Czech Food
“It was raining heavily, the dark, cobbled streets of the city of Prague glistening with lights from the shops and street lamps. Trams trundled by looking cosy and steamy. ”
I always love the first few minutes in a different country. The images are all the more intense and enchanting especially on a night like this. In the baroque quarters of Prague’s Old Town, the small restaurants and bars looked alluring, snug and welcoming.
It was time for dinner and raining heavily, the dark, cobbled streets glistening with lights from the shops and street lamps. Trams trundled by looking cosy and steamy. I love the first few minutes in a different country, the images seeming more intense and enchanting. And on a rainy night, everything looks snug and welcoming especially in the baroque Old Town. Restaurants in this quarter tend towards the traditional; schnitzel and goulash. I’m not keen on stews and bread-based dumplings. Vegetables it seems are only served on special occasions here! Fortunately, there is plenty of variety. We stopped in at the Dutch Pub, a well-appointed steak and burger joint with a Dutch theme that concoct a splendid spread including fresh fish dishes.
Even on a wet night, downtown Prague is popular. You’ll see groups from Sweden, Denmark, Holland and the UK, often stag or hen parties but all in good spirits. One of the reasons is cost! Hotels are similar in price to the UK but you save considerably on food and drink. A glass of Pilsner for instance costs around €1.50 and a decent dinner could come in around €15 to €20 per head - including wine!
“Restaurants in the quarter tend towards the traditional; schnitzel and goulash. ”
If you want to range more exotically you can dine on the likes of Česnečka (garlic soup) or Moravský vrabec (Moravian sparrow). It’s a sparrow in name only and consists yet again of pork, dumplings and cabbage. The Czechs do this I believe because they got so tired of meat, cabbage and dumplings - so they give their dishes weird and wonderful names. I get where they’re coming from! I’m not so keen on stews and bread-based dumplings. Beyond cabbage, vegetables are a rarity also, served is seems only on special occasions!
Fortunately, the Czech Republic has ejected its Communist Block shackles when it comes to affairs of the kitchen and there is plenty of variety to be found. We stopped in at the Dutch Pub, a well-appointed steak & burger joint with a Dutch theme who concoct a splendid spread including fresh fish dishes.
International influences can be detected everywhere around Prague nowadays. There is a Czech-Vietnamese community who have opened up a series of Pho Bars which are fast, friendly and so delicious.
THE THREE BEST EATERIES IN PRAGUE
KOLKOVNA
Pure Czech cuisine where sparkling pale ale flows from the middle of what looks like a giant copper brew kettle, delivered by the fistful by strong-armed waiters. Kolkovna is a great local cuisine experience and the ideal evening if you want to share traditional Czech platters. It’s hearty stuff served with baskets of dark brown bread, legs of lamb and earthy mash all coming at you in good quantity.
www.kolkovna.cz/en
KOGO (ALBATROSS) The Kogo restaurant at Albatross Golf Club is set up inside the swankiest clubhouse in the country. The clubhouse design is super-slick and the Kogo restaurant takes up a commanding corner with a wide-open terrace from which to dine and whine about the number of balls you lost to the lakes.
www.kogo.cz/kogo-albatross/aktuality/
LA BODEQUITA DEL MEDIO
Modelled on the famous restaurant of the same name in Havana (Cuba), which claims to be the birthplace of the Mojito, this is a Cuban Cocktail Bar in old Colonianial Havana style - with music to match. The atmosphere in the restaurant is casual, a bit chaotic but in a good way. Best bet is to sit on the high stools in the corner and go to work on the pork tenderloin - because it’s simply superb!
www.labodeguitadelmedio.cz/en
