On the way up again

– After “developing” Alabárdos into one of the best restaurants in Hungary, you have left to launch Apetito. It has not become the success everybody expected. – It depends on what we call success. 44 000 guests in the first year in this category cannot be interpreted as failure. I am sure that our menu is in line with 21st century trends and we also present wines in a unique way. Of course, we have made mistakes as well. – …which have lead you to some conclusions? – Attention needs to be paid to every detail! We have incurred a lot of costs we had not been prepared for. We have only recognised most of the problems we have to deal with after opening the restaurant. A restaurant not only requires a lot of money but a lot of human resources as well. – You are still here in Apetito. What are your plans? – I am staying till the end of June as an advisor. I also work as an advisor for other restaurants, but I have given up my plans for opening a restaurant in Spain, for the moment. – It was rumoured that the restaurant is to be taken over by Dr. Ákos Niklai. But he backed down. – Yes. This has not done much good to the reputation of the restaurant, but I don’t know much about the details of this transaction. It is not inconceivable that I will play a more substantial role after the 1st of July. – Test by Étterem és Borkalauz 2008 took place in the transitional period. How did they see Apetito? We got 9 points, which I believe is not bad, considering that we operated with inexperienced staff at the time. It is not a bad score in a publication which cannot be regarded as independent. – Will you continue your social activities? Of course. I have not changed. I participate in the activities of all major trade organisations.