Chianti, Veszprém’s renowned fine dining restaurant, has decided to start afresh with a new name and a new, more casual concept. Now called Gusto13 and adopting a bistro mentality, the eatery now hopes to make itself more appealing to locals by putting pizza back on the menu and introducing breakfast options.
According to manager, Szabolcs László, despite being one of the best restaurants in provincial Hungary, the concept of Chianti may not have stood the test of time without a wider customer base.
The management thus decided to lighten the mood of this former fine dining restaurant and introduce a new, chilled bistro vibe.
The transformation also comes with a promise of a 10-20 percent reduction in prices. Pizza, popular before the arrival of fine dining, makes a menu comeback.
The interior has been remodeled according to this new vision: now it has a more inviting feel with a fireplace and shelves lined with delicatessen products from Gusto, the deli chain of the brand. This addition might help in shaping the way people perceive the restaurant, given the much-frequented Gusto Delicate in town.
Besides the pizzas (2,000-2,400 HUF), the selection remains the former fusion of Italian and Hungarian cuisines with various pasta dishes such as lumaconi with squid and crab, and spaghetti with South Tyrolean ham. The menu still has room for creativity, with traditional main dishes and desserts re-imagined and re-conceived for presentation.
Gusto13 also lets guests into the cellar to browse the wines in case nothing on the current list appeals. Given the selection, this seems unlikely, as they even have rare local items such as BalatonBor by Jásdi Cellar. With Sauvignon Blanc from Villa Tolnay and a Kéknyelű variety by Csendes Dűlő, local flavors are easily found. There’s also a wide range of craft beers from Hungarian breweries, including Balaton's very own Hedon.
