Okay, I'm not ashamed to say it, I miss New York! I know that in two weeks I am probably going to say that I wish I was back here in Prague, but for now, I miss New York!
Here is just a sampling (in no particular order) of the top ten meals that I miss the most!
1. Pommes Frites
Any New Yorker knows that the best french fries in the city come from Pommes Frites on Second Ave. While I do love the Poutine (cured Canadian Cheddar cheese covered with chicken gravy), I generally just get a large ($6.25) with one of the following sauces: Rosemary Garlic Mayo, Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo, Pomegranate Teriyaki Mayo, Parmesan Peppercorn, or my personal favorite (and the most boring selection) Cheddar Cheese. Go after a long night at Asian Pub!
2. Sugar Sweet Sunshine
Sexy Red Velvet (Red velvet cake with “The Moose,” which is their homemade Satin Buttercream). There was a point during the spring semester when I was eating several of them, each and every day. They're fabulous. Get them. Eat them. Love them. Tell Magnolia to fuck off. Enough said. And they're only $1.50 each! AH!
3. S'MAC
Easily New York City's best macaroni and cheese. It's divine. Fantastic. Orgasmic. What else can I say? I love it! I always get the same thing, which needs to change. I seriously need to be more open, but I love my usual so much: the Cheeseburger, which has Cheddar and American cheeses combined with seasoned Ground Beef. Get it with breadcrumbs. And it's so cheap! There are four sizes for all of their dishes: Nosh ($6.25), Major Munch ($9.75), Mongo ($17.00), and Partay ($41.00). Try it!
4. Chipotle
It's not chic. But I crave Chipotle on a weekly basis. I've tried almost everything that they offer, and have found my favorite: the Salad, with Romaine lettuce, vegetarian black beans, braised carnitas (pulled pork), guacamole, pico, and cheese, topped with their fabulous Chipotle-Honey vinaigrette, which is an amazing combination of sweet and spicy, which compliments the salty pork perfectly.
5. Pinkberry
Initially, I totally hated Pinkberry. I was like, ew, this is stupid. When I want frozen yogurt, I don't want it to taste like plain yogurt. But all of that changed. Everyone was constantly going there and so finally I decided to give it a try, and it was outstanding. My favorite? Original with raspberries, strawberries and chocolate chips.
6. The Spotted Pig
New York's best gastropub, and home to my favorite cheeseburger in New York: the Spotted Pig Burger ($17). It's a thick, juicy, chargrilled piece of meat, topped with Roquefort, and served with shoestring potatoes. SO GOOD! Also, I highly recommend either the Deviled Eggs or the Marinated Olives.
7. All About Food
It may not be glamorous, but I love going to All About Food for lunch. I always get one of two things... Option A: a mixed green salad with grilled chicken, carrots, kidney beans and feta cheese, topped with their very own Vinaigrette. Option B: penne with grilled chicken and prosciutto in the vodka sauce. Both are amazing. Both are cheap. Both come with garlic bread. And they deliver anywhere. Enough said.
8. Risotteria
New York's best gluten-free restaurant (to be honest, it could be New York's only gluten free place, but I actually have no clue). They make some of the world's best risotto. It's light. It's warm and creamy. Delicious. Filling. Fabulous. I never know what to order because everything looks so amazing. But here is a random sampling of my favorites: baby lettuce salad with mozzarella, tomatoes and asparagus; Arborio risotto (made w/ chicken stock) with porcini mushrooms; Arborio with shrimp, mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes; or Carnaroli risotto (also w/ chicken stock) with Italian sausage and portobello.
9. Miyabi
Absolutely fabulous Japanese restaurant right near Washington Square Park. I initially went there with my love Bryna O'Neill, and at first I was not too happy. It is down the street from the West 4th Street subway entrance on West 3rd. Looks a little 'eh' from the outside, but it is divine. And they have the BEST salmon teriyaki ever, for less than $14... and it comes with amazing Miso soup. Whenever I go with Bryna, we always end up splitting shrimp or beef Gyoza. Yum!
10. Cafetasia
Cafetasia has my all time favorite lunchtime special! And it's so cheap! For only $7 you get a small plate and a large plate. Again, I always get the same exact thing. Over and over again. It's just so amazing. Although, I must admit that the last time that I had my usual small plate, I felt so sick eating it because I had had them six times in one week. For the small plate: the Petite Cheese and Crab Stick Rangoon, served with a spicy tomato sauce. Large plate: the Chicken with Cashews, served with stir-fried chicken, onion, pepper, celery, and cashews coated in a roasted chili paste.
And one more honorable mention....
11. 'wichcraft
One of my favorite sandwiches in the entire world comes from 'wichcraft. I would put this higher on my list... however, every time that I go there, they never seem to have it on their menu. And if they do, they always say that they're out of something. So, normally I'm disappointed when I go there. But when I go and they have it, I just die! What am I referring to? The French Onion Soup Sandwich... also known as the Grilled Gruyère. It's a sandwich with Gruyère and caramelized onions that is served on toasted rye bread. A-MAZINGGGGG!
Well, in two days I will be in the United States. And in about ten days I will be moving back to my apartment in New York! AHHHHHHH! I cannot wait!
I miss you, New York!
Read More!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Return to Radost - Prague
Just went to Radost again the other day, and I have BIG news! I tried something new! Well, not completely. As usual I got the Garlic Cheese Bread, but I decided to be adventurous and get a different entree. Still a salad, but at least I didn't get the Greek Salad yet again.
This time I was inspired to try Romaine Holiday. Why you ask? Well, my friend Katie tried it and loved it. My friend Abbey tried it and loved. And I love the movie Roman Holiday. So I decided to order it.
It's a little overpriced for a salad (195 Kč), but when you think about it, that really isn't bad. Less than $10 for an enormous salad. Basically the salad is a blend of lettuces (mainly Romaine) in a sharp garlic-Parmesan cheese dressing with croutons and slices of fresh Parmesan that is served on their homemade pizza bread (thin pita that has been covered in olive oil and garlic, and then roasted on a grill).
Essentially it is a Caesar Salad -- but where can you find a good Caesar Salad in the Czech Republic? NO WHERE! This is as close as you are going to get. But it's refreshing and fairly healthy, and the dressing is really delicious.
Yet another fabulous meal and one of my favorite restaurants in Prague! Read More!
This time I was inspired to try Romaine Holiday. Why you ask? Well, my friend Katie tried it and loved it. My friend Abbey tried it and loved. And I love the movie Roman Holiday. So I decided to order it.
It's a little overpriced for a salad (195 Kč), but when you think about it, that really isn't bad. Less than $10 for an enormous salad. Basically the salad is a blend of lettuces (mainly Romaine) in a sharp garlic-Parmesan cheese dressing with croutons and slices of fresh Parmesan that is served on their homemade pizza bread (thin pita that has been covered in olive oil and garlic, and then roasted on a grill).
Essentially it is a Caesar Salad -- but where can you find a good Caesar Salad in the Czech Republic? NO WHERE! This is as close as you are going to get. But it's refreshing and fairly healthy, and the dressing is really delicious.
Yet another fabulous meal and one of my favorite restaurants in Prague! Read More!
Grosseto v. Overtime - Prague
Pizzeria Grosseto or Pizza Overtime?
There are two very similar Italian restaurants near my home in Vinohrady, and I am never sure which one I like better...
Let me break them both down! One thing however that I should definitely mention, which applies to both restaurants: the pizza is just blah. Especially if you compare them to Tacconelli's.
First of all, there is Pizzeria Grosseto near Náměstí Míru. It's a fun restaurant with a great atmosphere and it's awesome for people watching. Tiny but vibrant.
Here is what I always get:
Zuppa di pomodori
48 Kč
I have to say that this could quite possibly be the BEST tomato soup that I have ever had. It's like drinking tomato sauce that's been thinned out with cream and chicken stock. That may not sound too appealing, but it is to die for.
Penne con rucola e pomodori
135 Kč
Oh my god, I don't even know where to begin! First, a description: penne with sun-dried tomatoes, rucola, fresh basil and slices of Parmesan in a garlicy-olive oil sauce. The combination of the rucola and the sun-dried tomatoes, with the sharp Parm is refreshing and light. Get it! It really is one of my all time favorite pasta dishes, and you know what? I'm going to get it tomorrow for dinner!
In general, Pizzeria Grosseto is a great place, and the bread and butter (with tiny pepper slices in a garlicy butter) is out of this world. Negatives: slow service, and they don't refill your bread.
Okay, on to Pizza Overtime, which is just two or three blocks away from Grosseto. Again, the pizza isn't that amazing. It's equally as good as Grosseto... it is however cheaper, which is why I think Grosseto is a better pizza option.
Favorite dish?
Fusilli al Pesto con pollo
115 Kč
For those of you who do not speak Italian, or even restaurant Italian, let me break it down for you: Fusilli is the small, thick, corkscrew shaped pasta, and at Overtime, they serve it with small slices of chicken, and cover it with a pesto-olive oil sauce, and then they add slices of Parmesan on top. They are a little too excessive with the pesto-olive oil, but it's damn good. And fairly addicting. I find myself thinking about it often.
I like that Pizzeria Overtime is small and quaint, and the staff is ALWAYS friendly and attentive, but I not extremely impressed by their menu choices. And don't get the tomato soup unless you like tomato sauce soup. But their butter is equally as delicious as Grosseto (mixed with garlic and chives, yummy!)
I'm not really sure which restaurant I like better. When it comes to the atmosphere, I think I prefer Pizzeria Grosseto because it is more spacious and it is always filled with strange characters -- and people watching is VERY important! When it comes to food, I would again say Pizzeria Grosseto. However, I cannot bring myself to say that I like it better than Overtime because, well, I just don't. Know what I mean? Yeah. Read More!
There are two very similar Italian restaurants near my home in Vinohrady, and I am never sure which one I like better...
Let me break them both down! One thing however that I should definitely mention, which applies to both restaurants: the pizza is just blah. Especially if you compare them to Tacconelli's.
First of all, there is Pizzeria Grosseto near Náměstí Míru. It's a fun restaurant with a great atmosphere and it's awesome for people watching. Tiny but vibrant.
Here is what I always get:
Zuppa di pomodori
48 Kč
I have to say that this could quite possibly be the BEST tomato soup that I have ever had. It's like drinking tomato sauce that's been thinned out with cream and chicken stock. That may not sound too appealing, but it is to die for.
Penne con rucola e pomodori
135 Kč
Oh my god, I don't even know where to begin! First, a description: penne with sun-dried tomatoes, rucola, fresh basil and slices of Parmesan in a garlicy-olive oil sauce. The combination of the rucola and the sun-dried tomatoes, with the sharp Parm is refreshing and light. Get it! It really is one of my all time favorite pasta dishes, and you know what? I'm going to get it tomorrow for dinner!
In general, Pizzeria Grosseto is a great place, and the bread and butter (with tiny pepper slices in a garlicy butter) is out of this world. Negatives: slow service, and they don't refill your bread.
Okay, on to Pizza Overtime, which is just two or three blocks away from Grosseto. Again, the pizza isn't that amazing. It's equally as good as Grosseto... it is however cheaper, which is why I think Grosseto is a better pizza option.
Favorite dish?
Fusilli al Pesto con pollo
115 Kč
For those of you who do not speak Italian, or even restaurant Italian, let me break it down for you: Fusilli is the small, thick, corkscrew shaped pasta, and at Overtime, they serve it with small slices of chicken, and cover it with a pesto-olive oil sauce, and then they add slices of Parmesan on top. They are a little too excessive with the pesto-olive oil, but it's damn good. And fairly addicting. I find myself thinking about it often.
I like that Pizzeria Overtime is small and quaint, and the staff is ALWAYS friendly and attentive, but I not extremely impressed by their menu choices. And don't get the tomato soup unless you like tomato sauce soup. But their butter is equally as delicious as Grosseto (mixed with garlic and chives, yummy!)
I'm not really sure which restaurant I like better. When it comes to the atmosphere, I think I prefer Pizzeria Grosseto because it is more spacious and it is always filled with strange characters -- and people watching is VERY important! When it comes to food, I would again say Pizzeria Grosseto. However, I cannot bring myself to say that I like it better than Overtime because, well, I just don't. Know what I mean? Yeah. Read More!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Culinaria - Prague
So, I've yet to actually mention one of my favorite restaurants in Prague: Culinaria.
I am not even lying when I say that I come here almost every single day for lunch. Why, ask you. Well, it's cheap and it's damn good.
From 1pm until 3pm, you can get the lunchtime plate special for only 149 Kč. Each plate comes with a main course, a starch, a vegetable and a salad. What is really great about the food at Culinaria is that after I'm finished, I feel genuinely healthy. Unlike so many other places in Prague, where I feel as though I've just eaten my recommended daily intake after only two or three bites.
So, what's on my plate today?
First of all, I started with the Beef Stroganoff. Thinly sliced pieces of lean beef, in an amazing beefy-cream sauce, that has been filled with thinly sliced onions and shiitake mushrooms. Next, an amazing slice of quiche: filled with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. The quiche is fantastic for many reasons, but what really makes it tower above the rest is the flaky pastry. It isn't too doughy, but at the same time, it doesn't crumble immediately, leaving you with what resembles a pile of rubble after an earthquake. For my vegetable dish, I chose to get zucchini and squash which had been stewed in a delicate marinara sauce.
The best part about my main plate is ALWAYS the combination of the flavors from the various meals. Today, for example, the sauce from the Stroganoff blended perfected with the quiche, transforming the strong goat cheese into a warmer and more delicate cheese, that had a new flavor, one that was slightly tarty from the goat cheese, but also filled with a creamy, warm blend of mushrooms, onions and beef. On the other hand, whenever the quiche touched the stewed vegetables, the goat cheese was transformed into an Italian heaven from the marinara sauce.
For my salad today, I had the Greek Salad, which is easily becoming one of my favorite things from Culinaria. Filled with red, green, and yellow pepper slices, pieces of Bermuda onion, sliced Cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and pieces of feta cheese, and topped with a light dressing, the salad is always cool and refreshing. A prefect way to reminisce about those long summer days, despite the fact that it is freezing outside and that the sun is always gone by 4:15pm.
I have had so many amazing meals here at Culinaria, and I feel as though I need to recap some of my favorites:
1. Chicken breasts, stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy basil, tomato sauce.
2. Sliced pieces of chicken chicken, served in a thickened soy sauce with onions and sliced red and yellow peppers, topped with Sesame seeds.
3. Small, roasted potatoes with Rosemary, tomatoes and black olives/
4. Beef Lasagna (almost as good as my mom's, but not quite)
5. Chili with shredded beef, corn, in a tomato sauce, with Cheddar and Monterrey Jack running through it like veins in a wrist.
6. An amazing salad with chick peas and tuna, in a vinaigrette dressing -- DELICIOUS!
7. Lentil salad with spinach and pieces of feta, in an oil and vinegar dressing -- again, DELICIOUS!
8. Sauteed mushrooms and onions in a thickened beef sauce.
And one thing that is not part of the lunch plate...
9. Chicken Toscana Sandwich (129 Kč) Smoked chicken breast, fontina cheese, sun dried tomatoes, lettuce and pesto mayonnaise. With the smoky flavor from the chicken, the nutty flavor from the cheese, the distinct taste of the sun-dried tomatoes, paired with the crispness of the lettuce, and the smooth but garlicy/herby flavor from the pesto mayonnaise. One of the best sandwiches that I've ever had!
And what is also amazing about Culinaria is the fact that you can get just about every great western snack... including:
- Nacho Cheese Doritos (known as Tangy Cheese Doritos in the UK where they are shipped from)
- Häagen-Dazs
- Ben & Jerry's
- Skittles
- Fruit by the Foot
- Kettle Chips
- Heinz
- French's Yellow Mustard
- Jelly Belly
- Arizona Green Tea
- Fiji Water
- Kellogg's Corn Flakes
- Betty Crocker Cake Mix
- Carr's Crackers
It's a fantastic place to go, and I cannot recommend it enough. The food is amazing. The restaurant is clean. And the staff are always kind and ready to strike up a conversation. Especially if you've eaten there at least four times for the past two months.
INFORMATION:
Address: Skořepka 9, Praha 1
Phone: +420 224 231 017
Hours: Monday thru Saturday, 10.00 - 19.00; Sunday, 12.00 - 17.00
Location: Staré Město
Metro: close to both Staroměstská and Můstek
Attire: Casual.
Payment: Cash or Credit. Read More!
I am not even lying when I say that I come here almost every single day for lunch. Why, ask you. Well, it's cheap and it's damn good.
From 1pm until 3pm, you can get the lunchtime plate special for only 149 Kč. Each plate comes with a main course, a starch, a vegetable and a salad. What is really great about the food at Culinaria is that after I'm finished, I feel genuinely healthy. Unlike so many other places in Prague, where I feel as though I've just eaten my recommended daily intake after only two or three bites.
So, what's on my plate today?
First of all, I started with the Beef Stroganoff. Thinly sliced pieces of lean beef, in an amazing beefy-cream sauce, that has been filled with thinly sliced onions and shiitake mushrooms. Next, an amazing slice of quiche: filled with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. The quiche is fantastic for many reasons, but what really makes it tower above the rest is the flaky pastry. It isn't too doughy, but at the same time, it doesn't crumble immediately, leaving you with what resembles a pile of rubble after an earthquake. For my vegetable dish, I chose to get zucchini and squash which had been stewed in a delicate marinara sauce.
The best part about my main plate is ALWAYS the combination of the flavors from the various meals. Today, for example, the sauce from the Stroganoff blended perfected with the quiche, transforming the strong goat cheese into a warmer and more delicate cheese, that had a new flavor, one that was slightly tarty from the goat cheese, but also filled with a creamy, warm blend of mushrooms, onions and beef. On the other hand, whenever the quiche touched the stewed vegetables, the goat cheese was transformed into an Italian heaven from the marinara sauce.
For my salad today, I had the Greek Salad, which is easily becoming one of my favorite things from Culinaria. Filled with red, green, and yellow pepper slices, pieces of Bermuda onion, sliced Cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and pieces of feta cheese, and topped with a light dressing, the salad is always cool and refreshing. A prefect way to reminisce about those long summer days, despite the fact that it is freezing outside and that the sun is always gone by 4:15pm.
I have had so many amazing meals here at Culinaria, and I feel as though I need to recap some of my favorites:
1. Chicken breasts, stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy basil, tomato sauce.
2. Sliced pieces of chicken chicken, served in a thickened soy sauce with onions and sliced red and yellow peppers, topped with Sesame seeds.
3. Small, roasted potatoes with Rosemary, tomatoes and black olives/
4. Beef Lasagna (almost as good as my mom's, but not quite)
5. Chili with shredded beef, corn, in a tomato sauce, with Cheddar and Monterrey Jack running through it like veins in a wrist.
6. An amazing salad with chick peas and tuna, in a vinaigrette dressing -- DELICIOUS!
7. Lentil salad with spinach and pieces of feta, in an oil and vinegar dressing -- again, DELICIOUS!
8. Sauteed mushrooms and onions in a thickened beef sauce.
And one thing that is not part of the lunch plate...
9. Chicken Toscana Sandwich (129 Kč) Smoked chicken breast, fontina cheese, sun dried tomatoes, lettuce and pesto mayonnaise. With the smoky flavor from the chicken, the nutty flavor from the cheese, the distinct taste of the sun-dried tomatoes, paired with the crispness of the lettuce, and the smooth but garlicy/herby flavor from the pesto mayonnaise. One of the best sandwiches that I've ever had!
And what is also amazing about Culinaria is the fact that you can get just about every great western snack... including:
- Nacho Cheese Doritos (known as Tangy Cheese Doritos in the UK where they are shipped from)
- Häagen-Dazs
- Ben & Jerry's
- Skittles
- Fruit by the Foot
- Kettle Chips
- Heinz
- French's Yellow Mustard
- Jelly Belly
- Arizona Green Tea
- Fiji Water
- Kellogg's Corn Flakes
- Betty Crocker Cake Mix
- Carr's Crackers
It's a fantastic place to go, and I cannot recommend it enough. The food is amazing. The restaurant is clean. And the staff are always kind and ready to strike up a conversation. Especially if you've eaten there at least four times for the past two months.
INFORMATION:
Address: Skořepka 9, Praha 1
Phone: +420 224 231 017
Hours: Monday thru Saturday, 10.00 - 19.00; Sunday, 12.00 - 17.00
Location: Staré Město
Metro: close to both Staroměstská and Můstek
Attire: Casual.
Payment: Cash or Credit. Read More!
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Best (and Worst) of Bohemia
While I am pretty much over the whole Bohemia Bagel thing, despite the fact that I was eating there at least once a day at the beginning of the semester, I've decided that I still like it enough to include it on my blog. I've tried so many things though that I cannot write about just one meal, or one experience. Therefore, I've decided to make a list of my five favorite dishes, and my five least favorite dishes.
Five Favorites:
(these are in no particular order)
1. I Don't Want To Go Anywhere After This Breakfast
Biscuits and sausage gravy, three fried eggs, American bacon or sausage patties, hash browns, and mini bagel. I admit the biscuits are a little dry, and the hash browns have some unidentifiable spice, but it's a damn good breakfast. And it's only 169 Kč.
2. Chicken Salad
Chicken salad, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, lettuce, and fresh vegetables. Okay, the tomatoes need to be cut into smaller pieces, but this salad is always delicious. I've never had chicken salad with sun-dried tomatoes. Good idea. A full-size salad is 135 Kč, and the half-size is 75 Kč.
3. Turkey and Swiss
Turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and mustard... but get it without the mustard or else you won't be able to taste anything else. Only 105 Kč.
4. Hamburger
This is about as good as it's going to get when it comes to burgers in Prague. A plain burger comes with lettuce, tomatoes and onions, and only costs 135 Kč. But for 145 Kč, you can add melted American cheese, and for 155 Kč, you can add melted American cheese and bacon. They call it American bacon, but it's European bacon. The only place in Prague with good American bacon is The Globe.
5. Bottomless Fountain Drinks
It's probably one of the only places in Prague with fountain sodas, and drum roll ice! AHH! Only 49 Kč.
Five Least Favorites:
(these are in no particular order)
1. Bagels
They come in a variety of styles: classic, poppy, sesame, garlic, onion, cinnamon raisin, tomato basil, spinach, supreme, cheese, whole wheat, and chocolate chip. But no matter which kind you get, they won't be toasted properly. And the cream cheese won't taste like Kraft's Philadelphia Cream Cheese. And more importantly, they don't have sun-dried tomato cream cheese to put on their onion bagels. They are however only 11 Kč.
2. Chili
Specifically, the Vegetarian Chili with roasted vegetables. It's pretty much vegetables, and that's it. They aren't cut small enough, and it makes the whole thing WAY too overwhelming. Cost, 125 Kč.
3. Caesar Salad 65/119 kc
According to the web page, it has Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing, and croutons. But it's basically anchovies with a side of Caesar Salad. A full size cost 119 Kč, while a half portion only costs 69 Kč.
4. Healthy Hummus 105 kc
Hummus, black olives, olive oil, tomatoes, cucumber, and bagel chips. And let's not forget to mention garlic. Lots and LOTS of garlic. Yum? Only 105 Kč.
5. Philly Cheese Steak 155 kc
Grilled steak, onions and peppers, and melted cheese. Philly Cheese Steak my ass. It's all about
Dalessando's Steak And Hoagies, but I'll talk about cheese steaks once I get back to Philadelphia. Any way, this is NOT a Philly Cheese Steak.
(Just a warning, avoid the Quiche as well, and the desserts aren't so hot either) Read More!
Five Favorites:
(these are in no particular order)
1. I Don't Want To Go Anywhere After This Breakfast
Biscuits and sausage gravy, three fried eggs, American bacon or sausage patties, hash browns, and mini bagel. I admit the biscuits are a little dry, and the hash browns have some unidentifiable spice, but it's a damn good breakfast. And it's only 169 Kč.
2. Chicken Salad
Chicken salad, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, lettuce, and fresh vegetables. Okay, the tomatoes need to be cut into smaller pieces, but this salad is always delicious. I've never had chicken salad with sun-dried tomatoes. Good idea. A full-size salad is 135 Kč, and the half-size is 75 Kč.
3. Turkey and Swiss
Turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and mustard... but get it without the mustard or else you won't be able to taste anything else. Only 105 Kč.
4. Hamburger
This is about as good as it's going to get when it comes to burgers in Prague. A plain burger comes with lettuce, tomatoes and onions, and only costs 135 Kč. But for 145 Kč, you can add melted American cheese, and for 155 Kč, you can add melted American cheese and bacon. They call it American bacon, but it's European bacon. The only place in Prague with good American bacon is The Globe.
5. Bottomless Fountain Drinks
It's probably one of the only places in Prague with fountain sodas, and drum roll ice! AHH! Only 49 Kč.
Five Least Favorites:
(these are in no particular order)
1. Bagels
They come in a variety of styles: classic, poppy, sesame, garlic, onion, cinnamon raisin, tomato basil, spinach, supreme, cheese, whole wheat, and chocolate chip. But no matter which kind you get, they won't be toasted properly. And the cream cheese won't taste like Kraft's Philadelphia Cream Cheese. And more importantly, they don't have sun-dried tomato cream cheese to put on their onion bagels. They are however only 11 Kč.
2. Chili
Specifically, the Vegetarian Chili with roasted vegetables. It's pretty much vegetables, and that's it. They aren't cut small enough, and it makes the whole thing WAY too overwhelming. Cost, 125 Kč.
3. Caesar Salad 65/119 kc
According to the web page, it has Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing, and croutons. But it's basically anchovies with a side of Caesar Salad. A full size cost 119 Kč, while a half portion only costs 69 Kč.
4. Healthy Hummus 105 kc
Hummus, black olives, olive oil, tomatoes, cucumber, and bagel chips. And let's not forget to mention garlic. Lots and LOTS of garlic. Yum? Only 105 Kč.
5. Philly Cheese Steak 155 kc
Grilled steak, onions and peppers, and melted cheese. Philly Cheese Steak my ass. It's all about
Dalessando's Steak And Hoagies, but I'll talk about cheese steaks once I get back to Philadelphia. Any way, this is NOT a Philly Cheese Steak.
(Just a warning, avoid the Quiche as well, and the desserts aren't so hot either) Read More!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Brunch and Booze at Radost (plus some Lily) - Prague
I love Radost. That's it. There is really nothing more to say. It's delicious. It's amazing.
After being here for nearly three months, I finally got up early enough on a Sunday morning to go to the infamous brunch at Radost -- Prague's most successful club/vegetarian restaurant.
First of all, let me inform EVERYONE that it isn't a regular vegetarian restaurant. Normally, if someone asked me to join them at a restaurant that didn't serve a) chicken, or b) steak, I'd say no. But the first time that I went to Radost, no one told me that it was a meat-free zone. Without realizing it until my third or fourth visit, I've come to love Radost. In fact, I've ordered take-out from Radost for five out of the past six nights... I always get the same time: the Classic Greek Salad and one FULL order of Garlic Cheese Bread...
Garlic Cheese Bread
Foccacia bread grilled with cheese and garlic-basil butter
half order: 60 Kč
full order: 90 Kč
with vegetables: 100 Kč
Greek Salad
Red and green peppers, cucumbers, olives, and onion, topped with feta cheese served with Greek dressing and pita bread
170 Kč
Order it. Eat it. Love it.
So... any who... my first time for brunch...
Let me give you the back story though. Last night I went out to Harley's with Sam, and our friends Evan and Dina. They were wasted. I was *drum roll* sober. A rare occurrence (if you're reading this mom, disregard what I just said). But they drunkenly decided that we were going to go to Radost for brunch today at 12:30. Well, I woke up at 12:11 after going to bed at 5AM. But, at 12:31, Dina knocked on our door and asked us if we were ready. Ha. After quick showers, we were up and ready. And off to Radost we went. They were hungover. I, I was tired. And there is nothing better than booze to wake you up...
We got there. We ordered. Service was a little slow at first. But it IS the Czech Republic after all. For drinks, I ordered the Sleeping Beauty which is a Mimosa, made with strawberry juice instead of orange juice. AMAZING! And it was only 70 Kč. For brunch, I ordered the Iron Man for 150 Kč. Basically it was just a regular old omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese. It came with a side of AMAZING potatoes though. They were covered in a light sauce that was spicy, but not too spicy. And they didn't have a terrible seasoning that most potatoes in the U.S. have on them. The omelet also came with rye bread and an herbal butter. Bland, but okay. The meal was great though. Everything that I had hoped Radost brunch would be. I mean, it wasn't anything new or exciting, but it was a damn good AMERICAN meal, which is rare in Prague. And I think the fact that I didn't have one Sleeping Beauty, but six, really helped me out. After all that alcohol, the staff also seemed MUCH more attentive and friendly. So yay! But if you ever make it to Prague, GOOO!
And definitely go to Radost FX at night, especially on Friday or Saturday... although I've been on Wednesday and Thursday as well. I mean, it's awesome. Rihanna filmed her music video there for Don't Stop The Music. It's awesome. Although, I love how Rihanna totally uses an old New York City cab in the beginning, but in the background you can see a tram and Vodafone. Go though. It's one of the best clubs in Prague, and for less than 400 Kč you can be wasted, if you just keep ordering Absinthe and Soda (each 90 Kč). I normally pre-game with cheap wine, and if I order at least three, I'm gone. In fact, my friend Mark blacked out after two. They are potent. And amazing.
Little off topic, but I am currently listening to a song from Lily Allen's upcoming album, "It's Not Me, It's You." The track is "Everyone's At It," and I lovvvve it. It's a commentary on the drug culture, and people seem to either love it or hate it. For example, the the world's biggest, and fattest waste of life does not like the song, because he says that the chorus isn't catchy enough. Well, he's fat, and no one cares what he has to say. So, to Lily: I love your song, and the chorus is great in my opinion...
I'm not trying to say that I'm smelling of roses,
But when will we tire of putting shit up our noses?
I don't like staying up, staying up past the sunlight.
It's meant to be fun, and this just doesn't feel right.
Why can't we all, all just be honest,
Admit to ourselves, that everyone's on it.
From grown politicians, to young adolescents,
Prescribing themselves, anti-depressants.
How can we start to tackle the problem, if you don't put your hands up,
And admit that you're on them.
The kids are in danger, they're all getting habits,
Because from what I can see,
Everyone's at it.
INFORMATION:
Address: Bělehradská 120, Praha 2
Phone: +420 603 193 711, +420 224 254 776
Hours: 10:30AM to 3:00PM, 5:00PM to 12:00AM
Location: between Náměstí Míru and I.P. Pavlova
Trams: metro or tram to either Náměstí Míru or I.P. Pavlova
Attire: Casual, but chic.
Payment: Cash.
Price: Drinks are between 100 and 150 Kč, but at brunch, a Mimosa is 70 Kč, a Sleeping Beauty is 70 Kč, and a Bloody Mary is 100 Kč). Most meals are between 100 and 200 Kč, with side dishes between 50 and 80 Kč. Read More!
After being here for nearly three months, I finally got up early enough on a Sunday morning to go to the infamous brunch at Radost -- Prague's most successful club/vegetarian restaurant.
First of all, let me inform EVERYONE that it isn't a regular vegetarian restaurant. Normally, if someone asked me to join them at a restaurant that didn't serve a) chicken, or b) steak, I'd say no. But the first time that I went to Radost, no one told me that it was a meat-free zone. Without realizing it until my third or fourth visit, I've come to love Radost. In fact, I've ordered take-out from Radost for five out of the past six nights... I always get the same time: the Classic Greek Salad and one FULL order of Garlic Cheese Bread...
Garlic Cheese Bread
Foccacia bread grilled with cheese and garlic-basil butter
half order: 60 Kč
full order: 90 Kč
with vegetables: 100 Kč
Greek Salad
Red and green peppers, cucumbers, olives, and onion, topped with feta cheese served with Greek dressing and pita bread
170 Kč
Order it. Eat it. Love it.
So... any who... my first time for brunch...
Let me give you the back story though. Last night I went out to Harley's with Sam, and our friends Evan and Dina. They were wasted. I was *drum roll* sober. A rare occurrence (if you're reading this mom, disregard what I just said). But they drunkenly decided that we were going to go to Radost for brunch today at 12:30. Well, I woke up at 12:11 after going to bed at 5AM. But, at 12:31, Dina knocked on our door and asked us if we were ready. Ha. After quick showers, we were up and ready. And off to Radost we went. They were hungover. I, I was tired. And there is nothing better than booze to wake you up...
We got there. We ordered. Service was a little slow at first. But it IS the Czech Republic after all. For drinks, I ordered the Sleeping Beauty which is a Mimosa, made with strawberry juice instead of orange juice. AMAZING! And it was only 70 Kč. For brunch, I ordered the Iron Man for 150 Kč. Basically it was just a regular old omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese. It came with a side of AMAZING potatoes though. They were covered in a light sauce that was spicy, but not too spicy. And they didn't have a terrible seasoning that most potatoes in the U.S. have on them. The omelet also came with rye bread and an herbal butter. Bland, but okay. The meal was great though. Everything that I had hoped Radost brunch would be. I mean, it wasn't anything new or exciting, but it was a damn good AMERICAN meal, which is rare in Prague. And I think the fact that I didn't have one Sleeping Beauty, but six, really helped me out. After all that alcohol, the staff also seemed MUCH more attentive and friendly. So yay! But if you ever make it to Prague, GOOO!
And definitely go to Radost FX at night, especially on Friday or Saturday... although I've been on Wednesday and Thursday as well. I mean, it's awesome. Rihanna filmed her music video there for Don't Stop The Music. It's awesome. Although, I love how Rihanna totally uses an old New York City cab in the beginning, but in the background you can see a tram and Vodafone. Go though. It's one of the best clubs in Prague, and for less than 400 Kč you can be wasted, if you just keep ordering Absinthe and Soda (each 90 Kč). I normally pre-game with cheap wine, and if I order at least three, I'm gone. In fact, my friend Mark blacked out after two. They are potent. And amazing.
Little off topic, but I am currently listening to a song from Lily Allen's upcoming album, "It's Not Me, It's You." The track is "Everyone's At It," and I lovvvve it. It's a commentary on the drug culture, and people seem to either love it or hate it. For example, the the world's biggest, and fattest waste of life does not like the song, because he says that the chorus isn't catchy enough. Well, he's fat, and no one cares what he has to say. So, to Lily: I love your song, and the chorus is great in my opinion...
I'm not trying to say that I'm smelling of roses,
But when will we tire of putting shit up our noses?
I don't like staying up, staying up past the sunlight.
It's meant to be fun, and this just doesn't feel right.
Why can't we all, all just be honest,
Admit to ourselves, that everyone's on it.
From grown politicians, to young adolescents,
Prescribing themselves, anti-depressants.
How can we start to tackle the problem, if you don't put your hands up,
And admit that you're on them.
The kids are in danger, they're all getting habits,
Because from what I can see,
Everyone's at it.
INFORMATION:
Address: Bělehradská 120, Praha 2
Phone: +420 603 193 711, +420 224 254 776
Hours: 10:30AM to 3:00PM, 5:00PM to 12:00AM
Location: between Náměstí Míru and I.P. Pavlova
Trams: metro or tram to either Náměstí Míru or I.P. Pavlova
Attire: Casual, but chic.
Payment: Cash.
Price: Drinks are between 100 and 150 Kč, but at brunch, a Mimosa is 70 Kč, a Sleeping Beauty is 70 Kč, and a Bloody Mary is 100 Kč). Most meals are between 100 and 200 Kč, with side dishes between 50 and 80 Kč. Read More!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Lays
Back in New York, I would always buy the same exact thing at the Market Place at Kimmel: sour cream and onion Lay's potato chips. Always. In fact, I bought them almost every single day. Only days after arriving in Europe did I realize just how much I missed sour cream and onion, simply because they don't have them here. They do however have various other brands, which I have decided to rank...
5. Bacon (pretty much BBQ, with a meatier taste)
4. Paprika (as close to BBQ as you're going to get)
3. Salted
2. Spring Onion (pretty much sour cream and onion, with a greater emphasis on the onion...)
1. Fromage (sour cream and onion, but creamier)
Wow. This is sad. I just wrote a post about potato chips. And I'm not even drunk. Strange. Read More!
Meester Burger - Amsterdam
Yet another piece for my Travel Writing class...
No matter how hard he may try, a chef can never truly make a cheeseburger pretentious. As soon as one bite is taken, juices come flooding out of the beef, while ketchup and every other condiment begin to bleed their way out from in between the tomato and lettuce, both of which are sliding out from underneath the bun. Cheeseburgers are at the same time both messy and fabulous. They are a classic symbol of childhood: simple, delicious and unpretentious, three things that all foods should be.
I never realized just how much I enjoyed cheeseburgers until April 30, 2007– the day my father died. He had always valued the simple things in life, and cheeseburgers were one thing that he had placed atop his culinary pedestal. No matter where we went he would order a burger, whether we were at a five-star restaurant in Paris or a hole-in-the-wall diner in New Jersey. A few months after his death, I was sitting in a restaurant in Brussels with my older brother. It was one of those fancy, ‘jackets are necessary, and ties are recommended’ places. After being thoroughly disappointed by most of the menu, we decided to start a new tradition: every time we traveled to a new city, we would eat a burger for dad. That’s exactly what we did that night, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing ever since.
“Een Meester Biefburger.”
It was a cold, windy evening in Amsterdam. The snow had just started coming down unexpectedly, and frowns filled the small restaurant. Apparently no one had thought to bring an umbrella. Despite the dreary weather, smiles suddenly returned as the scent of Blonde d’Aquitaine beef filled the air at Burgermeester, Amsterdam’s most successful mom-and-pop burger joint.
Situated only one block away from the famous Albert Cuyp market, in the trendy de Pijp neighborhood, Burgermeester is a haven for burger lovers. While the menu is filled with colorful creations, ranging from a lamb burger with spicy jalapeño mayo to the tilapia burger with asparagus and saffron sauce, the most popular is certainly the infamous Meester Biefburger…
Made with a perfectly sized beef patty of Blonde d’Aquitaine – a hardy cattle from the Aquitaine region of France – the Meester Biefburger is then placed on a homemade roll, and is then topped off with grilled vegetables (usually eggplant and zucchini) and a special sauce they call “dragon mayo.” Addictive, simply addictive.
But more importantly, the Meester Biefburger is messy, and filled with luscious juices that trickle out as soon as your teeth tear away at the beef. A word of advice: at least four or five napkins are mandatory when eating the Meester Biefburger.
While the Meester Biefburger is a personal favorite, all of the burgers served at Burgermeester are delicious. And what if you simply cannot pick just one? Then order three of them. For only €9, the chefs at Burgermeester will make three miniature burgers, allowing any customer to try some of their other culinary achievements. For example, the falafel burger with chickpeas and Parmesan, covered in a homemade relish. Or one of Burgermeester’s newest creations, the tuna burger: a patty of Albacore tuna covered in sautéed Shitake mushrooms, with an electrifying wasabi mayo drizzled on top.
“I really cannot begin to describe them,” said Pieter van Kampen, 67, a longtime resident of de Pijp and a frequent customer of Burgermeester. “They’re the perfect cross between gourmet and…”
“McDonalds,” says his wife, Olivia van Kampen, 63, an American who moved to the Netherlands after getting married nearly thirty years ago. “They are extremely messy, but at the same time, they are just so satisfying and delicious.”
“And you aren’t just another customer here, you’re a part of the family,” she added.
“When our son was still studying at Universiteit van Amsterdam, he would just come here for lunch, and end up staying for two, three hours,” said Pieter van Kampen. “It’s just that kind of place.”
The van Kampen’s are right. Burgermeester is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. The cozy restaurant consists of only five tables, which each seat four people, and all of the tables face the open kitchen, allowing the customers to see just how fresh their burgers really are. At the same time, the small and cozy atmosphere allows every customer to join the Burgermeester family. In fact, on any given day, you could easily strike up a conversation with anyone from the chef or the cashier to the owner.
“This is my fifty-eighth burger for the day, and I’m going to be here for three more hours,” laughs assistant chef Jan Bakker, 27, from behind the counter as he prepares the monthly special: the Kalkoenburger, which is a turkey burger topped with a mild tomato salsa and pancetta.
“But there are always fun people here to talk to, so it never gets old,” he added.
As I finished my burger, it was still snowing outside, even harder than before. I wrapped myself in my heavy coat and scarf, and headed for the door, bidding the chef goodnight. Before sending myself out into the blizzard that took Amsterdam by surprise, I turned around, taking one final look at Burgermeester. Laughter filled the warm restaurant, and for one brief second, I felt like a little boy again, sitting at McDonalds in between my parents, happy and forever young.
INFORMATION:
Address: Albert Cuypstraat 48
Phone: +31 (0)20 670 93 39
Hours: Daily 12pm to 11 pm
Location: de Pijp, just west of the Albert Cuypmarkt.
Trams: 16 or 24 to Albert Cuypstraat.
Attire: Casual. Very casual.
Payment: Cash and European “PIN” card
Price: All the burgers are under €7 for full size and under €3.50 for a mini version. And what to do if you cannot pick just one? Try three mini burgers for just €9. All homemade shakes and side dishes are under €7 as well. Read More!
No matter how hard he may try, a chef can never truly make a cheeseburger pretentious. As soon as one bite is taken, juices come flooding out of the beef, while ketchup and every other condiment begin to bleed their way out from in between the tomato and lettuce, both of which are sliding out from underneath the bun. Cheeseburgers are at the same time both messy and fabulous. They are a classic symbol of childhood: simple, delicious and unpretentious, three things that all foods should be.
I never realized just how much I enjoyed cheeseburgers until April 30, 2007– the day my father died. He had always valued the simple things in life, and cheeseburgers were one thing that he had placed atop his culinary pedestal. No matter where we went he would order a burger, whether we were at a five-star restaurant in Paris or a hole-in-the-wall diner in New Jersey. A few months after his death, I was sitting in a restaurant in Brussels with my older brother. It was one of those fancy, ‘jackets are necessary, and ties are recommended’ places. After being thoroughly disappointed by most of the menu, we decided to start a new tradition: every time we traveled to a new city, we would eat a burger for dad. That’s exactly what we did that night, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing ever since.
“Een Meester Biefburger.”
It was a cold, windy evening in Amsterdam. The snow had just started coming down unexpectedly, and frowns filled the small restaurant. Apparently no one had thought to bring an umbrella. Despite the dreary weather, smiles suddenly returned as the scent of Blonde d’Aquitaine beef filled the air at Burgermeester, Amsterdam’s most successful mom-and-pop burger joint.
Situated only one block away from the famous Albert Cuyp market, in the trendy de Pijp neighborhood, Burgermeester is a haven for burger lovers. While the menu is filled with colorful creations, ranging from a lamb burger with spicy jalapeño mayo to the tilapia burger with asparagus and saffron sauce, the most popular is certainly the infamous Meester Biefburger…
Made with a perfectly sized beef patty of Blonde d’Aquitaine – a hardy cattle from the Aquitaine region of France – the Meester Biefburger is then placed on a homemade roll, and is then topped off with grilled vegetables (usually eggplant and zucchini) and a special sauce they call “dragon mayo.” Addictive, simply addictive.
But more importantly, the Meester Biefburger is messy, and filled with luscious juices that trickle out as soon as your teeth tear away at the beef. A word of advice: at least four or five napkins are mandatory when eating the Meester Biefburger.
While the Meester Biefburger is a personal favorite, all of the burgers served at Burgermeester are delicious. And what if you simply cannot pick just one? Then order three of them. For only €9, the chefs at Burgermeester will make three miniature burgers, allowing any customer to try some of their other culinary achievements. For example, the falafel burger with chickpeas and Parmesan, covered in a homemade relish. Or one of Burgermeester’s newest creations, the tuna burger: a patty of Albacore tuna covered in sautéed Shitake mushrooms, with an electrifying wasabi mayo drizzled on top.
“I really cannot begin to describe them,” said Pieter van Kampen, 67, a longtime resident of de Pijp and a frequent customer of Burgermeester. “They’re the perfect cross between gourmet and…”
“McDonalds,” says his wife, Olivia van Kampen, 63, an American who moved to the Netherlands after getting married nearly thirty years ago. “They are extremely messy, but at the same time, they are just so satisfying and delicious.”
“And you aren’t just another customer here, you’re a part of the family,” she added.
“When our son was still studying at Universiteit van Amsterdam, he would just come here for lunch, and end up staying for two, three hours,” said Pieter van Kampen. “It’s just that kind of place.”
The van Kampen’s are right. Burgermeester is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. The cozy restaurant consists of only five tables, which each seat four people, and all of the tables face the open kitchen, allowing the customers to see just how fresh their burgers really are. At the same time, the small and cozy atmosphere allows every customer to join the Burgermeester family. In fact, on any given day, you could easily strike up a conversation with anyone from the chef or the cashier to the owner.
“This is my fifty-eighth burger for the day, and I’m going to be here for three more hours,” laughs assistant chef Jan Bakker, 27, from behind the counter as he prepares the monthly special: the Kalkoenburger, which is a turkey burger topped with a mild tomato salsa and pancetta.
“But there are always fun people here to talk to, so it never gets old,” he added.
As I finished my burger, it was still snowing outside, even harder than before. I wrapped myself in my heavy coat and scarf, and headed for the door, bidding the chef goodnight. Before sending myself out into the blizzard that took Amsterdam by surprise, I turned around, taking one final look at Burgermeester. Laughter filled the warm restaurant, and for one brief second, I felt like a little boy again, sitting at McDonalds in between my parents, happy and forever young.
INFORMATION:
Address: Albert Cuypstraat 48
Phone: +31 (0)20 670 93 39
Hours: Daily 12pm to 11 pm
Location: de Pijp, just west of the Albert Cuypmarkt.
Trams: 16 or 24 to Albert Cuypstraat.
Attire: Casual. Very casual.
Payment: Cash and European “PIN” card
Price: All the burgers are under €7 for full size and under €3.50 for a mini version. And what to do if you cannot pick just one? Try three mini burgers for just €9. All homemade shakes and side dishes are under €7 as well. Read More!
A Czech Delicacy
This following piece was written for a course that I am currently talking at NYU in Prague, Travel Writing.
It was a Saturday afternoon on Wenceslas Square, the commercial center of Prague, and as usual, hoards of tourists filled the street as they listened to their tour guides, who spoke just about every language known to man. I pushed and shoved my way through, heading towards my goal. It was so close that I could almost smell it. Almost.
After working my way through the “CONNOR FAMILY REUNION 2008,” according to their lime green t-shirts,
I spotted it: a small silver kiosk with bright red signs lining its top. It may have seemed like a typical New York hot dog stand, dingy and greasy, but it was different, special somehow.
Fodor’s and Frommer’s have called it a “hot spot,” and “a place not to be missed.” Or as Dorling Kindersley put it, “a slice of culinary genius, for the late night connoisseur.” Oddly enough, however, the tourists in the large group surrounding the kiosk were all ordering the wrong delicacy that day.
“One hamburger,” cried a Brit.
“Jedna sausage,” shouted an American. I chuckled; American tourists always pretend to be “fluent” in the native language. But I should not have laughed since that was exactly what I did next.
“Smazeny syr, prosim.”
Before coming to Prague, friends had told me all about the infamous sandwich sold along the square. And not once did it sound appetizing. Where to begin? Essentially, Smazeny syr, fried, cheese, is a thick slice of cheese, preferably edam, covered in egg and breadcrumbs, deep-fried, served on a hamburger bun with tartar sauce – I prefer it with ketchup – and purchased in droves by tourists and Czechs alike. Even though the current kiosks only date back to 1998, the stands have actually been located on Wenceslas Square since the late 1940s.
“They first appeared after the second World War,” said Jana Novakova, 49, a lifetime resident of Prague who runs one of the smazeny syr kiosks on Wenceslas Square.
“People come from all over to buy them,” she added. “One of my very best customers, he will drive here three times in one week from Brno.” Located two hours south of Prague, a drive from Brno shows true commitment to the fried cheese cult.
“Mothers and fathers bring their children here,” said Martina Janku, 38, who works at the same kiosk as Novakova. “And when the children grow up, they bring their children, and their grandchildren.”
“It’s a tradition,” she added. “People feel comfortable when they eat smazeny syr.”
I tried one on my third or fourth night in Prague. After stumbling out of the infamously wild nightspot Chapeau – or is it Chateau Rouge? – I found myself passing the kiosk on my way back to Vinohrady.
“Jedna smazeny syr.”
One minute and 35 crowns ($1.75) later, the warm oozing cheese fell upon my tongue, and I knew that I had found something truly amazing. The sandwich climbed to the top of my list of favorite Czech dishes, clogged arteries be damned! Read More!
It was a Saturday afternoon on Wenceslas Square, the commercial center of Prague, and as usual, hoards of tourists filled the street as they listened to their tour guides, who spoke just about every language known to man. I pushed and shoved my way through, heading towards my goal. It was so close that I could almost smell it. Almost.
After working my way through the “CONNOR FAMILY REUNION 2008,” according to their lime green t-shirts,
I spotted it: a small silver kiosk with bright red signs lining its top. It may have seemed like a typical New York hot dog stand, dingy and greasy, but it was different, special somehow.
Fodor’s and Frommer’s have called it a “hot spot,” and “a place not to be missed.” Or as Dorling Kindersley put it, “a slice of culinary genius, for the late night connoisseur.” Oddly enough, however, the tourists in the large group surrounding the kiosk were all ordering the wrong delicacy that day.
“One hamburger,” cried a Brit.
“Jedna sausage,” shouted an American. I chuckled; American tourists always pretend to be “fluent” in the native language. But I should not have laughed since that was exactly what I did next.
“Smazeny syr, prosim.”
Before coming to Prague, friends had told me all about the infamous sandwich sold along the square. And not once did it sound appetizing. Where to begin? Essentially, Smazeny syr, fried, cheese, is a thick slice of cheese, preferably edam, covered in egg and breadcrumbs, deep-fried, served on a hamburger bun with tartar sauce – I prefer it with ketchup – and purchased in droves by tourists and Czechs alike. Even though the current kiosks only date back to 1998, the stands have actually been located on Wenceslas Square since the late 1940s.
“They first appeared after the second World War,” said Jana Novakova, 49, a lifetime resident of Prague who runs one of the smazeny syr kiosks on Wenceslas Square.
“People come from all over to buy them,” she added. “One of my very best customers, he will drive here three times in one week from Brno.” Located two hours south of Prague, a drive from Brno shows true commitment to the fried cheese cult.
“Mothers and fathers bring their children here,” said Martina Janku, 38, who works at the same kiosk as Novakova. “And when the children grow up, they bring their children, and their grandchildren.”
“It’s a tradition,” she added. “People feel comfortable when they eat smazeny syr.”
I tried one on my third or fourth night in Prague. After stumbling out of the infamously wild nightspot Chapeau – or is it Chateau Rouge? – I found myself passing the kiosk on my way back to Vinohrady.
“Jedna smazeny syr.”
One minute and 35 crowns ($1.75) later, the warm oozing cheese fell upon my tongue, and I knew that I had found something truly amazing. The sandwich climbed to the top of my list of favorite Czech dishes, clogged arteries be damned! Read More!
May I take your order?
My favorite thing in the entire world: food.
A recent obsession brought about by my roommate: blogs.
I wouldn't call myself an avid blogger. I read them occasionally, some more than others. While I love hearing about the latest celebrity gossip, I couldn't really find a blog that I enjoyed reading. Mainly, a blog that talked about what I was interested in. That's why I decided to start this blog, so that I could combine my new passion for blogging and my love of food.
So sit back, get your forks and knives, and welcome to my world of food. Read More!
A recent obsession brought about by my roommate: blogs.
I wouldn't call myself an avid blogger. I read them occasionally, some more than others. While I love hearing about the latest celebrity gossip, I couldn't really find a blog that I enjoyed reading. Mainly, a blog that talked about what I was interested in. That's why I decided to start this blog, so that I could combine my new passion for blogging and my love of food.
So sit back, get your forks and knives, and welcome to my world of food. Read More!
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