PRAGUE - KISADO

36 RESTAURANTS
Valentine‘s Day
While the holiday tradition here only dates back postrevolution
– the retail industry has strongly embraced
the love fest that is February 14. Allow them to guilt you
into taking the lovely one in your life out for a romantic
night on the town. Here are some amorous choices.
Reservations strongly recommended – the day of and
weekend before.
Aromi
Mánesova 78
Praha 2
222 713 222
If romantic dinner to you means slurping a plate of spaghetti
together, Aromi is one of the nicest Italian restaurants
in town. Simple and beautiful, plus fresh seafood.
Czechouse Grill
Pobřežní 1 (Inside Hilton Prague Hotel)
Praha 8
224 841 111
Who says Czech food isn’t romantic? If it’s prepared by
the Czechouse Grill’s chef you’ll certainly sigh lovingly.
One of the nicest places around – service is perfect, the
atmosphere is quiet, and one of the only places in town
serving USDA Prime beef.
Celeste
Rašínovo nábřeží 80
Praha 2
608 941 941
Romantic French food? Or amazing view? Don’t decide,
take her to Celeste located on the seventh floor of the
Dancing House. Surprisingly, the kitchen doesn’t use the
view to detract from their excellent cuisine.
Le Degustation
HaStalskA 18
Praha 1
222 311 234
For a feast experience try the seven course meal at Le
Degustation. Often considered one of the top places
to dine (with an excellent wine list) in Prague; Czech
specialties are artfully created and presented. There’s
a smaller menu available if you don’t think you’ve got
seven courses in you.
Thai
Modrý zub F-4, Praha 1, Jindřišská 5, MMůstek, tel.
(+420) 222 21 26 22, www.modryzub.com. The Blue
Tooth looks like an Ikea café until you notice the bowls of spicy
noodles and curry being served by cheerful waitresses and
devoured by happy punters. This noodle bar takes Thai fast
food to a higher level with delicious curries, made to order
glass, rice and yellow noodle dishes, sushi, maki, soups and
salads. Excellent service, lovely spot, NYC carton take out
boxes. Oh, and hot means hot. Blue is a theme: sister venues
are similarly cool Ultramarin and Blue Light. Q Open 09:00
- 23:00. Thu, Fri & Sat 09:00 - 24:00. (60 - 180Kč). TS
NOI A4, Praha 1, Újezd 19, MMalostranská, tel. (+420)
257 31 14 11, info@noirestaurant.cz, www.noirestaurant.
cz. A serene Thai restaurant, and thank goodness for that. Quality
Thai food is often hard to find here, but NOI brings authentic
Thai chefs to prepare its tom yam koong, khao pad koong and
khao pad kai. Lovely staff and a Zen interior complete the experience.
QOpen 9am - midnight. 150-290kč. PAGBXS
Orange Moon F-2, Praha 1, Rámová 5, MNám. Republiky,
tel. (+420) 222 32 51 19, www.orangemoon.cz. Reservations
are recommended if you want to enjoy authentic Thai, Burmese
and Indian dishes in this two-toned orange restaurant. In addition
to rare finds like lychee nuts and exotic juices, Orange Moon also
provides plenty of eye candy in the form of fantastic Southeast Asian
photographs. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. Also at Praha 3, Palác Flóra,
Vinohradská 151, tel. 222 74 20 38. (150 - 300Kč). A
SaSaZu K-1, Praha 7, Bubenské nábřeží 306, MVltavská,
tel. 284 09 74 44, info@sasazu.com, www.
sasazu.com. Hip and stylish new Thai/Asian restaurant in
the always emerging Holešovice district. The wow factor of
the décor hasn’t yet transferred to the menu or service; which
right now we’ll generously put down to growing pains. Current
notables include the Thai papaya salad; Ga curry, SaSa crispy
roll and the red beef curry. Maybe skip dinner and just hit the
other half of the reconstructed warehouse building; which is
a dance club. QOpen 11:00 - 03:00. 110-295 Kč. AEK
Shiso Praha 1, U Milosrdných 6, MStaroměstská, tel.
222 31 26 77, shiso@lsclub.cz, www.shiso.cz. For an elegant
Asian meal, Shiso is the place to go. Part of a private club
it is open to the public. The kitchen is manned by British chef
Paul Day; who has done stints in a number of high-end Asian
restaurants. The black pepper baby back ribs, beef massaman
curry and the duck watermelon salad are excellent glimpses
at the pairing of the unusual on offer at Shiso. Do watch your
bill for add-ons, and they also include a service charge. Said
service can be haughty, but again for dining and style Shiso is
tops. QOpen 19:00 - 23:00. Closed Mon, Sun. 210-650 Kč.
Siam Orchid I-3, Praha 1, Na Poříčí 21, MNám. Republiky,
tel. (+420) 222 31 94 10, www.siamorchid.cz.
Evocative aromas entice to this hidden first floor restaurant.
While the authenticity of the place is not added to by the
décor, the Thai massage next door (600Kč/hr), Singha beer
and mention of farangs on the menu point to a real Thai dining
experience. And the food doesn’t disappoint. A true and
delicious slice of Siam in a very Czech courtyard. QOpen
10:00 - 22:00. (120 - 200Kč). B
Vegetarian
Beas F-2, Praha 1, Týnská 19, MStaroměstská, tel.
(+420) 608 03 57 27, www.beas-dhaba.cz. Original Indian
metal trays hold your chosen veggie menu - small or large curry
meal, noodles, parantha menu, the massive thali and more.
Prague In Your Pocket prague.inyourpocket.com
Desserts and lassi are also available and tables have jugs
of free water to quench the small fires the somewhat spicy
dishes produce. Excellent and deservedly popular. QOpen
11:00 - 20:00, Sun 11:00 - 18:00. (70 - 130Kč). PGBS
Clear Head (Lehká hlava) D-4, Praha 1, Boršov 2,
MNárodní třída, tel. (+420) 222 22 06 65, www.lehkahlava.
cz. Healthy and delicious, this veggie place doesn’t take itself too
seriously and despite the name, does serve alcohol. The open
kitchen produces ratatouille, pasta, salads, burritos and more,
with tofu (try it smoked) and eggplant high on the menu. Fresh
juices can be combined to detox while you sit and chill, eat and
chat in the cool décor of their three distinct rooms. Tricky to find,
down a small alley, but worth it. QOpen 11:30 - 23:30, Sat, Sun
12:00 - 23:30. Open 11:30 - 24:00. (80 - 150Kč). NG
Country Life E-3, Praha 1, Melantrichova 15, MMůstek,
tel. (+420) 224 21 33 66, www.countrylife.cz. From
humble beginnings as a take-away bar, this place is packed
at lunchtimes with long queues at the caféteria-style counter.
That’s because even non-vegetarians are impressed
by the salads, pizza and soups. QOpen 09:00 - 20:30, Fri
09:00 - 16:00, Sun 11:00 - 20:30. Closed Sat. Also at H-4,
Jungmannova 1. (75 - 150Kč). GPTU
Maitrea E-2, Praha 1, Týnská 6, MStaroměstská, tel.
(+420) 221 71 16 31, info@maitrea-restaurant.cz, www.
maitrea-restaurant.cz. Maitrea is the sister vegetarian restaurant
to the widely popular Lehka Hlava. Located in Old Town, they
currently have a rather small menu, but an excellent lunch special
consisting of a rotating soup, main and water for 105 Kč. Their
décor is a bit tamer than their wilder sister, but the same fresh
quality and inventiveness is here. The couscous with broccoli
and fennel is fabulous, as is the baked vegetables with pesto.
QOpen 11:30 - 23:30, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 23:30. 100-140 Kč.
Veg Food Praha 2, Londýnská 35, MIP Pavlova, tel.
(+420) 222 51 50 06/(+420) 721 25 52 53, info@
vegfood.cz, www.vegfood.cz. A new and welcome nonmeat
addition to the pork-heavy dining scene. Veg Food is
fairly Asian, with many soy and tofu meat alternatives. The
flavors are mild, but you will taste them; vegetables are fresh
and the staff is welcoming. Seek it out, even carnivores will
be pleased. QOpen 10:30 - 21:00, Sat, Sun 11:30 - 21:30.
Wine bars
Bandol F-2, Praha 1, Týnská 1, MStaroměstská, tel.
(+420) 222 32 15 21, www.hotelcernyslon.cz. Located
in the quaint brick cellar of a medieval building across the
narrow street from Týn Church, Bandol offers a good selection
of local and European wines as well as a full menu of
international dishes from the restaurant on the ground floor.
QOpen 18:00 - 02:00. AE
Bokovka H-5, Praha 1, Pštrossova 8, tel. (+420) 605 22
86 68. Czech and international wines in the heart of Prague
opened by film directors Jan Hřebejk (Pupendo, Horem pádem)
& David Ondřiček (Samotári). Large wine list and there is no
smoking to mess with the taste buds. QOpen 16.00 - 01.00,
Fri, Sat 16.00 - 03.00. G
U Sudu Praha 1, Vodičkova 10, MMůstek, tel. (+420)
222 23 22 07, www.usudu.cz. What looks like a small
wine bar from street level descends into a labyrinth of
deeper, darker and often dirtier rooms and corridors packed
full of students (old and young) and smoke. You might need
to employ Ariadne’s trick to get out of here again… Wine is
the forte but beer and other drinks are available too. QOpen
08:00 - 04:00. K
prague.inyourpocket.com
RESTAURANTS
Sunday Brunches
Bellevue
Smetanovo nábř. 18
Praha 1
222 221 443
Sundays: 11:00-15:00
They advertise a buffet brunch without leaving your seat.
You can work that out for yourself, however the Bellevue
is one of the nicest restaurants in town and their brunch
is no exception.
Brassiere M
Vladislavová 17
Praha 1
224 054 070
Sundays: 12:00-16:30
For a little French with your brunch. Always a classy joint,
their brunch spread is lovely to look at and sampling the
goodies is a definite treat.
La Rotonde
Štěpánská 40
Praha 1
222 820 000
One of the best. Live jazz, international delicacies featuring
Czech specialties, all in La Rotonde’s Art Deco space.
If you like your seafood first thing in the morning – this
is your best bet. Inside the Radisson SAS Alcron Hotel.
Sundays: 12:00-15:30
Movenpick Hotel Restaurant
Mozartová 261/1
Praha 5
257 153 232
Sundays: 11:00-15:00
Offering Swiss and Czech specialties, the Movenpick is
a great choice if you are staying in the Anděl/Smichov
area or are bringing the kids.
Purple Basil
Lucemburská 46
Praha 3
236 088 210
Sundays: 12:00-16:00
Offering a solid selection of grilled items, salads and
desserts. The Purple Basil is a Mediterranean themed
restaurant so expect flavours from the region as well.
Open kitchen makes this a casual choice; inside the
Courtyard by Marriott.
Zlatá Praha Restaurant
Nám Curieových 43/5
Praha 1
296 631 111
Sundays: 11:00-15:00 – 990kč
Probably the most elegant brunch spot in town,
mainly due to Zlatá Praha’s fabulous views. Live jazz
accompany an eclectic food line-up. Inside the Intercontinental
Hotel.
More restaurants? Go to
www.inyourpocket.com
February - March 2010
37