Tuesday, April 25, 2017

8 Places to Taste the Best Traditional Czech Cuisine in the Old Town of Prague


First time in Prague and want to taste the best svíčková, pork knuckle, beef goulash, steak tartare, pork schnitzel, roast duck or traditional Czech pork, dumplings and sauerkraut? Sometimes it's not easy to find a restaurant with genuine Czech meals in a center of Prague. Avoid tourist traps, check our list and you can be sure you will taste the real specials! And don't forget to make a reservation in advance!

1. U Modré Kachničky II.


If you wonder about the unusual name of the restaurant you don't have to - it can be translated as "The Little Blue Duck" and that's exactly what you can get here. Well, not blue, but really delicious! And the number II says it is their second restaurant in Prague. Try a roasted duck with cabbage and dumplings, grilled duck with pears, ginger and shallot, grilled and smoked duck breast with arugula salad or many others. You can also taste exclusive wild game specialties - wild boar goulash or even fallow deer saddle fillets. Other specialties include garlic roasted rabbit with bacon, lamb shank confit or a large Old Bohemian baking pan for two. They work strictly with local meat suppliers and only use prime ingredients. The restaurant is located in Michalská street, just 2 minutes from the Old Town Square and within a walking distance from all our apartments!

Address: Michalská 16, Prague 1
Website: www.umodrekachnicky.cz/en/michalska

2. Restaurace Mincovna


The Old Town Square is one of the busiest places in Prague and it is hard to find a restaurant with great reasonably priced Czech food. Search no more - Mincovna has it all! They have an excellent selection of meals - taste a pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce, a beef goulash or their awesome pork knuckle with mashed potatoes. Beer lovers must get the Pilsner Urquell lager directly from the tank - one of the best in town! Their homemade raspberry, ginger and cucumber lemonades are also perfect.


3. U Červeného Kola


If you want to get a traditional Czech food in a cozy old-fashioned restaurant, U Červeného Kola is a great choice! It is located in the lovely Anežská street, not far from the Old Town Square and just a 5-minute walk from our Milosrdnych Apartments or Rybna and Masna Residences. You can choose of many Czech specialties - homemade roast beef sirloin in cream sauce, cranberries and bread dumplings (svíčková), beef goulash with onion and dumplings or their excellent Old Bohemian style dish with 1/4 of roasted duck, pork tenderloin, smoked pork meat, sauerkraut and dumplings. Be sure to also get a delicious South Moravian wine or (of course) a few Pilsner Urquell beers...


4. U Sádlů


The pub and restaurant U Sádlů is located at the edge of the Old Town in Klimentská street, again very close to our Residences Masna and Rybna. In a stylish interior you can taste all the famous dishes of the traditional Czech cuisine - beef sirloin in cream sauce, roasted pork chuck with Moravian cabbage and dumplings, beef or deer goulash with potato pancakes or a leg of rabbit on garlic. For a drink order the original Czech Budweiser Budvar beer or delicious wines from Moravia.


5. Krčma


Only a minute from our Salvator Apartments just next to the St. Salvator Church you can find Krčma, a stylish pub with a rich history in the heart of the Old Town. If you are looking for a traditional Czech dishes this is the place for you - pork roast with dumplings and cabbage, roasted duck, roasted pork back knee or marinated beef roasted with root veggies in creamy sauce. You will be surprised by affordable prices and original setting.

Website: www.krcma.cz

6. Lokál Dlouhááá


This place is very popular especially among locals and beer lovers because you can often hear that their Pilsner Urquell from the tanks is maybe the best in Prague. But it is not just about beer, they also prepare delicious homemade Czech meals and starters that go great with beer. You should definitely try their steak tartare made from finely minced raw beef with toasted bread. Also get one of their perfect sausages, pickled Hermelin cheese, beef goulash or fried cheese. It is located in Dlouhá street and as always - very close to the Rybna and Masna Residences.


7. Café Imperial 


Café Imperial is one of the most beautiful and original restaurants in Prague. It is owned by famous chef Zdeněk Pohlreich and located in Na Poříčí street, very close to the Old Town. You will be impressed by the breathtaking Art Deco interior and very attentive waiters. They don't serve just Czech specials but also many other extraordinary dishes. You can get a confit of duck with cabbage and dumplings, braised beef with creamy sauce, veal schnitzel with mashed potatoes or rabbit with mustard and dumplings.


8. U Provaznice


This traditional restaurant is situated near Wenceslas Square and serves a wide range of delicious Czech dishes for very reasonable prices. You can get the top Czech meals - tenderloin with cream sauce and dumplings, vepřo-knedlo-zelo (roast pork with sauerkraut and dumplings), goulash, wiener schnitzel, roast duck and many others. Also be sure to get Pilsner Urquell beer - it goes great with all Czech dishes after all!



Monday, April 10, 2017

8 Best New Bars, Restaurants and Cafes in Prague


What are the best new bars, cafes and restaurants in Prague? Here are brilliant ones that were opened in the past 6 months. Would you like some first class food, a delicious dessert, the strongest coffee in the world or just a couple of beers? Check our list!

1. Kantýna


A meat lover's dream come true! If you describe yourself as a carnivore, you just must visit Kantýna! This freshly opened (in March) spot combines a butcher shop and a restaurant. They specialize in the top pork and beef meat from Czech farms. Quite exceptional interior is dominated by a large open grill. If you try their roasts, a pork knuckle or a steak, be sure you will love it. Kantýna is located not far from Wenceslas Square.


2. Donuterie


This place opened last month and their products are already referred as the best donuts in Prague! Colorful donuts are fresh every day and you can have them with delicious lemonades. The place is nice and cozy, the staff is more than nice. Donuterie is very close to our Residence Karolina, just 1 minutes' walk from the Bethlehem Chapel in Náprstkova street.


3. Next Door by Imperial


Café Imperial is a popular restaurant headed by chef Zdeněk Pohlreich (famous for his TV show). In 2016 there was opened a new stylish bistro with the same owner just next door - Next Door by Imperial. You can expect modern Czech cuisine, very professional staff and impressive atmosphere. You must try their cream crayfish soup or veal cheeks! The bistro is located 7 minutes' walk from our Residence Rybna, close to Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square).

Location: Zlatnická 1126/3, Prague 1
Website: www.next-door.cz/en/

4. Loď Pivovar


A truly unique restaurant! It is the first microbrewery situated on a boat in the Czech Republic (maybe in the world?). You can taste one of 3 beers - 10 °C Legie, 12 °C Republika and 13 °C Monarchie - and they are all delicious! Regularly they also brew special beers like Irish stouts or India pale ales. They serve very tasty venison, pork and fish. The boat is anchored next to the Štefánikův bridge - it is a very nice 12 minutes' walk from the Residence Brehova or just 8 minutes' walk from the Milosrdnych Apartments.

Location: Dock 11, Na Františku, Prague 1
Website: www.pivolod.cz

5. Špejle


Skewers everywhere!!! Another extraordinary place -  they don't have any menu and everything is skewered. Everything! You pay by the number of used skewers. And what can you get? You serve yourself at one of the 3 bars - hot, cold and sweet - where you can choose of savories, small sandwiches and tasty cakes. Very clever concept and nice atmosphere. Špejle is located in Jindřišská, not far from Wenceslas Square.

Website: www.spejle.eu

6. Dak Lak Coffee


Take a lovely walk through the Old Town and visit this special coffee shop. Dak Lak Coffee serves high quality Vietnamese coffee. The cafe was founded by Tuan from Vietnam who wanted to spread the word about the Vietnamese coffee and to improve its reputation. He founded a coffee roaster and now, among other things, they have the strongest coffee on the market! The cafe is located in Školská street.


7. Prague Fear House


The first fear house in Central Europe! The haunted house itself is not open yet but you can visit a scary bar! You will be impressed by a very stylish interior - the bar is open every day from 6 P.M. Discover the world of a crazy sadistic doctor Hermann, his loyal servant Hans or one of his many victims Isabel! The house is located only 10 minutes' walk from the Residence Karolina, in Vodičkova street.


8. Kuizin


Do you fancy Czech and French food? You don't need to choose, in Kuizin you can have both! They serve meals inspired by Czech modern cuisine with a touch of traditional French gastronomy. Everyday you can get specials made of fresh ingredients from the best Czech farmers. They are open on weekdays from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. You will find it just 2 minutes' walk from our residences Rybna and Masna!

Website: www.kuizin.cz

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Our Staff Reveals Their Favorite Places in Prague



WENDY, Reservations

"Řásnovka - hidden spot in the heart of Prague. This is just a little sneak peek of my favourite spot because this place is just the most amazing when it gets dark outside and they switch the street lights on. Ask our staff where to find Haštalské náměstí and take the first street left from there. You will pass the church and here you go: usually an empty street with a fairytale atmosphere."

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ZUZANA, Reservation Agent

"If you want to experience the Czech culture to the fullest, you need to understand our humour. We, the Czechs, like to make fun of ourselves and we love the irony. What a better example of this, than the fact that one of the „biggest“ authors of the famous plays is a person that has never lived? I am talking about Jara Cimrman-a person created by the great directors, screen writers and producers Josef Smoljak and Zdeněk Svěrák (also known as the screen-writer of Oscar winning film Kolja) . Cimrman is a man, who was present to all the important discoveries in the 19th and 20th century, who were always the first and knew everyhing the best. Besides his other admirable abilities he has also written some plays that are the essence of our humour and make even the foreigners laugh. There is usually one performance played in the English language a month. If you are lucky enough to be in Prague when it is played, you should not miss it - Járy Cimrmana Theatre!"

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Website


LUBOŠ, Guest Services

"My favorite place to go with friends is definitely Naplavka in summer. It is a good place where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Prague while watching the sunset, drinking some good beer, and meeting new people. The atmosphere you experience at Naplavka is truly unique and overwhelming. When I want to relax and calm down a little I love going to Petřín or visit Vyšehrad. My two favorite places where I go when I really want to think and rest from all the troubles of a usual day."

ADÉLA, Guest Services

"Same as Luboš - my favourite place in Prague is Náplavka. You will find this area on the Vltava river bank, close to the Charles square or Žofín. There are beautiful views of Hradčany, Prague bridges and Prague castle. Every Saturday early in the morning famous farmer markets take place here. You can buy fruit and vegetables, all kind of meat, eggs, milk products, cakes, homemade juices but also typical Czech food. Visitors can enjoy this ´carnival´of food from February till October. During summer this place is perfect for everyone who loves warm weather and hanging out with friends. Bars and boats are open until early morning, you can also bring your own food and drinks, sit on a blanket and just enjoy your amazing time in Prague."

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 KLÁRA, Guest Services Manager

"I love to spend my time in Stromovka park – a great place for running and even a glass of wine or beer. It’s on the way from the city center to zoo (tram no. 17) in Bubeneč district. There is a nice restaurant with seating area and a stage for occasional concerts and shows. For kids there is a lovely children’s playground right next to the cafe serving great stuffed potatoes and fresh-squeezed juices. Not far from the park you can find Prague Exhibition Grounds, Sea World or the Prague Planetarium with one of the largest cupolas in the World."

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LENKA, Residential Manager

"My favorite place in Prague is Gröbovka park, also known as Havlíčkovy sady. This beautiful park is located in Vinohrady district and it is great for a picnic or a walk with unique views of Prague. In a wooden gazebo you can get a glass of Gröbovka wine which comes from the local hillsides. In Pavilon Grébovka restaurant they serve various meals, in spring and summer they even offer specialities grilled outside. Easiest way to get there is to take a tram no. 22 from the city center - it takes just 15 minutes."

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KATE, Guest Services

"My favourite place in Prague is nearby the Vltava river. If you want to enjoy almost rural atmosphere, go from the city center by tram no. 17 until you reach Holešovice district. You will pass a new Troja bridge, which is an interesting architectonical place. Then you will come down the street and reach a path along the river. During warm days, there are people relaxing at the bank next to the kayaking slalom course. If you go further from the weir, you will reach south gate of Chateau Troja and also south entrance to the prague Zoo. You can cross the river to the Stromovka park, which is another oasis of nature in the heart of a pulsing city."

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 MARY, Guest Services

"My favourite place is in the middle of Prague - it's near Vltavská which is a really ugly place and that's why it's strange that this place is so amazing! It is almost an island - "Střelecký ostrov". There is the most amazing bar where everybody sits on the grass with a tasty beer. Around the island the Vltava river flows and you can feel like you aren't in the city but you are actually in the very heart of Prague."

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RADIM, Product Manager

"I fell in love with this place when I was a child. Since then I have visited National Technical Museum many times and every single visit I get surprised. You can view the most interesting exhibits of many technical fields – transportation, astronomy, architecture, photography, metalurgy, mining and others. Full admission price is 190 CZK, reduced price (seniors, children, students) is 90 CZK. The museum is located in Holešovice District – you can take a tram no. 17 to Čechův most station or any tram that goes to Letenské náměstí."

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MARTINA, Executive Assistant

"If you want to see Prague from different perspective, rent a paddle boat! You can go with up to 3 friends and it is so much fun! On a sunny day choose one of the rental places and discover Prague from the river. My favorite rental place is located next to the Charles Bridge in Lávka Club. From here you have a unique opportunity to discover one of the most famous bridges in the world from below."

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