PRAGUE - KISADO

24 RESTAURANTS
The Czech Menu
The Czech language is notoriously difficult for foreign
tongues to get to grips with, not only for the unusual
letters, but also because it is a heavily declined language.
Your menu will hold various variations on the theme, but
with the following words as a basis, you should be able
to figure out what’s in your mouth.
bez masa without meat
biftek beefsteak
brambor potato
domácí home made
dušené steamed
grilované grilled
guláš goulash, the Czech staple
hermelín brie, often pickled with garlic and
eaten with beer
hovězí beef
hranolky chips/french fries
jehněčí lamb
jídelní lístek food menu
jídlo food
knedlíky dumplings
kuře chicken
losos salmon
na roštu roasted
nápojový lístek drinks menu
niva blue cheese
oběd lunch
řízek schnitzel
ovoce fruit
palačinky crepe
pečené baked
pivní sýr beer cheese, hard and served
with paprika and onion, eaten
with beer
plněné stuffed
přílohy side dishes
polévka soup
pstruh trout
ryba fish
rýže rice
sekaná meatloaf; looks awful, tastes
good
slanina bacon
smažené fried
smažený sýr fried cheese, surprisingly good
snídaně breakfast
svíčková beef in cream sauce
sýr cheese
špíz grilled and skewered
šunka ham
těstoviny pasta
utopenec a.k.a. drowned man, pickled
sausage, eaten with beer
uzené smoked
vařené boiled
večeře dinner
vepřové pork
vepřové koleno pork knee, particularly
carnivorous
vinný lístek wine menu
zelenina vegetables
U Kalicha I-6, Praha 2, Na Bojišti 12, MI.P. Pavlova, tel.
(+420) 296 18 96 00, www.ukalicha.cz. The pub that features
at the beginning of the Czech literary classic ‘The Good Soldier
Švejk’ as the planned location of the never-to-be meeting “...at six
in the evening after the war.” An oompah band keeps the atmosphere
rolling. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. (150 - 300Kč). PAEG
U Pinkasů E-4, Praha 1, Jungmannovo nám. 16,
MMůstek, tel. (+420) 221 11 11 50, www.upinkasu.
cz. The presence of locals is encouraging in this beer hall
whose not unimpressive claim to fame is that of being the first
pivnice in Prague to have Pilsner Urquell on draught. A commemorative
plaque and a tap mark the spot where this country’s
most renowned beer began to flow in 1843. In today’s
establishment you’ll find a courtyard terrace and two floors of
beer swilling and sausage eating. More elegant no-smoking
rooms are available for dining; the menu, although traditional,
is uninspired. QOpen 10:00 - 03:00. (150 - 200Kč). AB
Chinese
Fu Hao H-5, Praha 1, Křemencova 10, MNárodní třída, tel.
(+420) 721 87 35 37. Just look for the enormous Chinese vases
in the windows opposite Prague’s most celebrated beer hall, U
Fleků, to find this friendly restaurant decorated in the usual faux
Chinese fashion. Although the menu is on the simplistic side, the
dishes are delicious. Not surprisingly, given we’re in the Czech Republic,
the duck is excellent. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00. (60-100 Kč).
Huang He K-7, Praha 10, Vršovická 1, tel. (+420) 271
74 66 51, www.huanghe.cz. Chinese as good as it should
be; they spice the food up properly then warn Czech clients not
to order that dish. Enjoy the hot and sour soup, but everything
else on the menu is worth ordering, too. Tram N°6 from from
I.P. Pavlova to the Nádrazí Vršovice stop. Reservations recommended.
QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. Also in Prague 9, Kolbenova
1, tel. 283 89 05 18. (100 - 300Kč). AGP
NEW
Peking Praha 4 - Pankrác, Pujmanové 10, MPankrác, tel.
241 73 06 88, info@peking.cz, www.pekingrestaurant.
cz. You‘re in Prague, not Beijing. But if a craving for Chinese
food suddenly strikes, head out into the hinterlands of Prague
4 for what most will say is the best Chinese in town. Dim sum,
har kau and their spring rolls are excellent starters, while main
course hits include Peking duck (be hungry!) and prawns with
mango. The restaurant is huge and groups are very welcome.
Lazy Susans sit on the tables - perfect for sharing. QOpen
11:30 - 15:30 & 17:30-23:00. (139 - 599Kč). PW
Czech
Baráčnická rychta A-2, Praha 1, Tržiště 23, MMalostranská,
tel. (+420) 257 53 24 61, www.baracnickarychta.cz.
This dark and cosy pub, aglow from the large copper
lighting fixtures, may be the perfect place to experience
the beauty of Czech winters, although in the warmer months
it may translate as a little stuffy. Either way the food is as
earthy and homemade as it comes in Prague. A must for those
wanting a downbeat, ‘real’ Czech eating experience. QOpen
11:00 - 23:00, Sun 11:00 - 21:00. (50 - 150Kč). AE
Bílá vrána Praha 3, Jagellonská 10, MJiřího z Poděbrad,
tel. (+420) 737 07 00 05, www.bilavrana.com. Czech pubs
are moving from their working class roots and employing inventive
chefs to elevate the seemingly similar menus they host. The
White Raven is no exception with even lunch specials inviting
compliments. Excellent service and quality join some English
elements (yet to be tried Sunday roast and Beamish in cans).
QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Sun 11:00 - 23:00. (90 - 300Kč). BSW
Prague In Your Pocket prague.inyourpocket.com
Bredovský dvůr F-4, Praha 1, Politických vězňů 13,
MHlavní nádraží, tel. (+420) 224 21 54 28, www.bredovskydvur.unas.cz.
Another modern version of the Czech
hospoda tradition, Bredovský dvůr delivers cellar ambience
dimly lit by funky lights, a long iron bar, cool furniture and excellent
kitchen. An extremely popular lunchtime attracts the crowds
with the 75kč menu until 2pm. The menu mimics the funky
and old world fusion of the décor, with Czech dishes tweaked
by international additions, pasta dishes providing a tasty and
cheap alternative, and big screen enticing the sports fans. Try
buck steak, venison goulash, or stick to old favourites. Additional
seating around the open kitchen is available at the rear. QOpen
11:00 - 24:00, Sun 11:00 - 23:00. (150 - 300Kč). PA
Budweiser Budvar Restaurant Praha 6, Aviatická
1092/8, tel. (+420) 224 24 25 77, www.restaurantletiste.cz.
In the cold environs of the new shopping centre
by the airport Marriott this Budvar restaurant hardly entices
with character. The traditional Czech cuisine is good and
although prices are higher than in town, it’s worth grabbing
a meal here before entering the vastly inflated prices of the
airport itself. The café next door has comfortable seats but
little else to attract other than there isn’t anything better at
the airport. QOpen 10:30 - 22:00. (120 - 440Kč). PTA
Celnice I-3, Praha 1, V Celnici 4, MNám. Republiky,
tel. (+420) 224 21 22 40, www.kolkovna.cz. An excellent,
upmarket restaurant owned by the Pilsner brewery
decorated with period photos and brewing equipment. The
menu includes all the Czech standards including pork knuckle
and rabbit, but Celnice also serves some more imaginative
and vegetarian options. Unfortunately, the large space can
get noisy when the downstairs bar turns up the volume later
in the evening. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00, Thu, Fri, Sat 11:00 -
04:00. (150 - 335Kč). PAGB
Ferdinanda I-4, Corner of Opletalova & Politických
věznů, MMuzeum, tel. (+420) 222 24 43 02, www.
ferdinanda.cz. Two floors, two bars, two big screens, many
tables, beer kegs, weird furnishings, and excellent service
bring Ferdinanda to the hardly parched but very welcoming
notice of Prague’s beer lovers. The food is good too with a delicious
gulaš and more. Speedy lunch specials and breakfast
menu add to their staples. Pivovar Ferdinand produces the
Sedm Kulí 13 degrees beer apparently named for the seven
bullets that killed Franz Ferdinand - the archduke, not the band.
QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. Closed Sun. (85 - 250Kč). GW
Folklore Garden Na Zlíchově 18, tel. (+420) 724 33
43 40, info@folkloregarden.cz, www.folkloregarden.
cz. If you’re not one to sit still during a meal, then this is the
restaurant for you. At Folklore Garden, you’re fed large portions
of traditional Czech food and beer, and simultaneously
entertained with a two and one-half hour show with live music
and folk dancing. Great fun if you’re in for a country-style party;
active participation is welcomed. Folklore Garden is south of
Smíchov; tram N°12, 14 or 20 to Hlubočepy. QOpen 20:00 -
22:30. (560 - 1050Kč). PAEB
Koliba U Pastýřky J-7, Praha 4, Bělehradská 15, MI.P.
Pavlova, tel. (+420) 222 56 43 35, www.pastyrka.cz.
Chow down on superbly grilled meat sizzling all around you
to really get those taste buds salivating. The Shepherdess’s
Cottage caters to Czechs and tour groups (private salons
seat up to 80 people) with trestle type dining to the tune of
traditional dulcimer Gypsy music. The wooden cottage was
built as a representative Czechoslovak restaurant for the
1967 World Exhibition in Montreal and shipped over here to
continue the Czech dining pleasure. QOpen 18:00 - 01:00.
(90 - 300Kč). EB
prague.inyourpocket.com
RESTAURANTS
Restaurace Monarch
V Kolkovně 6 - Praha 1
tel. (+420) 222 315 545
www.restauracemonarch.cz
Lví dvůr A-1, Praha 1, U Prašného mostu 6, MHradčanská,
tel. (+420) 224 37 23 61, www.lvidvur.cz. Loitering in a
small house at the northern entrance to the castle, the Lion’s
Court offers Czech cooking fit for royalty at princely prices.
The European wine selection is excellent and their kitchen
does amazing things to pork that we hadn’t dreamed possible.
QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (150 - 400Kč). PAB
Sovovy Mlýny B-3, Praha 1, U Sovových mlýnů 2,
MMalostranská, tel. (+420) 257 53 59 00, www.
sovovymlyny.com. The restaurant in the white mill building
on Kampa Island is especially recommended for its riverside
terrace; its low and so close to the Vltava lock canal that you
can almost clink glasses with the partying tourists on the boats
chugging to and from the Vltava locks. The menu includes many
decent fish dishes but dont let that distract you from the views
of the weir and Charles Bridge. Bring something warm and
mosquito repellent. QOpen , Mon, Thu, Sun 10:00 - 18:00,
Fri, Sat 10:00 - 22:00. Closed Tue, Wed. PAGB
Století C-4, Praha 1, Karolíny Světlé 21, MNárodní
třída, tel. (+420) 222 22 00 08, www.stoleti.cz. The
food is great value, the atmosphere lively and the service
fantastic. Even better, Století is one of the only restaurants
that is seriously attempting to progress Czech cuisine while
keeping it Czech at the same time. Plus, they are non-smoking
and offer take-away. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (150 - 300Kč).
PTAUIGBS
Švejk D-2, Praha 1, Široká 20, MStaroměstská, tel. (+420)
224 81 39 64. Someone spent some money (and not much by
the look of it) to make a new restaurant look old - basically what
a beer hall would look like in the Czech pavilion at the World Expo.
That said, Švejk restaurants are always good for traditional food
like duck, pork and wild boar served with dumplings, cabbage and
a local beer. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. (100 - 300Kč). A
Tlustá kachna D-2, Praha 1, Široká 4, MStaroměstská,
tel. (+420) 224 81 96 68, www.tlustakachna.cz. Imaginative
Czech cuisine can be done; and the Fat Duck is doing
it. Pork or duck with cabbage and dumplings isn’t new or
exotic; but done right it is delicious, and it’s done right here.
The must order though is the creamy garlic soup. Czech wine
and beer take care of the drinks. Two additional things stand
out; excellent service and big portions. Stop by. QOpen
11:00 - 24:00. 139-390kč.
February - March 2010
25