ZEYA

Have you ever heard about fine BBQ dining? As strange as the combination may seem, it isn't exactly what you can imagine. ZEYA, the newly opened elegant and chic downtown restaurant has incredibly reinvented the meaning of BBQ, in the best way possible. 

With beautiful, quality meats, which are then smoked in various ways, are then curated onto the dishes in good sized portions. The options are endless and will definitely excite your palate. Take a look at the menu here.

Even though the cocktail menu is extensive and beautifully created and each drink is carefully crafted, the sommelier assisted us in choosing the Kiss Gábor cabernet sauvignon, a red Hungarian wine as a pairing for our dinner.

WHAT WE ATE

The starter: Black bread with specialty butter

The salad: Goat cheese with blackcurrant and vinaigrette
The meat: Ribeye steak with grilled baby vegetables and truffle

The desert: Cake with mango and pineapple 

But why the Sphynx cat as their signature animal and face of the restaurant? 

The Sphynx is connected to touching the heart with warmth (despite its lack of fur), elegance, exhibiting a high level of power, influence, curiosity, love and gracefulness. Another quality that the Sphynx exhibits is graciousness to their owners and with that, ZEYA restaurant manages to do all that for its guests. 

For a bit of privacy, there is also a banquet room which can be rented out for parties, events or weddings. Carrying on with the elegance, the massive chandelier is a statement piece above the long dining table, reminding me of a dining scene straight out of the 1920's with its glamour and class.

If you're looking to be treated like true royalty, then make your reservation. You can find ZEYA near the Basilica, on Sas utca 4 and on Facebook to view more detailed photos of the menu.

Thank you for the wonderful fine BBQ dining experience ZEYA!

Photos property of Modern Revival and ZEYA

BCEFW SS19: NORA SARMAN & VECSEI

BUDAPEST CENTRAL EUROPEAN FASHION WEEK
SPRING SUMMER 2019
OCTOBER 25 - 27, 2018

NORA SARMAN BRIDAL
VECSEI MILLINERY

The inspiration for the Spring/Summer 2019 Nora Sarman collection is the pastoral genre known from classical music, literature and fine art, and the throwback to a more simpler Marie Antoinette. At the height of her reign, the Queen of splendor, extravagance, pomp and circumstance, the Queen began to feel an irresistible appeal after a simple and pure lifestyle of country life.
Marie Antoinette flocked to her idyllic chateau on the grounds of Versailles, a step away from the lavish, and she wanted wildflowers and lush nature.

Marie craved the innocent and pure love of rural life, and most importantly, she wanted long and comfortable clothes. After a heavy brocade, she switched to light Muslin, and replaced the huge wigs with a straw hat. The collection was inspired by the duality that the delicate caterpillars, soft cotton lace which can be worn comfortably and feel relaxed, and the message is that we feel self-assured in our most beautiful clothes.

In the collection, there are blurred boundaries between casual clothing and wedding wear, as the separate tops and skirts give the opportunity to wear them not only at a significant event, but also to recapture them with other pieces. Along with this concept, the designer dreamed up a lot of lace tops and various variations of pants and skirts, so we can create the most appropriate bridal or casual set for our personality.

The collection is dominated by angelic white, complemented by black and pastel ribbons and velvet straps. Soft cotton lace and relief-like prominent guipure lace decorate the dresses at the waist and sometimes on the shoulders. In addition to the designer lace, the rococo-laced caterpillar was made of taffeta, muslin and tulle from the pieces, and from Marie Antoinette's long-awaited work-packed patchwork of rural life.
A true representation of a historic classic being brought back to life - congratulations to both Nora Sarman and Vecsei Millinery!

Further reading:
The Marie Antoinette Dress that Ignited the Slave Trade

Photos property of BCEFW

BCEFW SS19: PETER MERO

BUDAPEST CENTRAL EUROPEAN FASHION WEEK
SPRING  SUMMER 2019

OCTOBER 25 - 27, 2018

PETER MERO

"A woman in my view should embody a blend of sensuality, delicacy and intelligence, and at the same time emit strength and confidence. These qualities do not contradict each other, but rather allow opportunity for reaching harmony. As a designer, I wish to find harmony between these extremities. I take pleasure in recognizing and revealing one's individual features or unique personality, and displaying these to others. I never follow any cliches, neither repeat my former works. I passionately look for new paths, never stopping to be inventive. As each work of my collection was inspired by a different woman, we can say each piece of art is fully personal." Peter Mero

INSPIRATION

The "Femme Fatale" of the Hollywood movies, the woman unpredictable and alluring, who uses her mystic charms with cool elegance and confidence, thus capturing men with bonds of irresistible desire. The woman who is able to hide her purposeful power behind intrigue and sweet feminine tricks. The idol who wants to conquer, like a Pin Up Girl, never stripping to the buff, and still radiating with sensuality, mystery and feminine innocence. It is amazing how much creative freedom this style allows to the designer, eliminating all taboos, but at the same giving free play for your fantasies and mystery.

UNIQUE STYLE

The style I prefer most is the sophisticated, reserved and purely feminine style.

I like to experiment with new things all the time, for there are no identical people, as there are no final forms and tailoring designs. All my dresses were inspired by different women, so every piece of my collection is unique. Each has its own "personality", which has been achieved not just by emphasizing the most beneficial lines, but rather by revealing the hidden movements of the soul. That is why all my pieces of work are so personal. Each is a creation in the noblest meaning of this world, reflecting the person who wears it. 

DRESSES CONVEYING MESSAGES

During his career as a ballet dancer, Peter learned to pay attention to the message of the body. 

As a designer, he pursues the same goal: "I communicate through appearance and shapes. 

Women have moments in their lives that bring unique and unrepeatable messages for them.

One of my favourite sayings is: You will never have the second chance to make a first impression…"

As a designer, he's learned to rely on his intuition and experience. 

"My aim is to offer women wearing my design something that represents both them and me. My aim is to create a style that makes women feel special, and first of all, make them feel like a WOMAN."

Photos property of BCEFW

STAND

Stand Restaurant is one of the newest and hottest fine dining restaurants in Budapest to visit to experience a gastronomical delight. 

THE CHEFS 

With the most highly regarded chefs, Szabina Szelló and Tamás Széll, Stand is earning its name on the fine dining list in Budapest. Their names were once united with Onyx restaurant, which, with the leadership of the chef, became a Michelin-star restaurant, making them the first Hungarian chefs to get recognition. Széll was the first to represent Hungary at the world's most prestigious cooking competition, Bocuse d'Or. In 2016, he won the European finals of the competition, and in addition to the fourth place in the 2017 Lyon World Final, he also received the special prize for the best meat. Szelló and Széll made a small break in the fine dining world last year to open their common bistro, Stand 25. The owner and manager, Ibolya Csahók, made sure to explain each dish and special features and ensured a calm and enjoyable evening of dining.

THE INTERIOR

Dóra Fónagy and Sarolta Bihary, the interior designers and architects of Stand Restaurant, brought in the outdoors indoors and mixed this with classic and modern furnishings. Simplicity is key but it is not to be underestimated as the small details and quality are not absent to the observing eye. Modern mirrors make the space seem even larger and the window into the kitchen, allows the audience to get a backstage pass into the chef's workings. Book a table next to watch the magic happen and your dish come alive in front of your eyes.

SWEET SYMPHONY

THE FOOD

What we ate: starting off with cute little snacks and bites, duck liver with buttery brioche, then fish soup with smoked carp, fish and cucumber salad with clam sauce, young lamb roast with stuffed cabbage and saffron, finishing off with petite fours desert (which melted the moment they touched my tongue). An apple and plum cake with a flashback of home (Canadian maple leaf), traditional somlói sponge cake and a surprise birthday cake with gold leaf. All paired with Hungarian wines and completed with a digestive. 

What a fantastic fine dining experience - I absolutely recommend it!

Photos property of Architect Forum, Stand Restaurant & Modern Revival

LA BOHÉM

BOHÉM IN GILVESY

Hungary is one among the European countries which possess the most prestigious wine history. A little treasure is the Gilvesy winery, which is located in the Badacsony wine region - one of Hungary’s most celebrated regions. The glory of its grape culture can be dated all the way back to the arrival of Roman settlers. Szent György Hill, a calm and hidden place, an authentic region which is just about two kilometers from Lake Balaton, is covered with organic vineyards you can only dream up. This amazing hill was a volcano 4 million years ago and the remnants from the land can be one factor of amazing wine production here. The basalt columns that ornament its sides reveal its volcanic origin. This fabulous landscape has inspired such artists as writer Gyula Krúdy and poet Sándor Kisfaludy. The several million year old mesas are not only delightful to the eye but they also add to the creation of the region’s unique mesoclimates. The high humidity due the presence of a large body of water helps prevent extreme fluctuations in temperature.

Like the 4 acts of the Italian Opera, the most popular and in demand wine, BOHÉM is a combination of the white classics: Olaszrizling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.
Light, fresh and zesty palate with green apple and citrus fruit. Perhaps summer is coming to an end, but with BOHÉM, it is everlasting.

Photos property of Gilvesy Pinceszet

BCEFW AW18

BUDAPEST CENTRAL EUROPEAN FASHION WEEK
AUTUMN WINTER 2018
APRIL 27 - 29, 2018

Another season to look forward to and collections from all around the Visegrad countries (including Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and extending to the Ukraine this year) which conjured up fresh ideas and inspiration. There were so many fashion shows to attend this season, however, here are the designers which stood out the most. To find more photos, visit the BCEFW link at the bottom.

MAISON MARQUISE
Hungary

Classic and elegant, modern with a touch of tradition, clean lines with pops of unexpected details are all what came to mind at the Maison Marquise runway show. Hungarian designer, Bori Toth, has positioned herself at the top of the luxury brands in the city with her use of high quality fabrics, leather, lace and silk, her use of artistic graphic designs and exciting combination of classic meeting modern elegance for the urban world.

ABODI
Hungary

'Arrival to Planet Abodi' and welcome the galactic unicorn and Pegasus creature on their adventures.
Hungarian designer Dora Abodi has really expanded her empire and recently, celebrities including Hungarian model Barbara Palvin, Michelle Rodridguez, Olivia Munn, Dita von Teese and Gwen Stefani are all rocking Abodi Unisis Empire designs. Abodi inspires by fusing ancient times with futurism, opulence mixed with rigidness and with robotic technology creating a new religion. ABODI icon is the TWIN UNISUS, a mystical and powerful creature, a winged unicorn.

NAH-NU
Poland

Black never goes out of style, especially in the F/W months when it can be paired with everything. Monochrome looks have been all the rage this past season as well, exuding an effortless look, in suits and matching dresses with overcoats. However, Polish designer Katarzyna Skorek proves that the focus here is not on the simplicity of the black or red shades but on the rich fabrics, little changes to the details in the dresses and jackets, asymmetrical designs and showcasing the female form in elegance and feminity.

KATTI ZOOB
Hungary

Hungarian designer Katti Zoob brought in 'Fairy Tale' elements into her designs this year and watching her show, I caught a glimpse of Medieval design, princess cuts, Eastern influences in the textiles and motifs. A truly wonderful and inspirational collection.

OMELYA T-DRESS
Ukraine

This was the social media girl of the runway with high energy, good spirit and selfies along the way. Coming from Kiev Ukraine, Omelya T-Dress inspires young women to have fun, dress up, be bold and unique and certainly, have fun (or die!).

STREET STYLE

Thank you to Budapest Central European Fashion Week and to all designers for the personal invitations.
Looking forward to seeing what the next season has in store!

Photos property of MBFWCE