News & headlines at Kempinski Budapest

Budapest, 21 August 2024 – Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest is introducing a new limited-edition aperitivo menu at Blue Fox The Bar in collaboration with luxury expert Balázs Pécsi. This special menu will be available from 21 August to 30 September 2024.

 
The cocktails and accompanying snacks are designed to evoke the grandeur of one of Hungary’s golden eras, the magnificent reign of King Matthias. The menu is inspired by the king’s second wife, Queen Beatrice, who played a key role in spreading the Renaissance in Hungary, as well as Mr. Pécsi’s recently released book, Stílusgourmand (Style Gourmand), which offers etiquette and style advice.

 
‘Style Gourmand explores and chronicles elegant fashion, epicurean dishes, tasteful interiors, chic travel and traditional etiquette, offering readers access to a more sophisticated lifestyle’, says Mr. Pécsi. ‘While my book is not strictly about luxury, it is a prominent theme, which is why we focused on extraordinary, premium quality ingredients and luxurious attributes in this menu. This made it easy to connect the book’s intended message with the cultural heritage of the hotel’s namesake.’

 
In Italy, aperitivo refers to a long drink accompanied by bite-sized nibbles, typically enjoyed at the end of the working day. Drawing on this late afternoon ritual, the team at Blue Fox The Bar has developed the Style Gourmand Aperitivo, featuring two cocktails - Queen of Hungary and Princess of Naples - along with a non-alcoholic beverage, Princess of Aragon. Creative Beverage Director Balázs Molnár and Executive Chef Ádám Lévay have crafted three Italian-inspired finger foods to complement the drinks: saffron-seasoned arancini topped with edible gold leaves, savoury profiterole filled with lemon mascarpone cream and sturgeon caviar and goat cheese-stuffed olives dusted with dried olive powder or sun-dried tomato flakes.

 ‘It was the flavours of Italy, where Beatrice of Aragon was born, that inspired us to create these three cocktails’, says Balázs Molnár. ‘Queen of Hungary is an aperitif-style spritz cocktail made with premium Hungarian vermouth, rich in apple and lavender notes, combined with olive bitters and Mediterranean tonic and served in an elegant glass over a flower frozen in an ice cube. Princess of Naples blends various Italian aperitif liqueurs, such as Amaro Santoni (rhubarb), Italicus (bergamot) and Muyu Chinotto Nero (chinotto), with a touch of gin, served neat and finished with a golden spray on top. Princess of Aragon is a refreshing mocktail made with a blend of freshly ground coffee, sugar and sour cherries, cooked together with non-alcoholic chinotto and citric acid. These drinks are a perfect choice before or after dinner.’

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest is named after King Matthias Corvinus. Originally called Hunyadi, his last name, Corvinus, originates from the raven depicted on the family’s coat of arms, or Corvus in Latin. Mátyás owned the world’s second-largest library, after the Vatican’s, with approximately 50,000 hand-written and decorated books housed in Buda’s Bibliotheca  Corviniana. His second wife, Beatrice of Aragon, also contributed books to the library as part of her dowry. Their marriage had significant political implications, sealing a treaty between two of the era’s most important states, the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Hungary. Moreover, Beatrice’s arrival as Hungary’s new, luxurious and art-loving ‘first lady’ brought numerous artists, artisans, scholars and scientists, introducing Renaissance art and architecture, fashions, interiors, gastronomy and humanistic thought to Hungary. 

 

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About KEMPINSKI HOTEL CORVINUS BUDAPEST

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest defines contemporary luxury in its outfitting and service in the heart of Budapest. Boldly modern and recently redesigned, it offers 313 splendid rooms and 40 chic suites. Its signature concept, Gastronomic Quarter Downtown Budapest, includes Hungarian-Viennese ÉS Bisztró, ÉS Deli, New Japanese Nobu Restaurant, The Living Room and Blue Fox The Bar. Kempinski The Spa features the unique Hungarymud® treatment along with VOYA luxury products and routines, while the Kempinski Promenade Gallery showcases modern Hungarian art. The hotel’s MICE solution, Ten Rooms, provides state-of-the-art flexible event spaces spanning an entire floor, and The Kitchen Caters offers full-service catering both on-site and off-site.

kempinski.com/Budapest

 

About STÍLUSGOURMAND (Style Gourmand)
Balázs Pécsi is a luxury expert, editor and journalist with over 15 years of experience in lifestyle content and the luxury industry, both in Hungary and internationally. He has managed several luxury magazines and served as PR and marketing lead for various luxury brands, including the Eastern and Central European division of French manufacturer S.T. Dupont. His articles on social and luxury topics are featured not only on his blog, The Gentleman’s Review, but also in several media outlets. His first book, Stílusgourmand, which encapsulates his insights on etiquette and style, was published in May 2024 by INDA Press, a member of Indamedia Group, one of Hungary’s largest media conglomerates. In 80 engaging and entertaining chapters, Mr. Pécsi educates readers on fashion, interior design, gastronomy, travel, lifestyle and good manners.

 

About BEATRICE OF ARAGON
Born in Naples in 1457, Princess Beatrice of Aragon was the daughter of King Ferdinand (Ferrante) I of Naples and the granddaughter of King Alfonso V of Aragon of the House of Trastámara. By marrying King Matthias Corvinus (Mátyás Hunyadi in Hungarian) in 1476, she became Queen of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia. Although their union was one of political convenience, their relationship was amicable, and she wielded considerable influence over Hungary’s political affairs. During their reign, they were great patrons of the arts and commissioned luxurious palaces, transforming the royal court into one of Europe’s most celebrated cultural centres of the time.

 

Media contact:

Ildikó Dudás • Public Relations Director

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest
Erzsébet tér 7-8. • 1051 Budapest • Hungary
T +36 1 429 3578 • M +36 20 474 5018 • [email protected]