Hungarian Restaurant, Cultural Hub Coming To Upper East Side

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A new cultural center is bringing a slice of Hungarian cooking and traditions to the Upper East Side.

Tulipán Kitchen, the forthcoming restaurant, will open on the ground floor of the Tulipan Foundation's new five-floor townhouse on Madison Avenue, between East 80th and East 81st streets.

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The townhouse will also include a gallery and event space, retail space, offices, and a few apartments for visiting artists-in-residence.

Prior to the Tulipán Foundation, the building housed a LeSportSac flagship store, which closed in 2019.

The privately funded nonprofit foundation was created in 2020 to celebrate Hungarian arts and culture, in memory of Réka Darida, who was committed to this cause.

Since its founding, it has awarded grants to artists here and in Hungary and has hosted immersive cultural events.

Tulipán Kitchen is planned as part of its cultural center — a neighborhood restaurant inspired by Hungarian food and traditions.

Monika Krausz, the executive director of the foundation, told Community Board 8 that the restaurant will feature cultural programming as well as regular dining service.

"We don't want this to feel like a traditional cultural institution, but rather we want it to be a place where people can experience art, music, and literature, conversation, but also gather around the table and share food," Krausz said. "And that is why Tulipán Kitchen is such an important part of our concept."

The new restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and until 10 p.m. on weekends.

"It's not simply a restaurant that happens to be in our building, but it's a part of the cultural experience and the hospitality of the house," Krausz said. "We hope that our neighbors feel at home just as much as the diaspora of the Hungarian community."

The Tulipán Foundation and its restaurant will be located at 1065 Madison Ave.

Know of an opening or closing on the Upper East Side? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.