Veritas Winery has been on the Hungarian wine market since 1995, but only now did they decide to open their own wine bar (although we’d rather use the expression “wine bistro”) and showroom in Budapest, somewhat stretching the boundaries of the merchant’s role. In Dohány Street’s Veritas Winebar, designed by Viktor Csap, we can choose among 380 kinds of wine, from which 60 can be enjoyed by the glass, too.
While there are more and more “classic bars” in Budapest, it’s not all that common for professional wineries to open their own wine bars, offering dinners and thematic evenings. Veritas gained its professional background through time and experience, having spent decades in the wine market – ever since its founding in 1995. During this time, the winery established good business relationships with popular and modern wineries from all over the world, so we can’t help but wonder why they established a wine bar only now. However, the owners were in no hurry: they waited for the perfect design, kitchen crew, and the appropriate professional background for both advisers and sommeliers.
Part of the stylish interior can be seen from the street, through the spectacular picture windows. Designed by Viktor Csap, the space is made unique by numerous details, such as the large round mirrors, the bold use of color, and the highlighting of geometric shapes. Our favorite might be the wooden washbasin-like sofa and log-like stools in the “shop” window, although the jungle-themed wallpaper of the “basement” section doesn’t look half bad, either. The latter section was built from the neighboring store’s storage room; this is where we find the kitchen and the professional table, where training sessions and wine evenings will take place.
The complete bottled product selection of Veritas is available here, so we can choose from 380 kinds of wine, among which 60 can be tested by the glass. All products can be purchased on the spot, and we can take away opened bottles, as well. From October, Alíz Németh will work as the bar’s sommelier, and three-time sommelier champion Mátyás Szik will become a member of the team as a consultant. The wine bar will hold two wine dinners every month, one with the wines of a Hungarian vintner and another with the wines of a foreign winemaker – and knowing the extensive social network of Veritas, we can expect genuine specialties.
The kitchen is run by two chefs who are working together for the first time. Both Attila Jakab and Dániel Tőkés have spent some time abroad, either in Norway or in England, and both worked at high-class restaurants during their stay, experiencing a wide range of gastronomy. Veritas Winebar’s menu features the most characteristic dishes of Hungarian cuisine, prepared with regional, local ingredients – that is, in case those materials are high enough in quality – while some ingredients still come from abroad.
In addition to the short à la carte menu, the bar also offers daily specials and vegetarian/vegan options. From the current menu, we tasted a selection of Hungarian cheeses, including brie and blue goat cheese, served with toast and seasonal fruit chutney. We also tried the Mangalica ham platter and the roasted duck-liver paté, served with milk loaf and chutney – and however unconventional it might be in a wine bar, Veritas also serves Wiener schnitzel with dill cucumber salad. To conclude the meal, we ordered a rich chocolate tart, served with blackberry.
The prices of white wines ranges from 490 forints per 1.5 dl and 2,630 forints per bottle to 1,990 forints per 1.5 dl and 10,770 forints per bottle, while the prices of the red wines ranges from 690 forints per 1.5 dl to 2,990 forints per 1.5 dl. The bar’s selection of champagne is worth a try as well, with prices ranging from 3,700 to 22,000 forints per bottle.
