If tables could talk… This table is steeped in the atmosphere of the old Pozsonyi Road, the ‘Made in Hungária’ spirit, and the memory of a legendary regular.
– A storytelling table about Miklós Pényő –
A glance. A gesture. A conversation.
Coffee-house life isn’t just an activity; it’s part of life.
Megjegyzésbe írd be: Fenyő Miklós asztala
If tables could talk, at this table
Perhaps we would listen to stories from the past with a smile.
Our table in Dunapark still remembers it today.
It preserves one of the most distinctive aspects of Hungarian rock and roll
the legacy of his work, which is associated with the Hungária era and
Through her solo career, she has also taught generations to dance and
to live, having proved that the recipe for the best days is
It starts with people, and continues with a good cup of coffee
…and is rounded off with a lovely dinner, of course
in a great atmosphere.
We too would like to keep this way of life alive, and, with the revitalised Dunapark, to bring back that special atmosphere in which the residents of Újlipótváros can once again feel at home within the walls of our iconic café.
What did Dunapark mean to you and Miklós? The café – did they have any special connection to it?
Erika: It was primarily Miklós who had a strong attachment to the place, as he’d been coming here since the 1970s. He and his friends from the neighbourhood would always meet up at Dunapark, have a good chat, have a drink, and often organise poker parties. Often late at night, even after a gig, this was where they’d meet up with the lads; they’d get together, have a drink, and then, as closing time approached, carry the „party” on at one of their flats, where the poker would go on until dawn. He had a close-knit group of friends, and this was definitely their regular haunt. Later, in the 1990s, I was also part of his life and we’d come here together for breakfast and lunch. I remember we used to order scrambled eggs with mushrooms for breakfast. That was the first time I’d ever had scrambled eggs with mushrooms, and I really loved them. Later on, I used to make our breakfast like that at home too; it was a regular dish.
Do you have any personal memories or short stories that particularly capture the experience of the Dunapark Café?
Erika: I can’t recall any specific stories at the moment, but I can certainly say that the most important stages of his career began right here. This is where he organised all his meetings, and it was here that agreements were reached. This is where the brainstorming and negotiations took place. It’s fair to say that great things were conceived in that café. For example, all his discussions relating to the film *Made in Hungária* took place here, and he also met with the guests for the *Fenyő* concerts here to work out the songs. The original *Made in Hungária* musical, staged at the József Attila Theatre
Its author, István Tasnádi, also spoke here about his life story, which served as the basis for the script of the play.
Furthermore, whenever a TV company approached him for an interview, those were filmed here too. Many of his TV appearances are linked to Dunapark. He also gave almost all of his interviews to journalists here.
In your opinion, what is it that gives such an iconic building or venue its true
its value to the life of the neighbourhood?
Erika: I think this is a very important and iconic
a venue whose most important feature is that it is in the neighbourhood and
is perhaps a legendary institution even for those from beyond the neighbourhood, which
a cultural and community centre that evokes an upper-middle-class atmosphere.
It is also an architectural masterpiece. Béla Hofstätter and Ferenc Domány
design. The descriptions reveal that a special ventilation system was installed to channel fresh air from the Danube.
Dunapark House, the most elegant apartment block in the neighbourhood
its landmark building and café. So its very appearance and the
It is the legend that has grown up around it that gives it its value.
What were Miklós’s favourite drinks from the DunaPark drinks menu?
Erika: During the day, he always asked for a coffee, which he liked so much that they served it to him in a larger glass
espresso, and a separate pot of hot water. He poured the water into the coffee in whatever proportions he fancied. With his coffee,
He always gave me the little biscuits he had with him, which I ate with great relish. He never ate sweets.
As well as his coffee, he always asked for a tomato drink and the spices on the side. He seasoned it to his own taste and
He loved it very much. In the evenings, he usually drank white wine mixed with soda water.
Are there any thoughts or ideas relating to Miklós, or
A memory you’d like to share?
Erika: One more thing: he was fascinated by the building’s history. He collected photos of it. We even have several old photos of the building in our flat, dating back to the 1940s. He also tracked down the original blueprints, which revealed that there used to be a sun terrace on the roof for residents’ use, and that there were even showers back in the day. If I remember correctly, there was also a
A cinema was also planned for the building.
Even as a small child, he used to gaze in awe at this palace. It had always been his greatest wish to have a flat in this building. Over the past 25 years, we’ve moved closer and closer to it; first we lived opposite it at 49 Pozsonyi Street, then around 2006 we moved to number 40, into Tamás Major’s flat. In 2010, he managed to buy a beautiful home here at 38 Pozsonyi Street, overlooking the Danube.
Interview: With Erika Balogh
Miklós Fenyő – Made in Hungary
