CH Budapest NewspaperFeb2013

your CORINTHIA CORINTHIA HOTEL BUDAPEST corinthia.com INTRO

INTERVIEW

PROGRAMS

CSR

Awards we are proud of, a photo what we love and a prominent guest whom we have hosted not long ago

interview with Szabolcs Szabó Hotel Manager on his evaluation of the past and plans for the future

Valentine’s day is nearly here! plan your programs with us to indulge your partner on this special occasion!

corinthia Hotel budapest sets example by supporting ill children in cooperation with the Magic lamp Foundation.

Welcome FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER > i am delighted to announce the formation of an important collaboration between corinthia Hotel budapest and budapest Week publishing.

At the beginning of 2013, we launched our new internal monthly magazine, your corinthia. i am confident that this uniquely exciting journal, packed with useful and interesting information, will more than meet your expectations. our aim with this publication is to make your stay at the corinthia even more enjoyable and valuable. looking back on 2012, i am proud to state that – despite economic uncertainty – we had a successful year. May i extend my sincere gratitude to you for your confidence in choosing corinthia Hotel budapest.

As General Manager of this hotel, i am greatly looking forward to 2013; it promises to be outstanding in so many ways. This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the reopening of the corinthia Hotel budapest with a year-long series of special events and a wide range of exciting programs. it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural issue of our monthly magazine. Enjoy!

Thomas M. Fischer | GEnErAl MAnAGEr

Guestbook AMEricAn SinGEr AlEciA bETH MoorE, bETTEr knoWn by HEr STAGE nAME pink

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

> our hotel’s lobby, designed in French renaissance style.

corinthia Hotel budapest selected for condé nast Traveler’s Gold list > on January 14, 2013 corinthia Hotel budapest was enrolled on condé

nast Traveler magazine’s Gold list 2013, also known as the register of the world’s finest places to stay. This distinction recognizes corinthia Hotel budapest as an outstanding hotel as selected by condé nast Traveler’s readers, writers and editors, distinguished for its high style, superb service and a one-of-a-kind stay for guests. Every entry on this list has been rigorously tested and screened and the chosen hotels are considered the very best for service, location, cuisine, rooms, leisure facilities and ambience & design. ‘The condé nast Traveler’s Gold list is truly a global representation of genuine quality and corinthia Hotel budapest is extremely proud to have been selected for this title,’ said Mr. Thomas M Fischer, General Manager of the hotel.

AbouT corinTHiA HoTEl budApEST The corinthia Hotel budapest is an award-winning member of the corinthia Hotels brand. The hotel originally opened as the Grand Hotel royal in 1896 and was entirely renovated and, in parts, rebuilt, in 2003, following its acquisition by corinthia Hotels. Among its many attributes, the hotel features a majestic grand ballroom and the ‘royal Spa’ – itself an extensive renovation of an original 19th century Spa which adjoined the original hotel - that has once again regained its rightful place as budapest’s most luxurious Spa.

HonorEd by TripAdvisor > on January 21, 2013 corinthia Hotel budapest was honored in three categories in the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ choice awards. TripAdvisor has announced the winners of the 2013 Travelers' choice hotel awards recognizing the world's top properties. now in its 11th year, the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ choice awards honor the world’s best hotels, earning this distinction from those who know them best – real travellers. unlike other hotel tributes, the selection of winners is based on millions of in-depth reviews and opinions from travellers around the world. corinthia Hotel budapest was named a winner in the following categories: luxury Hotel, best Service Hotel and Top Hotel.

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recipe of the Month

OUR OFFERS

THE cHEF rEcoMMEndS

SundAy bruncH

> Joel khalil, Executive chef of corinthia Hotel

budapest joined the hotel having already established himself as a highly skilled professional on a number of continents. His last appointment was the position of the Executive chef of Sofitel Macau in Asia and prior to that he was working in dublin, Switzerland, Tel Aviv, london, brunei and Hong kong. His international career experiences have inspired him to create some exciting, easy-to-make recipes. We invite you to cook with us and try Joel's favourites.

> Sunday brunch – this hugely popular, unforgettable culinary experience continues in 2013. Guests are invited to sample the varied international buffet and enjoy unlimited consumption of a range of house wines, sparkling wines, beers and refreshments every Sunday between midday and 4 pm in the brasserie and Atrium restaurant. children won’t be bored either because, while the adults enjoy brunch, they can play in our themed playhouse overseen by trained leisure activity supervisors who make the time spent with us even more memorable and magical.

UPCOMING BRUNCHES

10 17 24 03

February - carnival February - lunar new year February - Winter Farewell March - indian brunch

cost of the Sunday brunch: adults HuF 7900; children up to the age of 14 years 50% discount; free for children under the age of 6.

Joel khalil | Executive Chef

MARINATED AND SEARED SEA SCALLOP WITH LIME AIR AND ROUILLE Recipe for 2 persons

INGREDIENTS

EnJoy THE TrAdiTionAl lunAr nEW yEAr'S WEEk and taste the Asian culinary delights at rickshaw. unique delectation, oriental atmosphere and five star treat.

11-17 February 2013 price of the menu for 2 guests: 18,880 HuF

MEnu ForETASTE: • lime and sake marinated salmon • coconut chicken soup • pan-fried duck breast with snow peas, celery and chili sauce • Wok fried tiger prawns with bokchoy and ginger • Warm Asian chocolate brownie with coconut ice cream

ScAllopS

• Sea scallops 6 pcs, Grated ginger 10 gr, Fresh lemon juice 20 ml, Extra virgin olive oil 50 ml • Fresh sprouts 15 gr, Salt & pepper to taste

bASic rouillE • red bell pepper 1 pc, baked potato 1 pc, Tomato purée 1 tbsp, Egg yolk 1 pc, Garlic glove 1 pc • Salt & cayenne pepper to taste, olive oil 125 ml, croutons 4 pcs dEcorATion optional • Micro herbs for decoration, dried black olive powder, Spinach pesto, red bell pepper coulis

liME Air • lime juice 225 gr, Water 275 gr, lecite 1.5 gr

METHODS rouillE

• place 1 roasted red pepper, deseeded, in a food processor with

flesh of the baked potato, tomato purée, egg yolk, garlic clove and the seasoning.

• Work the ingredients in the machine to a puree, then add the extra virgin olive oil while the machine is running and work until smooth and thick. Taste for seasoning. Set aside.

• Toast the croutons and pipe some of the rouille on the toasted crouton.

• For the different colored rouille remove the bell peppers and add Fresh spinach juice, and for the yellow add Saffron.

ScAllopS • Slice the scallops to marinate evenly in 4 thin slices, sprinkle with the salt, grated ginger then dressing with extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

• Season the remaining 2 pieces of scallops with salt and pepper and sear in a hot non stick pan with olive oil, for a minute or two until slightly caramelized or browned, do not overcook the scallops.

liME Air • Mix the 3 ingredients in a bowl, place the hand blender on the surface of the liquid and activate to produce the foam, leave to stabilise for one minute and collect the lime air formed on the surface.

plATinG • on a plate, start by placing the sliced marinated scallop in a rosace shape, then the colourful rouille croutons and the hot seared scallop • decorate with items listed and finish with the lime air

VAlEnTinE’S dAy dinnEr at Atrium restaurant, 6.00 pm. February 14, 2013

“PINK BELLINI” - cocktail ***

“LIKE THE SEA” - Grilled scallop and prawn brochette with coriander and mango salsa

Jásdi olaszrizling 2011, Csopak ***

“LOVE ME TENDER” - cardamom scented pink cauliflower cream soup ***

“NOTHING COMPARES 2 U” - Seared Atlantic halibut fillet with saffron risotto Figula chardonnay 2010, Balatonboglár ***

“POWER OF LOVE” - roasted pheasant breast with goose liver, pommes Anna and caramelized endives, ginger and red wine reduction Gere Tamás pinot noir 2007, Villány ***

“KISS FROM A ROSE” - Valentine’s chocolate dessert with blood orange sorbet Áts cuvée 2009, Tokaj *** proGrAM: Surprise magic

pricE oF THE MEnu: 9,600 HuF | pricE oF THE MEnu includinG WinE SElEcTion: 13,900 HuF

roMAnTic MoMEnTS AT lE bAr “WinGS oF loVE” nemiroff vodka, Frangelico, strawberry puree, blackcurrant nectar and small cream . . . . . . . . . . 2,500 HuF “iT’S HoT...” bacardi black, strawberry puree, fresh chili and lime juice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,800 HuF

VAlEnTinE AT THE royAl SpA FEBRUARY ALWAYS BRINGS OUT THE ROMANCE IN SPA TREATMENTS > indulge yourself and your loved one with a special experience

Sea Holistic Spa treatment in the specially designed double room for couples (90 minutes 61,000 HUF for a couple) Areas of tension are eased away under the pressure of hot marine boluses filled with sea salt crystals and lavender. This Sea Holistic marine treatment is based on traditional Thai techniques. body and mind are intensely relaxed and skin regains its radiance. A sea salt crystal face and body scrub cleansing follows. This ritual includes express facial cleansing and a full body massage, enhanced with sea salt boluses. A glass of sparkling wine makes a fantastic end to the romantic experience.

TAblE rESErVATion And FurTHEr inForMATion: +36 1 479-4800 or cuisine.budapest@corinthia.com facebook.com/corinthiahotelbudapest

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The Grand Story

corinTHiA HoTEl london

oF corinTHiA HoTEl budApEST

BY TIBOR MESKÁL, MANAGER ON DUTY

The beginning - Chapter 1 > When visitors to budapest are walking on Elizabeth boulevard toward

octogon square, they pass a remarkably beautiful French renaissance building, the legendary Grand Hotel royal – today corinthia Hotel budapest. upon seeing such an inviting sight, one may not consider the great history behind the old walls.

The route of the Grand boulevard (nagykörút) was marked out during the 1870’s along with Andrássy Street, budapest’s most impressive avenue. The road went through a thinly populated part of suburban budapest, so its development was rather slow, and only a few buildings were constructed in the 1870’s. The real development of the Grand boulevard began once Andrássy Avenue was completed in 1884.

> opened in April 2011, corinthia Hotel london is corinthia Hotels’ flagship property rated amongst london’s finest five star luxury hotels. Housed within a Victorian building, 294 rooms (including 36 suites and 7 penthouses) offer sweeping views across london’s most popular landmarks. corinthia Hotel london provides unrivalled world-class luxury with superb ground floor offerings including the restaurant, The northall serving the best in british produce throughout the day; the speciality seafood restaurant Massimo restaurant & oyster bar, and the musically inspired bassoon bar. corinthia london is also home to the flagship ESpA life at corinthia, a next-generation spa housed across four floors; and its very own daniel Galvin hair salon. The hotel boasts the largest room sizes in london, original restored Victorian columns and tall windows that let in swathes of natural light. cutting edge technology in rooms and meeting rooms allow for recording, mixing and broadcasting from dedicated media rooms. corinthia london is a 21st century grand hotel located in the heart of london, created by experts with a passion for craftsmanship and an understanding of world-class service. corinthia london is the ninth of corinthia Hotels’ collection of five-star hotels founded by the pisani family of Malta.

The Grand Hotel royal was originally opened for visitors to the highly successful Millennium Exhibition in 1896. A joint-stock company, established by the most important hotel owners, including the chairman Frigyes Glück and the planner architect rezsô ray, had succeeded in purchasing the largest piece of real estate on the newly developed Grand boulevard. by this time the Grand boulevard had become the main artery of the capital city and the hotel rooms enjoyed superb views of this most attractive part of budapest. The official opening ceremony was May 1, 1896. The hotel comprised 232 guest rooms, 20 individual apartments in the adjacent building and attic rooms for the staff. The architectural style was French renaissance and the latest technology of the era was used throughout.

The aim was to create a building equipped for the highest levels of luxury, with high quality services and professionally organised operations. besides the facilities (post office, bank, hairdresser, and ticket office), guests and the public had access to two restaurants, a café, a Gerbeaud confectionery and private dinning rooms. in the cellar could be found not only a grocery store but also a bar. in the western cour d’honneur a palm garden made the court more attractive.

This year the restored and rebuilt Grand Hotel royal celebrates the 10th anniversary of its reopening on the April 30, 2013 as corinthia Hotel budapest. Several historical periods and chapters will be presented to the readers in the coming issues to commemorate this magnificent hotel.

To be continued…

MEET THE STAFF INTERVIEW WITH

Szabolcs Szabó, HOTEL MANAGER How long have you worked at the hotel? i started as rooms division Manager in August 2010, and then i was appointed acting General Manager between August 2011 to February 2012.

Since March 2012, i have been active as Hotel Manager, that is, i am responsible for the overall functioning of the hotel.

How would you evaluate the past year?

The city found it difficult to recover from the collapse of Malév Hungarian Airlines at the beginning of the year, but luckily we were able to fill the gap left by the loss of convention guests with individual guests relatively quickly. in fact, convention guests returned by the third, and more so the fourth quarter of the year, thus allowing us to conclude a relatively successful year.

What were you most proud of last year?

As manager responsible for operations, i gained the greatest pleasure from the successful partial refurbishment of 100 guest rooms, and the installation of new flat-screen TVs into all 440 bedrooms. obviously this resulted in minor hitches in our operation, but we knew that these investments would be popular with our guests and they would lead to a rise in guest satisfaction levels over the long term.

What will 2013 bring? i am confident that, in the spirit of the 10th anniversary celebrations, we will be able to implement further improvements in guest rooms and we will continue to raise the overall standard of the hotel. With regard to financial results, i am confident that the upturn we experienced in the fourth quarter of 2012 will continue and we can look forward to a stable 2013 free of external influences.

What programs are planned to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the hotel’s reopening?

We are planning a whole series of interesting and diverse programs to mark the 10th anniversary, reaching a climax at the end of April.

There are quite a few surprises in store, and i would like to outline just a couple of them here: we want to present the hotel to the man (and woman) on the street, revealing it as they have certainly never seen it. it is common knowledge that this hotel has a distinguished past, and with this in mind we are putting together a major exhibition for hotel guests and visitors interested in its history. We will provide full details of all our programs in due course.

COOPERATION WITH THE MAGIC LAMP FOUNDATION

SupporTinG cHildrEn > corinthia Hotel budapest believes that as well as guaranteeing maximum guest satisfaction it is equally important to act as a role model in the area of corporate social responsibility. At the end of 2012 we finalized a strategic cooperation agreement with the csodalámpa (Magic lamp) Wish Fulfilling Foundation, now in its 10th year of operation. We have a common purpose: to help people in need.

The Magic lamp Wish Fulfilling Foundation makes the wishes and hopes of children who suffer from life-threatening diseases come true, giving them unforgettable experiences and breaking the dull routine of hospital treatment. The foundation – acting together with generous, supportive individuals and companies – has been fulfilling wishes since november 2003, in which time it has made the dreams of around 2,000 seriously ill children come true. it is our intention to contribute to this worthy cause and brighten up the lives of needy children in 2013.

your CORINTHIA CORINTHIA HOTEL BUDAPEST corinthia.com

proGrAMS in FEbruAry RECOMMENDED BY THE

rESErVATionS: +36 309 48 64 48 www.orfeumclub.hu www. facebook.com/orfeum

corinTHiA HoTEl budApEST CONCIERGE TEAM A ricH pAlETTE oF clASSicAl And ModErn concErTS, opErAS And opErETTAS, And dAncE SHoWS ArE oFFErEd THiS MonTH

For further information or reservations, please contact the Concierge. > THE HunGAriAn STATE opErA offers an excep-

tional performance for every day, except Mondays.The repertoire consist of two ballets – don Quixote and Gone with the Wind- and six operas – il Trovatore, don Giovanni, Xerxes, Turandot, The flying dutchman and the king’s new clothes. > THE opErETTA THEATrE invites operetta lovers

for local favorites as The Gypsy princess, baroness lili and all time classics as rebecca, Abigail, Same timenext year, romeo and Juliet, Miss Saigon, Elisabeth… and organizes two special Wine & operetta Gala shows to get two treats together! > Those fond of classical music can book a seat at

the pAlAcE oF ArTS for the special bartók Marathon -February 3 - for eleven concerts held on a single day.

The danube Symphony orchestra invites you for two classical performances this month - February 1 and 22 - at the danube palace. > organ concerts - offering four different classical

programs - are held at the ST. STEpHEn’S bASilicA on Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays. in addition to organists the concerts traditionally feature singers and instrumental musicians whose contribution is in itself the guarantee for the high level performance.

ORFEUM PROGRAM OFFER 06 Feb Streisand - Musical tribute to barbra Streisand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . live 21:00 09 Feb This is rockabilly! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . concert & party 20:00 12 Feb liza & Me - A dazzling music-hall-theater evening & a musical tribute to legendary performer liza Minnelli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . show time 21:00 13 Feb Whitney - Musical tribute gala to legendary performer Whitney Houston . . . . . . . . . . . show time 21:00 14 Feb Simply swing! - Swing concert and party with X-Factor Hungary 2012 Finalist Adél csobot . . . live 21:00 15 Feb clarisse nights opening - ibiza night house party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .party 22:00 19 Feb Full house - The voice canditate on stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . live 21:00 21 Feb Swing & boogie - The greatest hits of the big band Era . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . live 21:00 22 Feb A piece of my heart - Hungarian pop class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . live 21:00 23 Feb luxfunk radio funky party + live concert the best of funky from the ’70s through today’s hottest Soul and r’n’b hits . . . . . . . . live + party 20:00 27 Feb Songs of my life - Jazz and pop classics with a true Hungarian musical diva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . live 21:00

MADÁCH THEATRE

only 2 minutes walk from corinthia

Hotel budapest

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT

BY TIM RICE AND ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER > This wonderful musical is based on the story of Joseph, one of the most beautiful, dramatic and eventful stories of the bible, and also on Thomas Mann’s famous tetralogy. it debuted in the Madách Theatre in 2008. Since its Hungarian premiere, the musical has run more than 150 times. The spectacular and extremely dynamic performance has become one of the public’s favourites. its witty, humorous and creative lyrics, and fresh, multi-faceted scenes combined with Webber’s melodious tunes ensure an excellent, entertaining, ironic, but at the same time inspired and chathartic experience for the public.

pErForMAncES in FEbruAry 2013 07 Wednesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 pm 08 Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 pm 09 Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:00 pm 09 Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 pm 10 Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:00 pm 10 Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 pm

> on February 23 at the dAnubE pAlAcE, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble offers a taste of famous Hungarian folk dancing. palace of Arts favors dance enthusiasts also this month, offering a Valentine’s day special, modern tango show ‘Tango no tango’ on February 14 and carmina burana on February 25.

EXHibiTionS > The once-in-a-lifetime production of Michael

Jackson: THE iMMorTAl World Tour, performed by the world famous cirque du Soleil presents two shows in budapest - on February 5 and 6 at the papp lászló budapest Sportarena. The show is to capture the essence, soul and inspiration of the king of pop. > Jazz fans are invited to the budApEST JAzz club to enjoy the concert of the famous budApEST JAzz orcHESTrA on February 16 and also to palace of Arts for an international Jazz Workshop on February 15, intoducing the csepregi–rátonyi duo and Eliane Amherd.

> THE MuSEuM oF FinE ArTS offers you the famous cézanne and the past

exhibition – presenting an overview of paul cézanne’s oeuvre and his approach to the past through more than a hundred paintings, drawings and watercolours - until February 17, though the small rodin dossier exhibition can be visited during the whole month. The latter displays five sculptures, purchased directly from the artist himself, back in the 1900s. > A-lifetime experience is waiting for you at THE inViSiblE EXHibiTion at the

Millenáris, a unique interactive journey to an invisible world, where in total darkness you find your way only by touch, sounds and scent. during your invisible journey you will be led by blind or partially sighted people at seven different places. Every Friday at the invisible dinner you can enjoy a delicious meal in pitch-dark, you will be surprised by how developed your sense of smell and taste really are.

FESTiVAlS And FAirS > cArniVAl SEASon ‘FArSAnG’ - until February

> Fine lace from the town of kiskunhalas (commonly shortened to Halas) is dis-

13- is marked by festivities, masquerades, balls and noisy parades all around the country that aim to scare off winter and welcome spring. Should you have a free weekend on February 7-12, visit Mohács to take part in the busójárás.

played at the MuSEuM oF AppliEd ArT thru February. The exhibition is designed to piece together the 110 years history of the famous Halas lace that is a true Hungaricum and a protected element of the intangible cultural Heritage in Hungary since 2010. The exhibition showcases elected lacework, part-completed pieces, lace making tools, photographs, drawings, certificates and postage stamps.

> on February 8-10, gourmands are invited to the

> THE WAMp dESiGn FAir – the community event in the hub of budapest, where emerging contemporary Hungarian designers showcase their works continues also in February on the EliSAbETH SQuArE, in the very heart of budapest. This is the place where design meets urban Hungarians, tourists and expats, hungry for something different, new and stylish, let it be a specially handcrafted necklace, a desklamp or a T-shirt.

liberty Square for MAnGAlicA FESTiVAl, a special annual gastronomic event all about the curly-haired mangalica pig, a Hungarian heritage breed. The festival also offers a wide range of cultural programs, including folk music concerts.

TAblE rESErVATion And FurTHEr inForMATion: +36 1 479-4800 or cuisine.budapest@corinthia.com facebook.com/corinthiahotelbudapest