Happy Thanksgiving Food Coma in Prague

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 

I was in the midst of researching where I can send those of you in CZ for an All-American Thanksgiving dinner when I stumbled upon a post on Prague.TV.  They saved me the work...now I can start prepping for tomorrow's feast.  And by "prepping" I mean:

Here are the suggestions on where to put yourself into a food coma...

THANKSGIVING 2017 IN PRAGUE

Roasted turkey, gravy and stuffing: Thanksgiving in Prague

BY PRAGUE.TV / RED (FOTO: FOTOLIA)

22.11.2017 05:10

EMAIL    

This year the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 23rd November. For those hoping to celebrate it but who are ‘stuck’ in Prague (definitely not a bad thing) don’t despair, as there a number of places putting on special Thanksgiving dinners. It may not be a Czech holiday but with many mixed Czech and American couples and expatriates now living in the country, the demand for Thanksgiving meals has risen from almost zero to nearly 30 years ago to numerous places now putting them on. For all of the places mentioned below, it is advised to book in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

Thanksgiving day in California Republic – 23.11.2017 from 19:00

Thanksgiving is one of the most popular American traditions. It's about family, friends, great traditional food (and football!) We are making a classic menu, consisting of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cinnamon apple and cranberry bake, stuffing, green bean casserole, and saving the best for last - pumpkin pie with whipped cream! Join us at California Republic on November 23rd, give thanks, and feast with us! The price of our Thanksgiving dinner is 595 Kč and it includes a glass of beer or wine. Pre-payment of 100 Kč and reservation is necessary! Reservation at www.california-republic.cz/thanksgiving - Facebook event


Thanksgiving Day at TGI Fridays – 23.11.2017 from 11:00 / 26.11.2017 brunch

Thanksgiving Day Facebook Event - 23.11.2017
Thanksgiving brunch Facebook Event - 26.11.2017


Thanksgiving Dinner @ Bohemia Bagel – 23.11.2017 from 17:00

We are serving a buffet style all you can eat Thanksgiving Dinner. Dishes include roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, roasted root vegetables, corn, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, cranberry sauce, roasted chestnuts, pumpkin pie, apple pie & pumpkin cheesecake. 590 Kč (up to 12 yrs - 250 Kč - 3 yrs and under free) Seatings at 17:00 & 20:00 (Reservations Recommended at holesovice@bohemiabagel.cz or Tel. +420 220 806 541)


Thanksgiving // Den díkůvzdání @ Jáma Restaurace - 23.11.2017 from 18:00

You are warmly invited to come to the Hollow Restaurant (Jáma) to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Booking accepted between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and the second wave starts at 9 p.m. Upon booking, CZK 100 advance payment per person shall be paid. Facebook Event


Thanksgiving Dinner With Brix Bar & Hostel – 23.11.2017 from 19:00

Hey All O' Y'all!! It's Thanksgiving Time!!! One of Our Favorited and Biggest Food Holidays of The Yearrrrrrrrr... We'd like you to Come and celebrate in being Thankful for Life, Family, Friendship, Happiness & Health with Us. Dinner will be 200czk Per Person, as We will be creating a Traditional Thanksgiving Feast, Served in Brix Bar, starting at 19:00. Facebook Event


Thanksgiving 2017 / Den díkůvzdání 2017 @ Hard Rock Café – 23.11.2017 starting from 11:30

Celebrate with us the best of the American traditions, Thanksgiving Day at Hard Rock Cafe Prague! 600czk per person. Kids portion 165czk. Secure your booking: +420 224229529 Facebook Event 


Thanksgiving Lunch & Dinner @ Chickin - 23.11.2017 from 11:30

FREE-RANGE Roasted Turkey with traditional stuffing and gravy Mashed Potatoes Sweet Potato-And-Cauliflower Salad Southern-Style Green Beans With Bacon Cranberry Sauce Pumpkin Cheesecake ADULT 249 CZK VEGETARIAN 199 CZK KIDS PORTION (up to 6 years) 129 CZK Prosecco 0,15l 55 CZK (with menu) Reserve your table at Tel.: +420 222 969 689 Facebook Event


Thanksgiving Feast-Ival Dinner @ U Kurelů - 23.11.2017 from 18:00

Dear Friends, please join us for a very special Thanksgiving dinner, Thursday 23.11.17! "Early"(6pm- until 8pm) and "Late" (8pm-on) seatings available, RESERVE NOW, SPACE IS LIMITED! ukurelu@thetavern.cz Facebook event


For an intimate Thanksgiving at home or with friends, Culinaria’s Gourmet-to-Go catering in Prague offers takeaway, delivery and full-service catering for Thanksgiving meals from November 23-25. This year, Culinaria and Dirty Dog Street Food are coming together to bring you an authentic Thanksgiving dinner straight to your kitchen. For more visit www.thanksgiving.cz

Robertson’s Deli is a British deli that sells fresh whole turkeys and already roasted turkeys to Prague residents who want to create their family’s Thanksgiving meals at home. A 7kg fresh turkey at Robertson’s costs 833 CZK while turkey crown sells for 657 CZK. The deli also stocks turkey breast, turkey rolls, American bacon and sausages in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday. Order their meat and cheese products online. They also prepare cheese and ham party platters. Since the deli’s products and services are in high-demand around the holidays, place your order in advance to avoid disappointment.


Whether you spend Thanksgiving at home or in one of Prague’s restaurants, remember to show your appreciation for family, friends and your adopted city this year.

Beer Me... over and over again

That being said, it was as if this post by JetSetting Fools spoke to me.  I love me some beer, and now I have a new list of places I must try.  One of the spots on this list is like an old comforting blanket to me, and that is U Medvidku.  It is where I had my first Budvar, and where they brew X-Beer 33, which is a story for another day (#debauchery).

Continuing on...

Check out their article, 16 Places to Drink Craft Beer in Prague - it'll make your mouth water for some sweet nectar that is beer.  Or maybe that just happens to me.

Either way, Na Zdraví!

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 

"Czech, Please: Prague’s Restaurant Revival" - WSJ

An article in this weekend's Wall Street Journal caught my eye because it's about my favorite thing...

FOOD

Kulajda (Creamy Soup With Dill and Poached Egg) 

JAMES RANSOM FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, FOOD STYLING BY JAMIE KIMM, PROP STYLING BY STEPHANIE HANES

Mmmm, Kulajda is delicious!  Care to try it at home?  Here is the link to the recipe

Kulajda - a modern version

Mmm Beer

All About Beer had a great article this month,Touring Prague: Understanding Czech Beer in Five Easy Stops.

Aside from Lokál, which I have not been to yet, I agree with their selections.  U Fleků and Klášterní Pivovar Strahov are two of my favorite places... old faithfuls if you will.   I'd say if you'll be visiting Prague, these 5 stops are a definite must.  Beer tour, anyone?

I've posted about Pivovar Strahov before and you can read it here, a well as Zlý Časy, which you will find here.

I think we can all agree that Homer Simpson says it best...

If I were a dude, I would be Anthony Bourdain

How many foodies do I have out there?  I am not sure if I ever made it perfectly clear that I love to eat.  If I have not, my apologies, and please let me spell it out for you...

I also just stumbled upon this blog called Bohemian Bites, and I am quite literally drooling at this moment as I stare at the photo of my favorite Czech dish, svíčková - Mmmm, come to momma, lover.

Bohemian Bites has a recent post of restaurant openings and food discoveries and I was surprised, and quite pleased, to see the Bánh mì sandwich (am a huge fan of this Vietnamese concoction).  Essentially, it is a fresh, crusty French baguette filled with steamed, pan-roasted or oven-roasted seasoned pork belly, Vietnamese sausage, spreadable pork liver pâté, pickled shredded carrots, cucumber and daikon, cilantro & chili sauce.  Now there are other variations as well since Bánh mì is a term for breads, but this is the classic.

So good I want to stick my face in it

Now I have yet to try Mr. Bánh mì, but if you do or have, I would love to hear what you think.  He is located at Rumunská 30, Praha 2, Vinohrady and you can check him out on Facebook

PS a cold beer goes really well with Bánh mì, just sayin'.

Life is sweeter with cupcakes

You all know by now that I can't get enough of the homemade baked goods from Sweet Life Bakery, so can you imagine my excitement when I discovered their stand at the Karlin Farmers' Market!  

I love to start off my Saturday with a stroll through the market.  Alena and Eric, the husband and wife proprietors, are always smiling and gracious (and make a mean espresso).  So what are you waiting for?  Head on over this Saturday, stop by Sweet Life, and tell them Eva sent you.  You'll be glad you did! 

Now please excuse me while I indulge in their delicious wares... 

 

When and Where: 

Saturdays 7:30-14:00

Karlin Farmers’ Market (Karlinsky farmarsky trh)

Karlinske namesti, Karlin Prague 8

How to get there: 

Metro to stops Florenc or Krizikova, Tram 8, 24 to Karlinske namesti

And the Michelin star goes to...

You may think us Czechs aren't foodies with our carnivorous appetites and our love for dumplings, all washed down with a good pilsner (Czech of course), but we are.  Oh, we are.  And this foodie is extremely excited to try Prague's haute cuisine at our Michelin-rated restaurants.

An article in yesterday's Prague Post informed me of just where I'll be dining...

Čau Down

The Prague Post Food Blog

Prague Michelin stars announced

Posted by Fiona Gaze on March 14, 2012

Alcron, La Degustation take top honors with others recognized

The long-awaited news of which restaurants — if any — in Prague would receive Michelin stars was released today, with the 2012 edition of Michelin Main Cities of Europe. Previously, only Allegro in the Four Seasons had received the coveted award, and since that restaurant’s closing in October, many had wondered if Prague would go starless this year.

The Alcron, a seafood-specializing establishment in the Raddison Blu Alcron hotel just off Wenceslas Square, is surely celebrating today, as its chef, Roman Paulus, was awarded one Michelin star. Likewise, La Degustation Boheme Bourgoise, long considered a front-runner for a possible award, finally has the star to add to its list of accolades.

Another of Michelin’s awards, the Bib Gourmand status, is given to restaurants in recognition for accessibly priced, high-quality food. SaSaZu, Le Terroir, Aromi and Divinis all retained their Bibs from last year, and new ones were given to Sansho and the Monastery restaurant, which has been rebranded as Lichfield with a new concept and a new chef.

While some may dispute the overblown authenticity of the Michelin star system, it’s nonetheless great news for Prague and the local dining scene for several restaurants to receive such international recognition for quality. Long gone are the days when anyone can say that Prague lacks a reputable fine-dining scene.

A new chapter

After Allegro at the Four Seasons closed at the end of October, in honor of its award-winning chef, Andrea Accordi, moving to St. Petersburg to open up a Four Seasons restaurant there, the Four Seasons in Prague decided to go a different route and offer up something completely different at its flagship Prague restaurant.

Cottocrudo opened two weeks ago with a celebrity-studded event, where press bulbs flashed and cocktails clinked, but the main star was the food. Even the trays of appetizers were delightful: braised beef cheek and potato puree, simple pasta with fresh tomatoes, fried risotto balls. It’s in keeping with chef Richard Fuchs’ idea for the new restaurant: simple yet elegant dining where the focus is purely on the quality of ingredients, not on the intricacy of a given dish.

I chatted with Fuchs a few months ago about his plans for the restaurant, which you can read here.  Last week I got the chance to stop by Cottocrudo to sample the menu, and I left about five kilos heavier but in heaven. For the best experience of the food, I’d recommend snagging the hightop table right by the raw bar; here, you can watch the chefs at work preparing fresh fish, mozzarella and charcuterie. Here are some photos I took of the dishes I tried:

 

At the raw bar is a “mozzarella bar,” where you can see the luscious cheeses stewing into goodness. The chef gave a tableside demonstration of how the burrata is made, by folding cream into the sack of leftover buffala: 

 

Next up was a selection of charcuterie from the meat fridge, where tempting salamis and proscuitto hang. This mixed plate came with braseola, parma proscuitto and salami Felino. While all were tasty, the salami in particular had a wonderful flavor.

 

A basket of bread arrived with these, a nice mix of freshly baked focaccia flecked with rosemary and some dense, flavorful bread. The presentation in newspaper was a nice touch, and a bottle of spiced extra-virgin olive oil proved perfect for dipping.

 

Cottocrudo has first plates and second plates in addition to starters, and the portions of many are decent enough to make a meal in and of themselves without pairing a primi and secondi, which can make a meal much more expensive. Out of the primi plates, the tagliatelle with boar ragout was a standout. 

 

This was intense comfort food, the ragout a salty, sweet mix of the dusky meat. A topping of shaved Pecorino gave a welcome bite, and the perfectly al-dente pasta below ensured that I ate every last bite, even though I began to worry how I’d get through the secondi I’d ordered. Greeting chef Richard Fuchs out of the kitchen, he recommended the sea bass that day, as he said it had just arrived moments before. It was indeed an incredibly fresh fillet, although in general I’m not partial to the white fish. A buttery sage sauce, bobbing with vongole and fennel, however, gave some great personality. 

 

Although it’s often hard to save room for desserts, the Amareno cherry chocolate cake was absolutely sumptuous.  While pretty on the outside, the light and fluffy exterior opened up to a sinfully rich wedge of fudgy chocolate within and tart cherries. 

 

Cottocrudo is definitely expensive, but it’s a bold new step for the Four Seasons that is worth checking out, if even just for a coffee and a dessert. Here’s the menu: http://www.cottocrudo.cz/images/documents/menu/LunchDinnerMenu.pdf

Other goings-on

SaSaZu, which can now further revel in its Bib Gourmand status, unveiled last week a new Philippines menu. The Philippines have a beautiful cuisine, with influences from Spain. Colors abound, and seafood and meat commingle with fresh vegetables, sweet touches of coconut and bright, zesty herbs and the like.

Another local favorite, Ichnusa Botega Bistro, is hosting its second event in its “The Taste of” series. Taking place this Sunday, it focuses on Venice this time, and will be presented in partnership with a restaurant in Venice, Riviera. The goal of the series is to be a “a cycle of events to taste the genius loci,” and combines sampling of a particular Italian region’s cuisine as well as experiencing its culture through music and art.

“The Taste of — Venice” will be held at Theatrino in the Amedia Hotel, Bořivojova 53, Prague 3–Žižkov, on Sunday, March 18, starting at 5:30 p.m. Lasting approximately four hours, there will be a welcome drink followed by a presentation of Images of Venice, a documentary, with live music performed by Luigi Nono, a Venetian composer (1924–1990) performed by the Prague Modern Ensemble. There will then be a tasting of traditional Venetian antipasti with a paired wine; Baroque music from 17th-century Venice by the group Collegium 1704, then a first course accompanied by a theater production, followed by second course and dessert with similar cultural entertainment. All courses are prepared by Ichnusa chef Ivo Koudelka, and are accompanied by wine.

Tickets cost 1,500 Kč and can be purchased at Ichnusa, Plaská 5, Prague 5-Malá Strana. Reservations are possible by calling 603 375 012 or e-mailing tasteofvenezia@gmail.com.

Wednesday's House Insignia of the Day Revealed...U bílého jelinka (The White Deer)

At the White Deer (U bílého jelinka)

There is no excuse for me revealing this one almost a week later...let's just leave it at that.  I also don't know very much about the history of The White Deer - anyone??

I can tell you that the building houses a restaurant called Restaurant Michal and that the building is pretty unique in that it says U bílého jelinka above the figure of a white deer.  The street it's situated on is very charming, too.  Take a look and walk around here

Location:  Náprstkova 8, Praha 1, Staré Město (Old Town)

Monday's House Insignia of the Day Revealed - U Zlatého hada (The Golden Snake)

House at The Golden Snake (U Zlatého hada)

Depending on why you ask, they'll either call this The Golden Snake or The Golden Serpent.  Call it what you will, but I'm going with snake.

This is a late Gothic house that was rebuilt in Renaissance style with Baroque and Classicist adaptations.  The insignia is from the beginning of the 19th century.   

Apparently, one of the former owners of this house was merchant from Damascus named Gorgos Hatalah, whose real name was Georgious Deodatus Damascenus.  Gorgos is also the guy responsible for introducing coffee to Prague, and I adore him for that.  Coffee wasn't popular like it is today, some would even say it was exotic.  

Gorgos would walk the streets of Prague wearing traditional garb - caftan, baboosh, turban - carrying a container full of hot coals to warm the coffee and a kettle atop his head.  He'd also carry small cups and sugar and would sell this exotic drink called coffee to people he persuaded to try the beverage.  Praguers were initially weary, but eventually coffee was running through their veins and they wanted needed more.  Gorgos was successful because he opened what was probably the first coffeehouse in Prague - it was located in the house U tří pštrosů (The Three Ostriches) in the Lesser Town.  Business grew though, and eventually his enterprise relocated to a larger location, and that was here at The Golden Snake.

Today, a cafe/restaurant is situated in this building, aptly named http://www.uzlatehohada.cz/ (At the Golden Snake)

Location:  Liliová 181/17, Staré Město (Old Town)

Wednesday's House Insignia of the Day Revealed...Dům U Černého medvěda

House at the Black Bear (Dům U Černého medvěda)

This house dates back to 1428.  It got its name after a statue of the black bear in chains. Its baroque façade is decorated with statues of St. Wenceslas, St. John of Nepomuk and St. Florian.

Today the building is a small hotel as well as a restaurant named Indian Jewel

Location:  Týn 6, 110 00 Prague 1 - Staré Město (Old Town)

Monday's House Insignia of the Day Revealed - The Golden Grape (Zlatý hrozen)

The Golden Grape (Zlatý hrozen)

One of the most beautiful of Prague's grape-bunches was raised on the home of a merchant named Ondřej Táborský in the first half of the 18th century.  In the Czech lands, the grape is one of the most prominent iconographic symbols, hardly surprising when we recall that St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech nation, is frequently depicted with his robes turned up, trampling out the vintage in the wine tub.  And indeed, Czech winemakers have always regarded St. Wenceslas as their special patron.  

Additionally, the martyred Prince Václav is linked to the earliest reference to the existence of a vineyard at the foot of Prague Castle, where he is said to have raised and harvested the grapes with his own hands.  

Nonetheless, the greatest expansion of wine growing in Prague, and the Czech lands in general, took place only with direct support for the diffusion of the vine from King Charles IV.  Through his edicts, the Prague vineyards, which then began directly outside the city gates, expanded far beyond the circle of the ramparts.  And yet today, there remain in the territory of the city of Prague a mere two vineyards:   Grébovka in the district of Vinohrady (literally the former "Royal Vineyards") and St. Clara Vineyard in Trója.

St. Clara Vineyard in Trója

Villa Gröbe (Grébovka) located in park Havlíčkovy sady, Vinohrady

Today the building is home to Restaurant Zlatý Hrozen, where you can enjoy limited quantities of wines imported to the Czech Republic from France, Italy and Chile by Víno Zlatý Hrozen

Location:  Železná 7, Praha 1, Staré město (Old Town)

Friday's House Insignia of the Day Revealed - The Golden Tiger (U zlatého tygra)

The Golden Tiger (U zlatého tygra)

Many different names and insignia were applied to this building throughout its rich history; only during the course of its remodeling in the Baroque style at the end of the 18th century did its owner have installed on the façade the stone relief of a tiger, illustrating the house's new and permanent name - The Golden Tiger.  By the 1820s, the building housed a coffeehouse renowned in literary circles, where the leading figures of the Czech National Revival debated long hours over their newspapers.  Now, though, for a great many decades the "Tiger" has depended far less on its coffee than its exceptional Pilsner Urquell beer.  

Of the connoisseurs of the frothing golden pints poured from the "Tiger's" taps, the most famous was certainly the writer Bohumil Hrabal, though the beer itself was far from the only reason he frequented this historic Prague locale.  

"The pub for me is not simply too loud a solitude, not simply the place where beer is drunk, but where the beer sets the tongue in motion, into creation; the pub is where language grows and new argots and phrases come into being", Hrabal wrote.  

Bohumil Hrabal

In 1994, U zlatého tygra played host to the American president Bill Clinton, at the invitation of the then Czech president Václav Havel.  The two statesmen joined Bohumil Hrabal and other members of his circle for a glass of beer after the duties of the state visit.

Address:  Husova 17, Praha 1, Old Town