ACK! Only 36 hours?!

36 hours in Prague would make me a very sad girl....the city has so much to see and do that I can't even begin to imagine only having 36 hours.  But, alas, if this were the case, here is what The New York Times suggest one do:

36 Hours in Prague by Michael Novotny for the NY Times

I myself am not familiar with all of these places he suggests, except I do know the bar Zlý Časy quite well...and even posted about it a while back:

Bad Times Call for Great Beer

Must try these places suggested by Michael.  Must post my own version of what to do with only 36 hours.  Yeah, now there's an idea!

Off the Beaten Path in Prague

Karlin is a great neighborhood in Prague... one that many tourists probably don't get to see unless they're curious and like to explore.   I, for one, prefer to head off the beaten path and venture into neighborhoods that aren't filled with souvenir shops and folks shoving pamphlets into my face of tours they offer.  If you don't venture out, you miss experiencing what life is like for those who live in the city... what the residential neighborhoods consist of... and what makes them special.

The New York Times had a good article on Karlin... a neighborhood in Prague 8

Where to Go in the Karlin District of Prague

Another great article that will tell make you want to visit Karlin is

Taste of Prague

I am back... Na Zdravi to that, my friends!

What's your favorite street in Prague?

I wouldn't say that this is my favorite street in Prague, but nevertheless I have to share with you.  I quite prefer a stroll down Hroznová or Loretánská or Kozi, but that's just me.  I DO love the Vršovice neighborhood as it's off the beaten path and has a certain cool grittiness that I love to find in cities.  I haven't been to any of the places in the article, but maybe you can visit and let me know what you think.

Read the NY Times article entitled Favorite Streets in 12 European Cities and see why they picked Krymská ulice as one of their faves

Photo by Milan Bures for The New York Times 

Check out Little Czech Republic

So I'm flipping through the pages of the March issue of Food Network Magazine and I get to an article entitled Small World..."You can eat like a globe-trotter without leaving the States:  Check out Little Denmark, Little Ethiopia and more." Now I love me some "little" village à la Epcot Center (does Epcot even still have European pavilions!?).

Anyway, I turn the page to read on and BAM!  Little Czech Republic jumps off the page and smacks me in the face.

I was giddy.

So this Little Czech Republic is in West, Texas.
It is so rare to see Czech restaurants outside of the Czech Republic that it was like staring into the face of a long lost cousin.  Something about this photo stirs up feelings of nostalgia for me... memories of homemade Czech meals prepared by Babicka.

I love how the sign out front says "BEER" and that it's larger than the other sign.  So Czech!  I mean, we love out beer so it makes perfect sense.



Thank you Picha's Facebook page... I am stealing this photo so I have something to share
with my readers.  Please forgive a fellow Czech.

The article reads:

"Czech immigrants settled in Texas in 1880, and more than a century later, many of the restaurants and residents of West, TX, are still Czech." (Why couldn't they settle in a place like, oh I don't know, HAWAII!?!).  Anyway, moving on... "The city sits between Dallas and Austin, and road-trippers love stopping at Czech Stop (104 South George Kacir Dr.) for a kolache, a traditional stuffed yeast roll.  The 24-7 spot is known for its classic flavors, like fruit or poppy seed, while Gerik's Ole Czech Bakery (511 West Oak St.) is famous for its klobasnek, a savory take on the same pastry.  You can find recipes for kolache and other Czech favorites in the rows and rows of cookbooks at Olde Czech Corner Antiques (130 North Main St.).  At the end of the day, you should head to Picha's Czech-American Restaurant (220 North Main St.), an Eastern Europe-meets-West diner where you can get pierogi - or chicken-fried steak.


Again... BEER.  Warms my heart.

No BEER, but I'll take Meat Market. Also warms my heart.

I am intrigued by Olde Czech Corner Antiques.  Was all ready to virtually browse the shop but...NO WEBSITE!  Argh.  I may be taking a trip to West, TX.  I go to the real thing all the time so why am I so intrigued by this Little Czech village in TX? 

Found this pic on the town's website...Discover West 

Get in my belly!

Aside from Mini-Me at the end, this is my relationship with Czech food...

Dumplings with wild mushroom sauce

A variation of the traditional dumpling

Gotta have sauerkraut if you're having roast pork 

 And the pièce de résistance...

 No meal is complete without home-made strudel

All of these, courtesy of my Dad's kitchen.  To all of you who have parents or a parent that can cook the hell out of their kitchen, pay attention and learn the recipes.  One day you'll wish you did...

Thank you

Wow, I am overwhelmed and honored by all of the recent Facebook "likes" that Prague, My Love has received recently. I don't know what it is, but I thank you all.  

I have to say, your "likes" and page views got me through a difficult month.  I lost my father (this is my first time announcing it even...sort of like, if I don't say it, it didn't happen) and feel as though this is his way of reaching me and saying, "don't give up on the blog simply because it will remind you of me and make you sad.  Rather, know that I was always your biggest fan... and will always continue reading."  So although many posts will remind me of my loss, I will push through the sadness.  

Thank you to all of my followers... you made an impact you can't even begin to imagine.