A New Year’s Eve Crafted Through Wine, Food and Storytelling

By Mara, General Manager at The Portrait Restaurant

There is something truly special about New Year’s Eve at The Portrait Restaurant. Every year, our team works to make the evening feel both elegant and personal, and one of my favourite parts of the experience is curating the wine journey that accompanies the menu.

I’ve been working with wine for over ten years, and throughout that time I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the traditions and craftsmanship behind the producers. For this year’s New Year’s Eve menu, I wanted our wine pairings to stay true to those traditions while complementing the flavours our chefs have created for the evening.

Creating these pairings is never simply about selecting great wines. It’s about understanding the story behind each bottle, the people who produce it, and how it enhances a particular dish. In the months leading up to New Year’s Eve, I work closely with our suppliers, meeting with them regularly as our menu evolves.

This commitment to wine education extends beyond the pairings themselves. Over the past year, I’ve been working closely with one of our supervisors, Kristóf, as they train to become an assistant sommelier. Seeing their knowledge and confidence grow has been incredibly rewarding, and it strengthens our ability to deliver a truly memorable experience for our guests.

For me, hospitality is about creating meaningful connections. On New Year’s Eve, every guest’s experience should feel individual and personal. That’s why our team takes the time to explain each pairing throughout the evening, sharing insights into the producers, winemaking philosophies and the reasons each wine has been chosen for a particular course. These conversations often become some of the most memorable moments of the night, transforming a meal into an experience that guests can immerse themselves in.

Join us for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve at The Portrait Restaurant and experience a celebration where every dish, every wine and every story has been carefully chosen to mark the occasion. More information coming soon.