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Greek concept Kouzina adds to the strong Mediterranean theme |
HUNGARY. Leading food travel services company SSP has opened a range of new cafés and restaurants at Budapest Airport’s SkyCourt, which was inaugurated on 18 March and which opened to passengers yesterday.
SSP is investing €2.8 million in the project, which will result in the creation of 180 jobs. SSP operates 70% of the outlets at the new SkyCourt development.
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Hippopotamus is among the key restaurants in SSP’s branded portfolio at the new Budapest Airport SkyCourt |
As reported in our on location story from the terminal opening, among the brands to feature include the well-known local restaurant Gundel, as well casual dining concept Hippopotamus, Asian brand Yum Cha, the Greek Kouzina, Italian concept Negroni , SSP’s core bakery brand Upper Crust, a bespoke-designed café called Neo and international favourite Burger King.
SSP said: “Bringing the glorious authentic flavours of Hungary to the airport, the illustrious Gundel is among Hungary’s most famous restaurants. It serves a tempting traditional Hungarian dishes, including local delicacies such as Mangaliza pork charcuterie and the renowned Gundel chocolate cake, which is also available in gift boxes. The offer has been tailored to meet the demands of the airport environment, and a new menu has been specially created.
“The history of the iconic restaurant dates back to 1910, when Karoly Gundel took over the lease of a restaurant at Budapest’s City Park. Today that restaurant is renowned as one of the city’s finest, having received a plethora of awards and accolades – most recently the coveted Time Out award for the city’s best Sunday Lunch and a recommendation in the 2010 Michelin Guide. A “˜must-see’ for visitors to the city, Gundel lists royalty and presidents among its distinguished former guests.”
Hippopotamus’ new Budapest outlet was inspired by the casual dining of America. It made its first appearance in Paris in 1968, and since that time the brand has been specialising in grilled steaks, salads, fish and chicken.
A food court offers customers a further selection of category-leading brands to cater for all tastes, said SSP. The menu at Yum Cha includes a number of Asian favourites, including sweet and sour chicken, stir fried beef with oyster sauce, duck teriyaki alongside sushi, maki, noodles and rice, all freshly prepared at the counter. Kouzina offers generous portions of home-made Greek cuisine. The Mediterranean theme continues at Italian restaurant Negroni, where visitors will find pizza, stromboli, or a choice of pastas freshly prepared at the counter. In addition, an Upper Crust will offer a selection of freshly prepared baguettes.
These restaurants are complemented by a Burger King, and a Neo cafe, which serves freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, desserts and a wide range of hot and cold drinks.
Commenting on the new outlets Alan Bork, Consumer Director of Budapest Airport, said: “The development by SSP provides a great mix of offers that will appeal to a broad range of customers from families to business travellers. A commercially strong offer, it includes an impressive line-up of international big brands as well as offers that allow our visitors to enjoy a real flavour of Hungary.”
SSP’s Christos Orthodoxou, who heads the company’s Hungarian operation, said that the new venture would offer considerable scope for development.
“Passenger numbers at Budapest are expected to increase by up to +40% within the next three years. As the gateway to Hungary, the food & beverage at the airport will showcase the finest foods of the region, and meet the needs of all travellers, whether they want a snack to grab and go, or a full three-course meal. The new development already looks great, and we are confident that this new business will be very successful.”
The company will also be opening a number of new outlets in the second phase of the development, scheduled to open later this year.
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Negroni and Neo add variety and diversity to the line-up at Budapest Airport’s SkyCourt |