A century of glamour at a dinner to remember
Esplanade, one of the oldest hotels in Zagreb, celebrated its 100th anniversary with an impressive celebration on its legendary Oleander terrace . The elegant party, attended by prime minister, ministers, ambassadors, city mayor and numerous guests from the business and cultural life of Croatia, was a blend of the glamour of the past times, the modern present and the bright future of luxury hospitality, enriched with savory and sweet delicacies, fine wines and adorable cocktails.
Under the creative leadership of Krešimir - Tadija Kapulica, with impressive production and dramaturgy, guests experienced an evening filled with emotions, top-notch entertainment and visual spectacle. The impressive architecture of the Esplanade was the central motif of the event . Built in 1925 to provide luxurious accommodation for Orient Express passengers on their train journey, the hotel has hosted numerous royal families, world stars, political leaders and artists over the decades and has become synonymous with impeccable service, exceptional architecture and art deco design. In short, the Esplanade is a cult place that has been at the center of the most important social and cultural events of the capital and the country for a whole century.
Esplanade's chef de cuisine, Ana Grgić Tomić (Chef of the Year 2022 by Gault&Millau Croatia) and her entire team of sous chefs, cooks and pastry chefs - who gathered in a historic photo - prepared a unique feast for the guests. The menu included goose liver, truffle dishes, caviar, marinated tuna in soy and sesame, poached oysters, marinated shrimp, steak tartare, a magnificent selection of cheeses on a trolleys, irresistible desserts and the inevitable Esplanade štrukli. They have been prepared according to the same recipe for almost half a century, and Zagreb Cheese produced by Dukat has been their indispensable ingredient for decades. Esplanade's pastry chef Mirjana Špoljar has been masterfully preparing them for thirty years, sometimes up to a thousand pieces a day.
A special surprise and the cherry on top of this unique evening appeared high up on the hotel balcony around midnight: opera diva Tamara Radjenovic left the audience breathless with her performance of the song "Let this whole world be" by Alfi Kabiljo and Milan Grgić. The young singer, a new icon of classical music who captivates audiences from London, via New York to Tokyo, is a symbol of the new generation of famous guests at the Esplanade.
"Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Esplanade Hotel is not just a celebration of a century of history, but also a recognition of all those who, with their work and passion, have shaped this hotel into a symbol of Zagreb, Croatian and European hospitality. I would like to thank all our employees, partners and clients who, with their commitment and trust, have enabled the Esplanade to remain a meeting place for history, culture and luxury. This celebration is a confirmation of our commitment to excellence and hospitality and our desire to continue to be proud guardians of tradition and innovation in the heart of Zagreb in the future" - said Ivica Max Krizmanić, General Manager of the Esplanade Hotel.
Photos - Bruno Fantulin, Goran Jakuš & Mario Poje
