The Prague Feed: November 2015

With all the recent talk of hot dogs being pure evil, here’s to hoping the Prague wiener frenzy of 2015 is on the wane. The next it food? Poutine of course; pop-up La Belle Poutine is making the festival rounds, follow them to find the next outing.

Prague can never have too many taco bars, though. Open since September, Mexicali Mercado is also a specialty market serving fresh-mex quesadillas, sopas, and enchiladas in a casual setting.

Mexical Mercado/Photo: Facebook

The Czech capital is having a bubbly moment. Prosekárna, the Prague shop and tasting room devoted to Italian sparkling wines, has opened a new location on Myslíkova 16 while the just-opened Champagneria near Národní třída has cava, sect, and small bites.

Vegetarians are becoming incredibly spoiled for choice in Prague. In Anděl, Pastva vegetarian and vegan restaurant is drawing in crowds with dishes like mushroom-walnut pate and a lentil “tartare”, while VegSýr, a new cheese boutique devoted to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free cheeses, has opened in Vinohrady.

Prosekárna/Photo: Facebook

Riverside favorite Podolka, while not a vegetarian restaurant per se, has always been beloved by herbivores for its colorful veggie options. The newly opened Karlín location is no exception—and while it doesn’t have a riverside view it does have the same large portions of well-made food and breakfast options. We recently had St. Martin’s goose here and it did not disappoint.

Podolka Karlín/Photo: Facebook

Historic First Republic deli Jan Paukert was shuttered this autumn; in its place, a branded Kozel gastropub, Kozlovna U Paukerta. While the interior has undergone a complete renovation, the original floor plan is intact downstairs, a nod to the delicatessen’s nearly 100-year legacy.

Another recent closing that crushed foodies throughout the city was the location-challenged Ari’s. The popular chef’s Asian Temple has now opened on Bílkova 13 in Old Town and serves an ambitious menu of wok dishes, shumai dumplings, and sushi sets amid eye-popping décor.

Asian Temple/Photo: Facebook

Neighborhood favorite Aromi recently debuted a new concept open-kitchen, bistro, bar on Náměstí Míru; Hostaria, in its former location on Mánesova, had its soft opening late last week.

Caféwatch! In the far reaches of Vršocvice nautical-themed Café Bludný Holanďan (The Flying Dutchman) is all about the cakes; Cafe Letka by the metronome has eye-candy interior and gluten-free cupcakes; Cafe Des Taxis on the Anglo American University campus is a student hangout with vintage appeal.

Cafe Letka: Photo/Facebook

Some new and notable shops include Rybistro in Vinohrady selling fresh fish, seafood, and oysters as well as serving fishy take-away fare. Pivní Mozaika, with more than 500+ beers in stock now has a brick and mortar shop in Karlín.

Fresh-baked rye at Patisserie Nofech

The long-awaited Ambiente bakery project, Eska, is open. Czech dishes with a bit of a Scandinavian feel, open-faced sandwiches, and sourdough breads made according to Old World recipes are just a few of the menu items. (It was surprisingly empty on our first visit and the large chlebíčky start at 108 CZK!)

Eska finally opens in Karlín

On the drinks scene, Prolog bar continues in the grand tradition of over-the-top Prague cocktail bars with gilt ceilings, original cocktails, some featuring actual gold as an ingredient, and numerous variations on the gimlet. Náměstí Míru newcomer 20 PIP Craft Pub currently has a Matuška Svatomartinské among other seasonal taps.

• 20 Photos that Prove Czech Forests Are Paradise for Mushroom Hunters
• Discovering Prague’s Most Deliciously Diverse Sandwich
• Letná Harvest Festival to Include Prague’s Largest Farmers Market Yet
• American Professional Eater Wins Czech Plum-Dumpling Contest
• Czech Farmer Invents Summer’s Trendiest Ice Cream Craze