Gundel is a well-known restaurant located in the Budapest City Park, Hungary.

History

A previous restaurant in the spot, ''Wampetich'', opened in 1894. In 1910,

Károly Gundel Károly Gundel (; 23 September 1883 – 28 November 1956) was a Hungarian restaurateur, business magnate, philanthropist, writer of culinary works and the former owner of the Gundel Restaurant. Family Károly Gundel was born on 23 Septembe ...

took over the Wampetich's lease and operated the restaurant. His son János Gundel, who had learned the hospitality trade at other hotels and restaurants, took over the restaurant's management. He created a dramatic and luxurious style that increased its popularity and created an international reputation. In 1939, the restaurant did the catering for the Hungarian contingent at

1939 World's Fair The 1939–40 New York World's Fair was a world's fair held at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York, United States. It was the second-most expensive American world's fair of all time, exceeded only by St. Louis's Louisiana Purcha ...

in New York City. In 1949, the restaurant was nationalized and operated by the state company of the Hungar Hotels, but it was reopened by Americans

Ronald S. Lauder Ronald (Ron) Steven Lauder (born February 26, 1944) is an American businessman, billionaire, philanthropist, art collector, and political activist. He is the president of the World Jewish Congress since 2007. He and his brother, Leonard Lauder, ...

and George Lang in 1992. Consultants Adam Tihany and graphic artist Milton Glaser assisted in its design.

Cuisine

One of Gundel's signature dishes is the Gundel palacsinta, a crepe with a filling made from rum, raisin, walnuts, and lemon zest, served with a chocolate sauce. Gundel also claims to have created

Palóc soup Palóc soup ( Hungarian: ''palócleves'') is a soup similar to Hungarian goulash soup, but lighter and a bit sour in taste. Contrary to popular opinion, the soup was not named after the palóc people. History The exact history of the soup is not ...

, a soup that aimed to be "like goulash . . . yet not goulash," according to the Gundel web site.

The Gay Hussar

Victor Sassie, the founder of

The Gay Hussar The Gay Hussar was a celebrated Hungarian restaurant located at 2 Greek Street, Soho, central London, England. It was established in 1953 and closed in 2018. History Victor Sassie was the founder of The Gay Hussar restaurant in 1953. Sassi ...

restaurant (in Soho, London) served his apprenticeship under Gundel. Sassie was sent to Budapest by the British Hotel and Restaurant Association when he was seventeen. On his return to London in 1940, he established first the Budapest restaurant and then The Gay Hussar, which was to become popular with left wing politicians.''Soho in the Fifties'', Daniel Farson.

References

External links

Gundel website

Gundel website

Gundel pancake (palacsinta) recipe
from Hungary
Gundel online reservations
{{Authority control 1910 establishments in Hungary Restaurants in Budapest Hungarian restaurants

History

Cuisine

The Gay Hussar

See also

References

External links