I don’t like wasting my time visiting places that don’t have excellent food. So Brian really had to twist my arm to persuade me to say “yes” to Prague. In my mind Prague is nothing but beer and carbs; and as someone who hates the former, and rebuffs the latter, I wasn’t sure Prague would be a good food “fit” for me.
So at the suggestion of my friend, we scheduled a food tour because she assured me that Prague is way more than just bread and beer.
The tour starts our auspiciously enough. Michael, our guide, solemnly hands me an “Emergency” cookie. He explains, “This is a 5 hour tour and you will be eating in 6 restaurants. I can guarantee you will be full by the end. However, we have long periods of walking so if you feel hungry at anytime you may eat this cookie.”
At which point, I immediately unwrap my cookie and eat it right in front of him. Shocked, Michael stares at me…and then wordlessly, he gives me another cookie.
Our food tour starts here-at Pernicky Bakery-an entire shop dedicated to all things gingerbread.
First up is the main Czech diet-meat! Specialties like Prague ham, “little fatties,” beef ham, rye bread, pickles, and mustard.
Czech cuisine is NOT vegetable friendly! About the only green thing I ate in Prague are the garnishes on these open face sandwiches.
Any vegetables are pureed into a baby food gravy and eaten with meat. This lovely offering is called Scickova, and is delicious.
Brian’s favorite was this swanky restaurant with an artisinal gin bar. Made with Monkey gin and Fever Tree Mediterranean, Brian declared it the best gin and tonic he’s ever had.
Sophisticated renditions of old favorites. This is roast duck with dumplings dusted in gingerbread crumbs and shoestring fried onions. This dish immediately evoked Christmas dinners for me.
We did do a little more than just eat and drink. There were periods of walking to see some great art and nouveau architecture.
And very avant-garde sculptures like King Wenceslas riding an upside down horse hanging from the ceiling.
Our food group-a fun and very polite bunch from Canada…and us. I’m pretty sure they all saved their cookie.
More walking but it was worth it. This is one of the most beautiful baroque altars ever created inside the Church of Our Lady of the Snows.
And as a finale…the most famous Czech dessert…apple strudel with whipped cream and custard sauce.
Our very first time on a food tour, and I highly recommend it.
Revisiting the Charles Bridge again and now I know why it’s so famous!
1:It’s old. 2: And with the statues, it is the perfect background for all those famous Cold War spy novels. 3: And finally, its’s the epicenter of the Czech pride, and boasts some of the most gorgeous views on both sides.
Across the bridge is Lesser Town but there is nothing “less” about it.
The views everywhere are pretty breathtaking.
It’s easy to see why Prague has been described as the most beautiful city in Europe.
You would think after 6 restaurants in 5 hours, it would be game over for us in regards to more food.
But we’re not quitters. We finished this enormous Pork Knuckle, but it was a Pyrrhic victory. Complete and total food coma…
What a day! Czech food scene totally surprised me in the best way.
Bon apetit Prague!