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SoWalSally

Beach Fanatic
Feb 19, 2005
649
49
Sandor Zombori joins Michel Atlas at Caf? Provence
By Deborah Wheeler

When Sandor Zombori sold his fi ne-dining restaurant in Seagrove Beach two years ago, he thought retirement would be a nice change from working long restaurant hours. Zombori discovered that contentment comes from doing what you love to do. What Zombori loves to do is cook.
The acclaimed chef?s passion has found a new home. Zombori has donned his chef?s hat once again and joins chef-owner Michel Atlas in the kitchen at Caf? Provence. It is a union that co-owner Connie Niehaus calls ?the cherry on top of the banana split.?
Zombori coming onboard as a member of the staff at the popular Santa Rosa Beach French restaurant brings together a unique meeting of culinary minds. Atlas will continue to manage the core menu consisting of French-Belgian influences and Zombori?s will compliment, bringing his own unique signature Hungarian items to the table, said Niehaus. The addition will allow Atlas more time to devote to teaching cooking classes and his new International Wine Fellowship, she said.
?It will be a wonderful venture,? said Atlas.
For Zombori, to be able to practice his creative craft again with a respected colleague without the burden of owning the restaurant is just what he wants.
?For 21 years, I owned my own business and I don?t need to do that any more,? said Zombori. ?Michel and I get along well and he lets me cook.?
Sandor?s fine dining was a staple on County Road 395 for 10 years and was ranked by Florida Trend magazine as one of the best restaurants in Florida. After selling, Zombori returned to his native Hungary, bought a vineyard and began making wine, with his fruits winning a silver and gold medal in their fi rst competition.
?But, it didn?t give me satisfaction. I couldn?t stay away from the kitchen and I missed America,? he said.
Zombori was 24 years old when he escaped communist Hungary 40 years ago. He is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Paris.
?I?m very glad to fi nd a home here (at Caf? Provence). It?s easier now than doing everything,? he said happily.
 

Beachbummette

SoWal Insider
Jul 16, 2005
5,742
209
Birmingham and Watersound
OMG! I love him :love: and so glad he is back! I did not think he could ever truly retire. Looks like Cafe' Provence for us next weekend! :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

If any of you ever have a change to sit down and talk to Sandor please do so....he has a fascinating life story!:love: Not to mention the grayt food he cooks!:clap_1:
 

goofer

Beach Fanatic
Feb 21, 2005
1,165
191
When I first came to Walton County in the summer of 2002 I had dinner at Sandor's. Even though the meal was extraordinary and the presentation very professional, I felt like the proverbial red-headed step child. There were three other tables at the restaurant being served, and every ten minutes little "tastings" were brought out to the other tables and my wife and I were ignored. The server would present the tastings to the other tables as "compliments" of the chef. I was insulted at the slight and expressed my annoyance to the server when I left. I can understand the freebees to regular customers but I had my reservation made for me by the proprietor of the Sugar Plum BB and I was present when the proprietor spoke directly to Sandor telling him to "take good care" of the couple he was sending.
I think it was just poor manners and bad business to give other clients preferential treatment especially when there were only 4 tables being served and I was referred personally by a fellow business-person on 30-A. I never went back. (maybe that is why he went out of biz ) :dunno:
Having said all of the above, I will definitely try Cafe Provence. Time heals all wounds especially where a good meal is concerned !! ;-)
 

JB

Beach Fanatic
Nov 17, 2004
1,445
40
Tuscaloosa
Sandor's was one of the best restaurants in the country.

I wonder whatever happened to the place he was going to open in Alabama? If I remember, it was to be a place in the middle of nowhere with it's own farm for the freshest possible ingredients. I guess it just never came to fruition.
 

ItzKatzTime

Beach Fanatic
Apr 27, 2006
2,660
292
Santa Rosa Beach
This is great! So glad to hear this for him. Retiring from a restaurant business after all he's put in it is very difficult. You can tell where his heart is. How wonderful for both Sandor and Cafe' Province.
 

Beachbummette

SoWal Insider
Jul 16, 2005
5,742
209
Birmingham and Watersound
When I first came to Walton County in the summer of 2002 I had dinner at Sandor's. Even though the meal was extraordinary and the presentation very professional, I felt like the proverbial red-headed step child. There were three other tables at the restaurant being served, and every ten minutes little "tastings" were brought out to the other tables and my wife and I were ignored. The server would present the tastings to the other tables as "compliments" of the chef. I was insulted at the slight and expressed my annoyance to the server when I left. I can understand the freebees to regular customers but I had my reservation made for me by the proprietor of the Sugar Plum BB and I was present when the proprietor spoke directly to Sandor telling him to "take good care" of the couple he was sending.
I think it was just poor manners and bad business to give other clients preferential treatment especially when there were only 4 tables being served and I was referred personally by a fellow business-person on 30-A. I never went back. (maybe that is why he went out of biz ) :dunno:
Having said all of the above, I will definitely try Cafe Provence. Time heals all wounds especially where a good meal is concerned !! ;-)

Dear Goofer...I am so sorry you had a bad experience....you should have come and sat with us! :D I will take you and Ms Goofer when you come next month to Cafe Provence....deal?:love: I am sure it was not done on purpose....he is a very generous host.


He did not go out of business ....he got a grayt offer on his property and decided to sell. Guess he missed us?!:D
 

drunkkenartist

Beach Fanatic
Dec 12, 2006
1,733
58
61
Sunny Hills, FL
www.drunkkenart.com
When I first came to Walton County in the summer of 2002 I had dinner at Sandor's. Even though the meal was extraordinary and the presentation very professional, I felt like the proverbial red-headed step child. There were three other tables at the restaurant being served, and every ten minutes little "tastings" were brought out to the other tables and my wife and I were ignored. The server would present the tastings to the other tables as "compliments" of the chef. I was insulted at the slight and expressed my annoyance to the server when I left. I can understand the freebees to regular customers but I had my reservation made for me by the proprietor of the Sugar Plum BB and I was present when the proprietor spoke directly to Sandor telling him to "take good care" of the couple he was sending.
I think it was just poor manners and bad business to give other clients preferential treatment especially when there were only 4 tables being served and I was referred personally by a fellow business-person on 30-A. I never went back. (maybe that is why he went out of biz ) :dunno:
Having said all of the above, I will definitely try Cafe Provence. Time heals all wounds especially where a good meal is concerned !! ;-)

Dear Goofer...I am so sorry you had a bad experience....you should have come and sat with us! :D I will take you and Ms Goofer when you come next month to Cafe Provence....deal?:love: I am sure it was not done on purpose....he is a very generous host.


He did not go out of business ....he got a grayt offer on his property and decided to sell. Guess he missed us?!:D


First of all let me say to Sandor:
:welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: back.
I cried when you closed!

Thank you Beachbummet for stepping up to the plate on this one. I just wrote a very lengthy response. Then thought better of it and erased it. Please help shed the light, that's all I'm going to say.;-)

Sandor's WAS the best Restaurant in the country. It WAS an honor to eat there. When President Bush came to the beach they shut down the whole block so he could have dinner there with Sandor, to be in the presence of Sandor.:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

I cherish every moment I've spent there. I cannot thank Brian (Margaux) enuff for introducing me to him. I'll never forget sitting in his office with Brian and Lauren till 2 in the morning listening to stories.:love: :D

This news of his return is the best news I've had in ages. Life is good.

It just got better.
 
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