Christmas/New Year finds the luxurious Kempinski Hotel Corvinus in downtown Budapest pulling out all the festive stops in what it calls its Gastronomic Quarter Downtown Budapest, which features two restaurants, two bars and coffee house, a function area and a deli, namely ÉS Bisztró, Nobu, Blue Fox The Bar, The Living Room, The Kitchen and ÉS Deli.
While each of these is presenting special seasonal treats, one of the Kempinski’s main offerings means it’s not actually necessary to visit the hotel at all, and this is the table-ready turkey or goose home delivery. In fact this is the same feast as the full traditional Thanksgiving dinner that was on offer at the hotel’s Thanksgiving celebration on November 24.
The menu on that occasion was whole roast stuffed turkey or goose served with gravy, apple mousse, cranberry chutney, glazed carrots, Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes and stuffing. Pumpkin cheesecake pie and a bottle of red or white wine rounded out the feast. The home delivery, from now until December 26, is the same and serves 4-6 people,
Advent is the four-week period of preparation for Christmas, and for both these occasions and New Year’s Day the Kempinski makes it possible for families and their friends to spend some time at a nicely laid table for a special lunch.
This is in the ÉS Bisztró on December 4, 11, 18 and 25, and January 1, and includes a wide selection of festive dishes and drinks, a nanny-supervised Kids Club Corner, live music and free parking.
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus’ central location in District V opposite Erzsébet tér and the British Embassy puts it in prime position for the celebrated Budapest Christmas markets at Vörösmarty tér and in front of the Basilica. These present an array of spicy winter drinks and traditional Hungarian Christmas foods to savour, plus folk art and craft products that make unique presents.
Out back of the Kempinski is its ÉS Christmas Terrace, alongside the so-called Fashion Street, where the Christmas markets begin and where for the season you can sit and enjoy the hotel’s signature mulled Glühwein rosé with Goulash soup and a Tafelspitz sandwich. The Christmas Terrace is running now until December 31, Tuesdays to Thursdays 2-10pm and Fridays to Sundays noon-10pm.
The menu for Christmas Eve Dinner in ÉS Bisztró is Amuse Bouche, Goose rillette, Gingerbread marinated salmon with grapefruit, Pumpkin cream soup with scallops, Grilled goose liver with figs and green apple, then either duck breast with variation of cabbage and potato doughnuts stuffed with mushroom, or Seared venison loin, chestnut mash, red mulled wine poached pear, pistachio and butter roast carrots. The festive feast concludes with chocolate black berry dessert with cinnamon flower ice-cream.
New Year’s Eve will be celebrated both in ÉS Bisztró and Blue Fox The Bar. The former promises a formidable repast with six starters including home-marinated salmon, venison and oysters, four mains of suckling pig, roast deer loin, grilled beef tenderloin or Tiger prawns, and three desserts.
Blue Fox The Bar will also have food to soak up the unlimited Veuve Clicquot champagne that is included in the price. Start with Amuse Bouche, then Half-fresh Canadian lobster with cocktail sauce, a main of Dry-aged beef tenderloin, truffled steak fries, asparagus and cherry tomatoes with Béarnaise sauce, plus for dessert Upper East Side cheesecake, chocolate brownie and vanilla ice-cream with Home-made pralines.
A DJ/music sommelier will provide the entertainment to see in 2017.
Nobu restaurant will have its own New Year’s Eve Dinner, a South American-spiced affair with a dance show and live music by Barrio Latino. Nobu is also hosting Kids Corners with arts and crafts activities. These will operate on December 4, when Santa will be present, and on Christmas Day, both from noon to 3.30pm. Teachers from English Garden Pre-School will look after the youngsters.
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest,
Erzsébet tér 7-8, District V
Phone: (+36-1) 429-3777
Reservations: (+36-1) 429-3990
Prices
Turkey or goose home delivery
HUF 32,500 and HUF 5000 delivery
Advent family lunch tables HUF 12,500
Christmas Eve dinner, 3 courses
HUF 19,800, 5 courses HUF 24,600
New Year’s Eve ÉS Bisztró 4 courses
HUF 29,800
New Year’s Eve Blue Fox the Bar 3 courses HUF 39,500
(Meals have 12% service charge)
The Kitchen at Kempinski Hotel Corvinus is a further venue, offering bookings for large and small Christmas parties with gourmet catering by award-winning chefs in relaxing five-star comfort.