PRAGUE - Fringe

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FOOD & DRINK AROUND PRAGUE
Vinohrady & Žižkov
Vinohrady (J/K-5/6) has everything from cheap ethnic
restaurants, trendy bars and a fabulous beer garden to
one of Europe’s top clubs. Neighbouring Žižkov (K-4/5) is
a working-class district that’s proud to have the highest
number of places serving alcohol in the country. Vinohrady
is best explored from the Jiřího z Poděbrad (JzP), Náměstí
Míru or I. P. Pavlova metro stations; night trams N°51, 57
and 59 roll to and from the Old Town. Žižkov is a short
steep walk past the TV Tower from JzP metro, or a short
ride on trams N°5, 9 or 26. Stagger home on night trams
N°55 or 58.
American
Ambiente Living K-5, Praha 2, Mánesova 59, MNám.
Míru, tel. 222 72 78 51, www.ambi.cz. One of the Ambiente
chain, and as eternally popular as the others, this place
serves up fresh salad, great stuffed peppers, ribs and of
course chicken wings. This is billed as a ‘lifestyle’ restaurant
and serves delicious dishes with their distinctive brand of
style. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 13:00 - 24:00. (150
- 300Kč). A
Australian
Bumerang J-6, Praha 2, Londýnská 52, MNám. Míru,
tel. 222 51 70 47, www.52.cz. In addition to a wealth of
international dishes, there are several varieties of kangaroo
– fried, sautéed, grilled and mercilessly skewered – for those
who have a craving for the island continent’s equivalent of
deer. Only Foster’s is in evidence. Lively and often full, although
there have been recent reports of mysterious additions to
bills. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 02:00. (150
- 250Kč). PAB
Prague In Your Pocket
Brewery restaurants
U Vodárny K-5, Praha 3, Korunní 75, MJiřího z
Poděbrad, tel. 222 52 25 40, www.restaurace-uvodarny.
cz. At the Water Tower is famous for another liquid: fresh
Gambrinus, Pilsner Urquell and Kozel from tanks rather than
barrels – pubs must consume a certain amount of beer to be
given this honour. It is also famous for excellent and cheap
home cooked traditional food and that superb habit of singing
rock n roll and country and western songs in Czech. Plus they
have an adjacent non-stop herna with saloon doors. QOpen
10:00 - 23:00. (40 - 200Kč). BE
Cafés
Café Pavlač K-4, Praha 3, Víta nejedlého 23, tel. 222
27 17 31, www.cafepavlac.cz. Healthy eating comes to
Žižkov? Café Pavlač, named for the courtyard gallery out the
back, which staff and artist are happy for you to explore,
serves up good breakfast, snacks and meals, including pasta
and salmon steak. Nights can happen too, with a full bar
and Gambrinus at 22Kč. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00, Sat 12:00
- 24:00, Sun 12:00 - 23:00. (55 - 180Kč). B
Kaaba J-5, Praha 2, Mánesova 20, MMuzeum, tel.
222 25 40 21. This über-funky café and attached tabak on
eclectic Mánesova is the perfect spot for their sinfully thick
hot chocolate, varied selection of premium teas and coffees,
plus breakfast, cakes and alcohol, of course. An assortment
of design furniture, light fixtures and ashtrays allow the varied
clientele to feel as cool as this place looks. Enjoy. QOpen
08:00 - 22:00, Sat 09:00 - 22:00, Sun 10:00 - 22:00.
NEW
Maluj Creative Café Praha 3, Korunní 105, MJiřího z
Poděbrad, tel. 774 62 58 51, www.studio-maluj.cz. Do it
yourself chic at this new café that serves up unglazed pottery
(plates, bowls, ashtrays, objects) in addition to the usual café
food and beverage items. Roll up your sleeves and get creative
with their paints, then they’ll glaze your work of art for you to take
home. QOpen 07:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 22:00. P
Noel’s J-5, Praha 2, Anny Letenské 18, MNám. Míru, tel.
608 27 74 33, www.noels.cz. So far, new ownership of the
Metropole has had little impact, with only a bluesier soundtrack
in its mellow space and an increasing line up of live music, but
Noel promises a gradual conversion into a rawer music club in
the coming months. The food, drinks and laid back atmosphere
remain, so head down for the talented live acts, mostly at the
weekends at the moment. Reservations are necessary for the
free live acts. Anagram Bookshop remains for the moment.
QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. EW
Rybanaruby K-5, Praha 2, Mánesova 87, MJiřího z
Poděbrad, tel. 731 57 07 01, www.rybanaruby.cz. Part
café, part live music venue, part shop it goes into the café
section because of its opening hours. Underground music in a
very literal sense – down the stairs you’ll find legalize cannabis
proponents selling world music CDs, djembes, didgeridoos,
etc. and hosting similar veined live acts (admission 51 -
111Kč). Very cool space. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00.
Shakespeare & Sons Praha 10, Krymská 12, tel. 271
74 08 39, www.shakes.cz. Thousands of handpicked new
and used English titles, earnest poetry and prose readings
and performance, newspapers, chess and backgammon,
Bernard beer, some funky original art and mosaics, plus coffee,
tea and cakes. Tram N°4, 22 or 23 to the Krymská stop.
QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. E
FOOD & DRINK AROUND PRAGUE
Czech
Hlučná samota J-6, Praha 2, Záhřebská 14, MNám.
Míru, tel. 222 52 28 39, www.hlucnasamota.cz. Exposed
brick walls and dark wood embrace all comers. The food
though is the real reason to be here - quality fish and meat,
crisp vegetables, and a few more side order options than
usual plus real French fries.QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun
12:00 - 23:00. (80 - 250Kč). AB
Koliba U Pastýřky J-7, Praha 4, Bělehradská 15, MI.P.
Pavlova, tel. 222 56 43 35, www.pastyrka.cz. The
Shepherdess’s Cottage caters to Czechs and tour groups 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 for to continue the Czech dining
pleasure. QOpen 18:00 - 01:00. (90 - 300Kč). BE
U Kalicha I-6, Praha 2, Na Bojišti 12, MI.P. Pavlova, tel.
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). AEGP
French
L’Ardoise J-6, Praha 2, Londýnská 29, MI.P. Pavlova,
tel. 602 27 95 11, www.lardoise.cz. The kitchen, the staff
and owner make diners feel suitably important for the calibre
of cuisine and superlative wine list. Daily blackboard specials,
such as soup, foie gras and fresh fish, join the succulent veal,
beautifully caramelised salmon and sinful desserts.QOpen
11:00 - 01:00. (180 - 420Kč). AB
La Lavande J-6, Praha 2, Záhřebská 24, tel. 222 51 74
06, www.lalavande.wz.cz. Behind the rather unwelcoming
barred windows lies this gem of classic French cuisine that
has one of the best lunch deals in the city. Chefs have years
experience in 4 and 5 Star hotels and whatever you order, be
it the goat cheese millefeuille, mussels, or crème caramel, it’ll
be good. The mostly French wine list runs from 200 - 2000Kč.
Q Open 11:30 - 15:00 & 18:30 - 23:00. Sat 18:30 - 23:00.
Sun by request. (150 - 450Kč). PAB
U Bílé krávy I-5, Praha 2, Rubešova 10, MI. P. Pavlova,
tel. 224 23 95 70, www.bilakrava.cz. Although such
classic French appetisers as frogs’ legs and escargot are
served, the restaurant’s claim to fame, as one might surmise
from the illuminated bull’s head hanging outside, is Charolais
beef. Fantastic atmosphere, great service and even better
food make reservations essential most evenings. Print out a
10%discount card from the website. QOpen 11:30 - 23:00.
Closed Sat, Sun. (125 - 600Kč). AP
Greek
Olympos K-4, Praha 3, Kubelíkova 9, MJiřího z Poděbrad,
tel. 222 72 22 39, www.tavernaolympos.cz. Rightfully the
most famous Greek restaurant in Prague. Excellent Grecian
starters, a haul of fresh seafood, and friendly, hard working
staff. Superb. The massive garden may be closed but Olympos
does have a lovely winter garden. QOpen 11:30 - 24:00, Sun
11:30 - 23:00. (200 - 500Kč). ABT
Chinese
Huang He K-7, Praha 10, Vršovická 1, tel. 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
Indian
Himalaya I-5, Praha 2, Mikovcova 7, MI.P. Pavlova,
tel. 224 23 15 81, www.himalayagroup.cz. A functional
take-away curry house with one table and a couple of stools
if you really can’t wait. Excellent samosas, spicy jalfrezi,
creamy korma, dal and chapattis make fairly cheap appearances.QOpen
11:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 23:00. (60
- 200Kč). S
Manni Mini Praha 3, Seifertova 11, MHlavní nádraží, tel.
222 51 16 60. A small, functional but very tasty Indian to fill
the gap in the market. Curries of every hue and origin (tandoori,
biryani, Punjabi, dopiaza, Madras, jalfrezi and vindaloo come in
vegetarian, chicken, lamb and prawn variations with basmati rice
and a wide smile. Good not brilliant, but oh, what a price. Wine for
just 150Kč too.QOpen 11:00 - 22:00. (100 - 170Kč).
Taj Mahal I-5, Praha 2, Škrétova 10, MMuzeum, tel.
224 22 55 66, www.tajmahal.cz. It’s pricey, but the
Indian décor, the pleasant service and the separate halls
for smokers and the nicotine-free are all as worthy of the
price as the authentic dishes they serve. At Taj Mahal, if it
says spicy, then by Vishnu, it is spicy, and the same goes for
the milder curries. An excellent place, although they don’t
have draught beers, but they do have three Indian beers. If
your curry was a tad hot, cool down with a lassi. QOpen
11:30 - 23:30, Sat, Sun 13:00 - 23:30. (200 - 500Kč).
AEGPTU
April - May 2007
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