There are many types of village fetes: some with better programs than others, sack races and pie eating. But there are fetes where the bar is set high in everything from cultural events to wines. This is Kálibuli in Köveskál: cream of viola soup instead of lángos from the Káli Art Inn, Laposa, Homola, Pálffy and Villa Tolnay wines instead of fake fröccs, a quality art exhibition instead of cheesy entertainment. Come and party on 21 June.
It is not surprising at all that top-notch restaurants, wineries and guesthouses have been opening their gates in a growing number of townships in the Balaton region, especially in the Káli Basin. But the answer to the following question still seems to be eluding us: how did Köveskál manage to fit in so many high-quality establishments within a couple of hundred metres from each other which would be an impressive achievement even in a big city.
Kővirág Pension and Restaurant, the Káli Art Inn, Miakő, the Pálffy Wine Cellar and the Káli Kövek Winery are all strong players in their own right. The exquisite homemade food of Kővirág has been popular for a long time, the romantic vibe of the Káli Art Inn is a favourite among guests from within and beyond the Hungarian borders, while Miakő is still new, but news of its cuisine has travelled fast. The wineries have also carved out a reputation for themselves with wines produced at nearby vineyards.
Things could get better only if these places joined forces and organized a huge party together, where they served the best their kitchens and cellars have to offer. That is exactly what is going to happen on 21 June. At the event called Kálibuli everyone will bring their A game, with ten other Balaton wineries serving their own vintages along with the cellars from Köveskál. All of this as part of the Nagyon Balaton event series.
All three restaurants will prepare their own menus, containing such traditional dishes as pork trotters baker’s wife style by Miakő, and mangalica neck by Kővirág. The Káli Art Inn will cook up cream of viola soup, and for dessert Miakő’s Gerbeaud slice from Kál comes highly recommended. Gastro blogger Zsófia Mautner will be in attendance as well to educate gastro fans who are not only keen on eating, but on cooking, too.
In terms of wine, a good Riesling is what you need: both Pálffy and Káli Kövek have great ones. Another top option is the Pálffy Furmint, a rare vintage in these parts, along with the single-vineyard wines of Káli Kövek. Wine expert Ágnes Herczeg will guide visitors to the realm of these wines, as her lecture is also part of the Kálibuli schedule. Apart from the wineries of Köveskál, winemakers primarily from the Badacsony area will participate in the event, among them the Laposa crew, Ambrus Bakó, Villa Tolnay, and the Homola Winery from Paloznak will bring its 100% wines.
The organizers in Köveskál raised the standard above the usual operetta-majorette squad level with regards to cultural programs as well. The exhibition of Péter Weiler is shaping up to be the main culture-related attraction, taking place in the building of the Köveskál bus stop, opposite Miakő. Media expert Péter Weiler is a painter on the side: the pictures featured in his exhibition called Route ’71 exude the kind of typical, slightly shabby Balaton vibe which many recall fondly looking back on the past 20-30 years, despite maybe actually wanting to erase them from their memories for ever.
The other signed star artist besides Weiler is Krisztián Nyáry, whose once abundant Facebook posts helped bring the untouchable poets of high school literature textbooks closer to many. In Köveskál Krisztián Nyáry will once again cite episodes from the love life of great Hungarian artists, but this time he’ll delve into their Balaton-related love stories.
