PRAGUE - Fringe

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FOOD & DRINK IN MALÁ STRANA & THE CASTLE
Alchymist B-3, Praha 1, Hellichova 4, MStaromětská,
tel. 257 31 25 18, www.alchymist.cz. Fabulous decor, service
and menu in this opulent restaurant with faintly oriental
leanings in the decor region, plus a few zebra stripes. Although
the menu isn’t extensive, it can’t be faulted; foie gras, sea
bass, lamb, whatever, it’s all good. For dessert, the creme
brulee is divine. A few cheaper options on the wine list would
facilitate a smooth evening, but for a special night out it’ll do
very nicely, thank you. Q (300 - 650Kč). AGP
David A-2, Praha 1, Tržistě 21, MMalostranská, tel.
257 53 31 09, www.restaurant-david.cz. Up a winding
cobbled street, the interior of this small restaurant looks
like a genteel, yet chintzy living room. The wait staff behave
in a butler-like fashion, the food, more Posh than Becks, is a
gourmet’s delight and includes dishes such as chateaubriand
in green pepper sauce and grilled tiger prawns in crab sauce.
QOpen 11:30 - 23:00. (190 - 550Kč). AGU
Hergetova Cihelna C-2, Praha 1, Cihelná 2b, MMalostranská,
tel. 257 53 55 34, www.kampagroup.com.
Part of the Kampa Group of restaurants, this is a winner
in every respect. A huge menu of Czech and international
favourites tantalises, with great Neapolitan pizza’s thrown
in for good measure. Sunday brunch with professionals on
hand to look after your kids while you relax. We love it and
you will too. Check out the upstairs lounge complete with pool
table and big screen. QOpen 11:30 - 01:00. (70 - 400Kč).
ABEGPT
Kampa Park C-2, Praha 1, Na Kampě 8b, MMalostranská,
tel. 257 53 26 85, www.kampagroup.com. The
legendary restaurant with THE who’s who of diners; Hillary
Clinton et al. (see the decorative photographic evidence). With
a magnificent location on the water just below the Charles
Bridge, a meal here doesn’t come cheap, but you’ll forget
the price once you’ve tasted the delicious nouvelle cuisine.
Reservations recommended. The heated terrace remains
open for your viewing pleasure. QOpen 11:30 - 01:00. (600
- 750Kč). ABLPT
Mlýnec C-3, Praha 1, Novotného lávka 9,
MStaroměstská, tel. 221 08 22 08, www.pfd.cz. The
Mill has the wonderful setting by the tower on the east end of
Charles Bridge, and as such the terrace is a veritable who’s
who of Prague A-listers. Not surprising when the chef is Marek
Purkart, the first man to receive the Michelin Bibendum twice.
Sample his grilled New Zealand lamb chops with truffle sauce,
green broad beans and coucous. Q Open 12:00 - 15:00;
17:30 - 23:00. (600 - 1,500Kč). ABEPU
Prague In Your Pocket
Nostitz B-3, Praha 1, Nosticova 2, MMalostranská,
tel. 257 00 76 81, www.nostitz.cz. A lovely late baroque
summer palace built by the Jesuits in the 17th century
is now a lovely restaurant with a gorgeous terrace along
the Čertovka canal that creates Kampa Island. The usual
chicken, steak, pork and Czech classics menu has some
more international slants, such as shaslík. Private parties
and weddings are catered for inside and/or outside where a
grill adds to the garden party feel. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00.
(100 - 300Kč). ABL
Square B-2, Praha 1, Malostranské nám. 5, MMalostranská,
tel. 257 53 21 09, www.squarerestaurant.cz. The
only squares in this hip restaurant are the tourists who can’t
help but wander in, given its excellent location. Cocktails, coffee,
tapas, breakfast and primarily Italian cuisine given an inventive
twist by the chef, can all be had in this maroon and white shrine
to all that’s trendy. And the wine list, food and service lives
up to the impeccable surroundings. One of the Kampa Group
restaurants so ask for details of their frequent dining program.
QOpen 08:00 - 01:00. (155 - 500Kč). PAB
U Zlaté studně B-1, Praha 1, U Zlaté studně 4,
MMalostranská, tel. 257 53 33 22, www.zlatastudna.
cz. U Zlaté studně is still making waves in Prague’s restaurant
scene after a successful opening. Sitting high above the city
thanks to its roof-top elevation, it still manages to snuggle
beneath the castle, and the classic architectural lines set the
scene for quality cuisine and vintage wines. QOpen 07:00
- 23:00. (400 - 690Kč). PTAB
Medieval
U Císařů Praha 1, Loretánská 5, tel. 220 51 84 84,
www.ucisaru.cz. Top-class medieval dining in the centre of
cobbled, old world Prague. A beautiful Gothic wine cellar is at
your disposal to really make you feel that your rightful place is
down the road at the castle. The chefs have catered various
state dinners, and the prices tend to illustrate this. QOpen
11:00 - 24:00. (250 - 950Kč). ABEILP
U Sedmi Švábů A-2, Praha 1, Jánský vršek 14,
MMalostranská, tel. 257 53 14 55, info@svabove.cz,
www.svabove.cz. Yet more medieval shenanigans in the
requisite cellar space where fire-eating, dueling and even
torture takes place as you dine. Traditional recipes employing
only authentic 15th and 16th century ingredients means no
tomatoes or potatoes. Fun, games and lots of meat. QOpen
11:00 - 23:00. (70 - 450Kč). AEGIP
Mexican
Azteca B-4, Praha 1, Říční 9, tel. 257 32 73 89, www.
azteca.cz. The menu offers the standard Mexican fare with
drinks in the same vein: mojitos and margaritas, in fact, the bar
does a fair business on its own, apart from the spicy food on
offer in the restaurant. Excellent, spicy nachos. Although we’re
not too sure about the OTT neo-Alamo décor, Azteca offers
good fajitas, enchiladas and quesadilla, along with over 25
types of tequila. Lunch menu 70Kč but there’s nothing Mexican
on it. Good wine list, Staropramen for 25Kč and Corona
70Kč. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (70 - 380Kč). A
Cantina A-4, Praha 1, Újezd 38, MMalostranská, tel.
257 31 71 73. A warm and atmospheric Mexican, serving
Texan-sized portions of decent grub and small swimming
pool sized margaritas that slip down far too easily. The fajitas
are exellent, although we suggest you may want some
extra salsa to add some zing. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (120
- 300Kč). ABE
FOOD & DRINK IN MALÁ STRANA & THE CASTLE
Spanish
El Centro B-2, Praha 1, Maltézské nám. 9, MMalostranská,
tel. 257 53 33 43. This warm and bright Spanish
eatery, slightly hidden in an discreet alleyway at Malá Strana,
is an amazing choice if you are looking for a fiesta in your
mouth. The paella is savoury and fresh, the tortilla espanola
is piquant, and the gazpacho is delectable. It’s a spicy change
from the routine. Sombreros off to this place. QOpen 12:00
- 24:00. (120 - 300Kč). ABGU
Bars
Barbar B-4, Praha 1, Všehrdova 17, MNárodní třída,
tel. 257 31 22 46, www.bar-bar.cz. Underground bar
offering snacks, beers and slightly odd art pieces scattered
under a large wooden propeller. The staff smile widely and
the customers slouch because they feel at home. QOpen
12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00.
Shadow Bar B-4, Praha 1, Újezd 14, tel. 227 19 52 35.
In the space once occupied by Bohemia Bagel’s internet café
and the shortlived 8Ball, Shadow Bar is home to two foosball
tables, some funky, hallucinogenic murals, long, low tables
and a youthful hedonist crowd. Eclecticism is the name of
this shadowy place. QOpen 17:00 - 04:00.
St. Nicholas Café A-2, Praha 1, Tržiště 10, MMalostranská.
Purportedly a wine bar, St. Nick’s has been attracting
drinkers of all vogues for years and his allure hasn’t waned.
Dedicated drinkers keep the vibe going late and jazzy live
music adds to the cellar ambience. Snacks available. QOpen
12:00 - 01:00, Sat, Sun 16:00 - 01:00.
The Blue Light B-2, Praha 1, Ostrovní 32, MMalostranská,
tel. 224 93 22 49, www.ultramarin.cz. An older crowd
jostles, jokes and jives late into the night in this supposed
jazz club. It seldom has live music, but it does play chill tunes,
from Barry White to Prince to jazz standards and well mixed
cocktails. It’s a cool hot spot with very interesting interior
design. QOpen 18:00 - 03:00. E
Zanzibar B-2, Praha 1, Lázeňská 6, MMalostranská,
tel. 602 78 00 76, www.monin.cz. The cocktails here are
good – although we got a margarita in a martini glass – but
make sure to sit at the bar. Wait staff are appalling with service
running the gamut from brusque to nonexistent. The Rolling
Stones improved the atmosphere but décor appears of the
Mexican restaurant ilk. Cocktails are 85-150Kč, and Pilsner
50Kč. QOpen 17:00 - 03:00. P
Pubs
J.J.Murphy’s A-2, Praha 1, Tržiště 4, MMalostranská,
tel. 257 53 55 75, www.jjmurphys.cz. Don’t worry, they
also have Guinness. If you pine for the days when you could
enjoy a pint, a good meal and your favourite sporting event
without screaming Englishmen in dresses working on their
20th beer, then belly up to this Irish bar. Watch live sport from
one of the sofas in the attic lounge or have a proper breakfast
with pudding or a real American burger on the ground floor.
QOpen 10:00 - 01:00. AK
U Černého vola Praha 1, Loretánské nám. 1, MMalostranská,
tel. 220 51 34 81. It’s almost unbelievable to find
a genuine, top-quality, great priced Czech pub just up the
hill from the castle. Yet here it is. A tiled hall full of wooden
benches, sextagenerians and the best Kozel on the planet.
Walk up Nerudova (A-2), continue up Úvoz and make a right.
QOpen 09:00 - 22:00.
Jazz
U Malého Glena B-3, Praha 1, Karmelitská 23,
MMalostranská, tel. 257 53 17 17, www.malyglen.cz.
Little Glen’s is, appropriately, a tiny venue downstairs from a
scrubbed wooden Irish-type bar, and hosts a wide spectrum
of local bands, with a particularly strong roster of jazz and
blues acts turning up regularly. You can book one of the 20
or so spots crammed in around the tables. QOpen 10:00
- 02:00. Admission Mon, Tue & Thu 120Kč; Wed, Fri & Sat
150Kč; Sun 70Kč. AEP
Clubs
Újezd A-4, Praha 1, Újezd 18, MNárodní třída, tel. 257
31 65 37. Yes, the ambience is young, shabby and hedonistic,
but Újezd’s three floors and especially the bizarre wrought
iron sculptures are a tonic to eyes and ears. Friendly staff and
hot (most of them smoking) people throng here any night for
live music and/or DJs. The cellar is punk, and upstairs is a
more eclectic chill zone. Don’t bring your posh frock, do bring
some energy. QOpen 11:00 - 04:00. E
Out there clubs
Abaton Praha 8, Na Košince 8 / Povltavská 2175,
MPalmovka, tel. 602 32 44 34, www.prostorabaton.
cz. Very cool club a tad out of town but with one of the
best programs in the city, be it drum n bass DJs or live
music to the tune of Chumbawamba, Natacha Atlas,
The Dresden Dolls or Free Monday local heroes such as
Dirty Airlines. Beer hall downstairs with video feed from
the stage upstairs. Open for gigs only and closing time
depends on the band/after party. Tram 10, 24, 25 to
stanice Stejskalova QOpen 19:00 - 03:00. E
Hany Bany Praha 4, 5. května 1640 (Congress
Centre), MVyšehrad, tel. 261 17 42 41, www.
discohanybany.cz. A disco reminiscent of the ‘heyday’
of the 80s sits in the car park of the Congress Centre
but manages to attract a fairly good-looking bunch of
young locals and tourists to its massive underground
space. Vanilla Ice played here, they cater for private parties
and and host events such as Miss RnB. Pop muzak
is pumped out to the ever increasing crowds. QOpen
21:00 - 04:00, Sat, Sun 21:00 - 05:00. Closed Mon.
Admission 100Kč. PE
April - May 2007
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