Merging Sensibilities

Yesterday, was a day for walking and more walking. It was about exploring Budapest's many gorgeous neighborhoods and attractions. While strolling through one of trendiest parts of town, I spotted Menza, an úber cool and modish restaurant frequented by a young and hip crowd (and apparently the place to see and be seen). Although its name refers to canteens from the Socialist era, its interior design and cuisine provides a more sophisticated take on the past, fine tuned to match contemporary sensibilities by merging the savoir vivre of modern downtown restaurants with the relaxed atmosphere of Budapest's 1960s coffee bars. The fare was delicious, but the decor and ambiance even more so. It was a mix of 1970's chic with a casual contemporary flair. 

One of the things that caught my eye was the exquisite and unexpected combination of textures and patterns — from dainty florals to funky geometric patterns. The walls were decorated with fun and whimsical materials and wallpapers from Kesztölc, sourced from Jószerencset Co-operative that fortunately survived three decades. The piece de resistance: gray acoustic tiles that dress up one of the main walls in the place. Most definitely, this was the right spot to hit on our second night in this enchanting capital. I highly recommend it!

Images via Menza Restaurant