PRAGUE - Fringe

40
RESTAURANTS IN THE OLD TOWN
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
Prague In Your Pocket
V Zátiší D-3, Praha 1, Liliová 1, MMůstek, tel. 222
22 11 55, www.pfd.cz. A restaurant and wine bar that is
possibly the best in Prague. Indeed, the best things about it
(apart from the delicious pear-gorgonzola salad, the chocolate
parfait with raspberries and the perfect latte) are the relaxed,
intimate atmosphere, and the waiters who enjoy their jobs and
know their wines. Not to be missed. Q Open 12:00 - 15:00;
17:30 - 23:00. (600 - 1,500Kč). AGPU
Zahrada v Opeře I-5, Praha 1, Legerova 75, MMuzeum,
tel. 224 23 96 85, www.zahradavopere.cz. One of the
most stylish restaurants in Prague occupies the brutalist
former parliament building, which, by an ironic twist of fate,
also houses the well-guarded offices of Radio Free Europe.
Its inventive and often extravagantly presented dishes as
well as its proximity to the opera, ensure a loyal dinner crowd
each night.The multilingual staff doesn’t stop pampering until
the fat lady has sung. Now with a new South African inspired
menu and sushi on Thursdays. QOpen 11:30 - 01:00. (150
- 400Kč). AEPU
Italian
Cicala I-5, Praha 1, Žitná 43, MKarlovo nám., tel. 222
21 03 75. The entrance is nondescript, but once down inside
the cellar restaurant all doubts fade away. This place is good
- especially the plates of steaming cozze (mussles). But there
is more than seafood; great pasta, super wines, service with
charm, smiles and patience, and photos showing the great
and the good dining here. QOpen 11:30 - 22:30. Closed
Sun. (120 - 250Kč). AP
dANico E-2, Praha 1, Dlouhá 21, MNám. Republiky, tel.
222 31 18 07, www.danico.cz. The sleeper hit of Prague,
dANico presents a warm atmosphere, great service and
delicious Italian cuisine. With lamb and swordfish carpaccio,
vegetarian lasagne, home made tiramisu and some 300
Italian wines to complement your meal, this is becoming the
talk about town. Wines from 400Kč to four figures. QOpen
11:00 - 01:00. (160 - 470Kč). AGP
Don Giovanni C-3, Praha 1, Karolíny Světlé 34/208,
MNárodní třída, tel. 222 22 20 60, www.dongiovanni.
cz. This place has a fantastic view of Charles Bridge and the
castle. As with all Italian restaurants, the food is the thing,
and this is probably the best in town. Choose from starters
such as fresh pappardelle with cream sauce and Parma ham
or fulfilling mains such as scaloppina di vitello al limone o vino
marsala - every bit as tantalising as it sounds. QOpen 11:00
- 24:00. (250 - 450Kč). AEGIPTU
Giovanni E-3, Praha 1, Kožná 11, MStaroměstská,
tel. 221 63 26 05. The bits of exposed rock, the walls and
vaulted ceiling of this cosy restaurant are a respectable faux
medieval. Luckily, the stars, vines and other painted flora
won’t distract you from the menu, which is so extensive that
we gave up halfway through it. If it’s Italian and you want
it, chances are Giovanni’s got it and it’s good. The Balkan
breakfast sounds appealing, but avoid the bruschetta at all
costs. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. (100 - 350Kč). A
Kogo E-3, Praha 1, Havelská 27, MMůstek, tel.
224 21 45 43, www.kogo.cz. Kogo is one of the best
restaurants in Prague, for all number of reasons. Location,
service, consistent high quality food, and ambience. The
atmosphere is trendy and businesslike, full of movers and
shakers enjoying good pasta, seafood and one of the best
wine lists in the city. We love it. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00.
Also at F-3, Praha 1, Na příkopě 22 (Slovansky Dům). (120
- 250Kč). ABPTU
RESTAURANTS IN THE OLD TOWN
L’Angolo E-2, Praha 1, Dlouhá 7, MNáměstí Republiky,
tel. 224 82 93 55. A relaxing, upscale Italian “restaurant
lounge” set in a spacious corner building near to the Old Town
square. Diners are lured in by the sight of display cases with
tasty-looking pasta and vegetable dishes, and some deserts.
Apart from well-prepared Italian meat and fish dishes,
L’Angolo also has a wood-fired pizza oven adjacent to the
cellar seating area. A sister restaurant of the excellent Kogo,
L’Angolo has the impeccable service and great food that we
expected. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. ABP
Japanese
Hokkaido D-4, Praha 1, Národní 23, MNárodní třída,
tel. 224 21 18 88. Simply decorated in bamboo, paper
lamps and knock-off samurai swords, this small sushi bar
offers hot dishes as well as sashimi and sushi for exorbitant
prices considering the quality. If nothing else, a small shop is
also available which sells a great selection of Asian spices,
oils, beer and other cooking supplies. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00.
(250 - 350Kč). AS
Korea House I-5, Praha 2, Sokolská 52, MI. P. Pavlova,
tel. 224 26 62 46, www.koreahouse.cz. Paper
lanterns illuminate the yellow walls that feature manly
Asian men wrestling, shouting and smoking. The colourful
interior is as chaotic as the menu which lists both Korean
and Japanese specialities such as pibimbap and loads of
sushi. A celebrity has left a saucy slogan next to his picture
in mysterious characters, but it’s all Korean to us. The food
is good, but the servings could be bigger for all the cabbage
one has to pay. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. Closed Sun. (300
- 500Kč). APT
Made In Japan D-3, Praha 1, Křížovnická 4,
MStaroměstská, tel. 608 74 96 50, www.madeinjapan.cz.
The sushi bar by the Four Seasons captures
the raw tourist with a wide and colourful menu including
sashimi and nigri, roe and eel, while the sister restaurant
provides tempura and teriyaki. A good combo. A buy two
get one free happy hour runs from 15:00 - 18:00 at the
sushi bar. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. Also at E-4, Rytířská
10, tel. 224 235 604. Open 11:00 - 24:00. (100 - 500Kč).
AGPS
Man-na E-1, Praha 1, U Milosrdných 10, MStaroměstská,
tel. 222 32 01 01. A new Korean restaurant serving up spicy
kimchi, bulgogi (beef BBQ) and other Korean specialities such
as snails and octopus to stir fry and glazed pigs’ feet. If that
doesn’t tempt you, perhaps their 500Kč/hr karaoke room
might. Q Open 11:30 - 15:00, 18:00 - 23:00; 18:00 - 23:00
Sun. (200 - 350Kč). A
Millhouse Sushi-Kaitan F-3, Praha 1, Na Příkopě 22,
MNám. Republiky, tel. 222 71 60 03. In a bright shiny
space, bright and shiny Japanese plates whizz around on a
belt so that you can select which small bright and shiny food
you want. The savings on staff costs must be impressive.
The second venue is a take away kiosk with good, well priced
sushi plates. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. Also at I-4, Světozor
Pazasz, open 11:00 - 20:00, Sat & Sun 11:00 - 18:00. (200
- 1,000Kč). AP
Miyabi H-5, Praha 1, Navrátilova 10, MKarlovo nám.,
tel. 296 23 31 02, www.miyabi.cz. If you like your Japanese
a little more relaxed (and let’s face it, they are very formal),
then this intimate restaurant offers a café style at the front
of the house and private rooms at the back. Well-presented
food aimed at the non-expert. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Sat,
Sun 12:00 - 23:00. (250 - 500Kč). AGU
SushiPoint F-3, Myslbek Centre, Praha 1, Na Příkopě
19, MMůstek, tel. 608 64 39 23, www.sushipoint.
cz. In the sterile environs of a shopping centre is this warm
(with wood, bamboo and saki) and delicious sushi outlet.
Pleasingly clean design; check out the nifty menu niches so
you can examine the pictorial menu as you wait for your uni
nigiri, sashimi or maki rolls. Good wine, excellent service and
good sushi of course, raise this from typical mall fare. Take
away and delivery available. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. (180
- 600Kč). AS
YAMI E-2, Praha 1, Masná 3, MStaroměstská, tel.
222 31 27 56. A new venue touted by many as the best
sushi in town plus awesome bibimbap, saki and kimchi
that brings tears to eye - although their prices might also.
Décor is simple black, orange and bamboo. The house
specialty: the Yami roll is one of their big sushi mains: a
large log of omelette, crab, seaweed and beef sliced for
your pleasure. 400Kč buffet usually on the first Sunday of
the month. Recommended QOpen 11:00 - 23:30. (150
- 600Kč). A
Latin American
Ambiente Brasileiro E-3, Praha 1, U Radnice 8,
MStaroměstská, tel. 224 23 44 74, www.ambi.cz.
Don’t be alarmed when a man brandishing a large skewer of
meat appears before you and starts slicing bloody chunks
of beef onto your plate. In addition to the churrasco grill,
delicious pastas and appetisers are also offered with Brazilian
flair - and it’s eat all you possibly can, so take some
time. If you pay up before 18:00, the price is 445Kč for
the meat churrasco. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. Also at F-3,
Na Přikopě 22 - Slovanský Dům, tel. 221 45 12 00. (225
- 545Kč). AP
Don Pedro G/H-5, Praha 2, Masarykovo nábř. 2,
MKarlovo nám., tel. 224 923 505, www.donpedro.
cz. The only thing that will kidnap you in this Columbian
restaurant is the taste of the fabulous food; from Columbian
fried yuca and cola guisada, to excellent steak
and Mexican favourites. And then there are the tropical
cocktails, native coffee and South American wine. Almost
makes you want to book a flight to Bogota but now
there’s Don Pedro here... QOpen 11:30 - 23:00. (130
- 280Kč). APS
April - May 2007
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