months. Babiczky and Biczi recommend one another.
Suffering from writer’s block? Treat it at Gerlóczy!
OYSTERS FOR DUMMIES How to eat oysters? To shuck an oyster you need an oyster knife. Insert the tip of the knife into the small hole at the hinge of the oyster shell and push it all the way inside to break the hinge and cut the abductor muscle. Remove the top shell, keeping the bottom shell flat to conserve the oyster juices. Oysters are particularly nutritious and healthy, low in fat and carbohydrates. Although they consist of 83% water, they’re remarkably rich in vitamins and minerals. In addition, oysters are believed to be aphrodisiacs. Without any scientific proof, we can either confirm or deny that.
During oyster season, from September to April, fresh oysters arrive at Gerlóczy every Friday! Half a dozen: 4500 Ft, a dozen: 9000 Ft
THE BEST IN ROMANCE Our rooms have received the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award in the Best Romantic Hotels category again. As the letter accompanying the award suggests we should be really proud, as only 1% of hotels around the world can claim this title. Thank you for your reviews!
FRESH MEAT 27-30 MARCH Daazo European Short Film Centre invites you to the second edition of Friss Hús - Budapest Short Film Festival. Following the success of the event last year, the festival reaches out to international professionals this year. The festival provides professional opportunities for young filmmakers who otherwise have limited opportunities to present their work to large audiences. An international jury will pick the winner from the shortlist selected from 333 entries.
SHOT IT AND ATE IT Tomas Opitz (TOBE Gallery) had just finished a photo shoot at Gerlóczy when the first Asian lemongrass cake got ready. He took a photo of it, and was the first to taste it in the house. We hope doesn’t always eat his subjects.
The four-day festival will host a number of industry events, parties and cultural programmes. For details, see the event’s Facebook page. From 13 March you get a stamp in the Friss Hús Festival Pass when ordering Rib Eye Steak at Gerlóczy. 7 stamps = 4-day festival pass for free. You have two weeks to collect all the stamps. Find all the places where you can get stamps on the Festials Facebokk page.
ZSÓFI BITTÓ - Tour Guide ---->
THE SECRETS OF BUDAPEST II. URÁNIA CINEMA Arabian nights... Uránia is perhaps the most beautiful film theatre in Budapest. With its oriental style it stands out from the buildings of Rákóczi út. Its history is as exciting and colourful as the shapes and motifs of the building. The story begam with an accountant turned writer, Antal Oroszi. His variety shows made him so rich that he left his business partner and their club called Folies Caprice behind (the club was located in ex-Rostély now Gerlóczy utca before it moved to the building that now houses the Central Theatre). He founded a new business in the Moorish-style building, designed by Henrik Schmahl. He named it Caprice, after his own nom de plume. However, the public couldn’t enjoy the massive space divided by secret doors and passages and grandiouse salons. Newly rich Oroszi didn’t take long to go bankrupt. One owner and one name followed the other for a while. Alhambra,Uránia Scientific Theatre, UFA Palace... and Uránia National Film Theatre. The building hosted public lectures, readings, even a travelling circus. But the reason why Budapesters love it is the cinema. Films have been screened here since 1899, including the first ever Hungarian motion picture entitled The Dance that was shot on the roof terrace. Unfortunately no copies exist anymore. How exciting would it be to see the stars of the age dancing csárdás and the waltz! The Dance wasn’t the last film to be shot at Uránia. Some scenes from soon to be released Houdini, featuring Adrian Brody, were shot on the stage of the Main Hall. During its recent reconstruction, a thermal spring was discovered underneath the building. Just imagine what it’d be like watching live international opera broadcasts while lounging in bubbling hot water...
Fancy hearing more interesting stories about the city? Join a „Fabulous Budapest” tour! Visit the front desk for details.
Storiesfromthebarcabinet FROM CIDER TO CALVADOS IN NORMANDY, UNLIKE IN THE OTHER REGIONS OF FRANCE, THERE ARE NO VINEYARDS. THERE ARE ORCHARDS GALORE INSTEAD, FULL OF TINY JUICY SOUR APPLES THAT WILL GIVE EXCELLENT CIDER AND LATER CALVADOS. The third French beverage of controlled designation of origin besides cognac and armagnac is basically a fruit brandy that might contain pears together with the apples. Can an apple distillate show anything new to Hungarians? It obviously can. Calvados producers, in keeping with French traditions, age their apple distillate of often aggressive aromas in oak casks. As a result, the initial unpleasant, sharp aromas gradually get rounder and smoother, and the deeper more mature notes start to dominate while keeping the freshness and acidity of the fruit. In addition, hundreds of types of apples that aren’t very enjoyable in themselves provide manufacturers with a great variety. This shabby little drink, which apple brandy was up to the 20th century, was Christian Drouin’s inspiration when he moved to hilly Calvados from industrial Rouen in the 1960s. He bought an estate, and his passion for good food and drinks led him to aim to produce the best possible calvados. In order to achieve that he had to find somebody with expertise and experience. He’d heard of a man who was renowned for his award-winning calvados. Drouin visited him and not only asked for his advise but also hired him as master calvados distiller. This expertise is crucial to find the perfect balance of sweet, sour and bitter apples, and the perfect temperature for the mashing, as it can be still too hot in September. The portable still used for distillation was made in 1946. Its operation, and selecting the most appropriate casks require considerable skill. The production of bottled apple (Pomme Prisonniere) started in a similar way. They learnt the method from a family that had been putting the carafes on the tree branches in spring and removed them full of apples in the autumn for four generations. The younger Christian Drouin, who visited Gerlóczy in December, grew up in this micro-universe. No wonder the calvados virus affected him. He manages the company today, and who’s given the family business a world-wide reputation fulfilling his father’s dream. Beyond their numerous awards (418 to be exact), further proof to the international acclaim of the Christian Drouin brand is that it was a chosen beverage at the G20 summit in 2011. The Coeur de Lion estate, where production takes place in 17th century buildings, has become a model of calvados manufacturing. A visit to the estate could be a perfect ingredient of a spring holiday in Normandy. For further information, see www.coeur-de-lion.com www.whiskynet.hu
BÉLA JUHÁSZ - Sommelier ---->
BÉLA’S CHOICES Try the freshest vintage of Etyeki Kúria Sauvignon Blanc first at Gerlóczy this spring! I recommend it with asparagus dishes, on the terrace, on the green.
GERLÓCZY:Café with rooms There are many exciting people staying in Gerlóczy from all over the world. Who are they? In each issue, we introduce one of them.. DÓRA ESZE ---->
WHAT IS A STAYCATION? ZSÓFI JÁVOR AND GÁBOR KIRICSI LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE THEIR TOW LITTLE BOYS IN BUDAPEST. THEY LIKE TRAVELLING, GETTING OUT OF THE RAT RACE AS THEY SAY. SOMETIMES THEY DON’T EVEN LEAVE TOWN TO DO THAT. THAT’S WHAT STAYCATION REFERS TO. WHEN YOU ONLY GO AS FAR AS A HOTEL, AND THAT’S PERFECTLY ENOUGH How many nights did you flee to Gerlóczy for? Only one, unfortunately. We can’t leave our younger son to others for long yet, but he’s fine with us having a theatre-restaurant-hotel combo. Fortunately, we have an ever so helpful granny available, who we can trust with him. Don’t the kids complain that they want to join you? We adore our kids, but as Professor Vekerdy said, parents need to spend time together just the two of them for the sake of their children and the harmony of their family and for themselves. To be honest, we didn’t ask their permission. We just wanted to spend the night together somewhere. And to sleep through the night. And for my husband and me to be the only people in our bed. Do you know the expression ‘staycation’? I didn’t but I googled it. Our case is somewhat similar. We went to the theatre in the evening, had a stroll the next day, and we even had time for lunch in our mini holiday. What kind of places do you stay at when you travel? We’ve been to many places together, like Berlin, Barcelona, Rome. We prefer staying at apartments, as they’re cheaper and they give you a sense of belonging in the city. But staying at a hotel was very refreshing this time. Is your neighbourhood similar to Kammermayer Károly tér or just the opposite? We used to live at Blaha Lujza tér for a while. That was a completely different world to this. We moved to Újlipótváros a year ago. It has a similarly quiet and relaxed atmosphere. What’s your favourite on the menu? Breakfast pastry and the breads at Gerlóczy are unmatched. But everybody knows that. What kind of wine did you have in your room? We didn’t have wine in the room. We had some drinks with the dinner and had a beer from the mini bar. We had a beautiful room with divine views and the staff were very nice too. And although we couldn’t wait to be together for a night, it did feel a bit as if we’d travelled to Paris for the night. What was the best bit? The fact that we were expected at the front desk, the restaurant, everywhere. Without us having said a word, they knew who we were and what we needed. That made us feel at home straightaway, and we felt special. What more can you expect from a hotel?
ARE Y OUR F OREIG BUSIN N ESS PA RTNER COMIN S G TO T Sleep OWN? them in Ger lóczy! Reser v a +36 8 tion at 0 toll fre 102 600 e num ber.
The rooms rates are: WITH FREE WIFI AND FREE IN ROOM MINIBAR WITH DAILY REFILL!
standard room for two: 95 euro/room/night+ 12 for Breakfast /each Attic room for two: 80 euro/room/night+ 12 for Breakfast /each Balcony room: 95 euro/room/night+ 12 for Breakfast /each + 15 euro balcony charge Address: Gerlóczy Rooms deLux 1052 Budapest, Gerlóczy u. 1 - above Gerlóczy Café IMPRESSUM: Contributors: Regina Bruckner, Eszter Szegô, Tamás T. Nagy, Dóra Esze, Béla Juhász, Zsófi Bittó, Réka Klementisz English Editor: Aranka Szabó Design/Photo: Péter Flanek , Photo on p. 6: Tomas Opitz Printed by: Intruder --- e-mail: marketing@gerloczy.hu Published in 1500 copies by Gerlóczy Kávéház Kft., 1052 Budapest, Gerlóczy utca 1. --- Open: all days 7am - 11pm