Archives for “local” tag

I like flowers and I like to decorate our home with freshly cut flowers to make it more cozy (which works perfectly until my naughty cat tries to be a gardener).

My favorite spot where I buy flowers is called Belles Fleurs. One branch of it is situated just a few steps from the famous Radost FX (check the Radost FX article), another location can be found in Prague 7 and there is a new one in Jindrisska street (just a few steps from Vaclavske namesti). I like Belles Fleurs because they have a variety of already prepared bouquets (both one kind and mixed flowers) which are reasonably priced. You can of course let the florist assemble a bouquet by picking up single flowers.

At the conclusion, a little recommendation for men: if you would like to have a romantic dinner in Prague with your partner or date, flowers would be definitely a nice thing to top it off. So don’t hesitate – now you know where you can find them .

Na Kopci restaurant, which is situated in the quiet villadom part of Smíchov is owned by two friends who have known each other since childhood. The outside of the restaurant might surprise you – it’s a typical building from the communist eighties. The inside of the restaurant is nice and modern, various family photos decorate the walls.

A couple of important things : 1) I strongly recommend you make a reservation, 2) the restaurant is non-smoking, 3) if you’re on foot, keep in mind that it might be quite a long walk uphill!

The cuisine can be considered as international – it consists of various selected dishes of different types. The menu changes during the year and reflects the seasons.

For starters, try the chef’s selection of six starters, from the main courses I can recommend one of my favorite dishes –  the beef tartare with fries, which has become quiet legendary for Na Kopci. Because the menu changes a couple of times during the year, so you can always find something new (currently they have a spring menu from which I had a delicious stuffed quail).

The fact that the restaurant is uphill might be positive at the end – if you do not want to take a bus or taxi on your way back, you can simply roll down with a big tummy

P.S. Last year, the owners opened another restaurant called Na Konci and also a bistro in Prague 6. You can check the website for more info.

If I want a small treat or a snack break downtown, I often go to Ovocný Světozor (ovocný = fruity), which is strategically situated in the passage Světozor just nearby a cinema. Ovocný Světozor has been here since the seventies (under a slightly different name) and its popularity continues nowadays.

You can find several branch stores across the city, but this one is the most popular one. I like their ‘watery’ ice cream (it’s more of a sorbet than a proper ice cream) which is one of the most popular items there and people are often waiting in queue for it, especially in warm and sunny days. If you don’t want to sit inside or can’t find a place, you can sit in Františkánská zahrada.

Ovocný Světozor has a big assortment of cakes (especially the fruity ones) and ice cream cups. As far as the cups are concerned, you can choose between the ones on the menu or compose your own one choosing from fruits, ice creams and topping components.

If you are not in the mood for something sweet, try the Czech tapas – chlebíčky. What is a “chlebíček”? Something typically Czech (Czechoslovak), not really healthy (often with mayonnaise), but incredibly tasty . Technically speaking, it’s usually a piece of white bread roll, covered with different stuff – butter, ham, salami, cheese, eggs, cucumber, potato salad etc. – there are many types of chlebíčky, don’t hesitate and taste some!

Everyone might have different criteria for what makes a good restaurant good. For me, general consistent quality is one of these. One of the restaurants which meets these expectations is certainly the cozy brasserie Café de Paris.

The restaurant, situated on the pleasant Maltézské square, is famous primarily for its original entrecôte. The sirloin steak is served with french fries, green salad with vinaigrette and pieces of baguette (my father who I brought there for the penultimate New Year’s Eve was really amazed, that the baguette was fresh and crispy which is really funny to hear, taking into consideration that he lives in France). The meat is accompanied with the famous Café de Paris sauce (which is a secret recipe). I like the way how it’s served – the meat and fries are on two small grills heated by candles.

Besides the steak frites, Café de Paris also offers a couple of other dishes which change during the seasons, currently the special menu is based on asparagus. Last but not least – don’t forget to order a dessert (I recommend you try the selection of desserts or cheese).

Overall, Café de Paris has a pleasant atmosphere – thanks to the place, great cuisine, decent interior and nice staff – which you have to check out yourself.

Havlíčkovy sady aka Grébovka is one of my favourite parks in Prague. You can go there and have a picnic, read a book, go there for jogging or even have a glass of local wine… Parents with kids will find two playgrounds in the park.

The park was built between 1871-1888 around a villa which belonged to Mr. Moritz Grobe (an important Prague industrialist of his time). You can find many interesting things in Grébovka: the above mentioned villa, an artificial cave (grotto), an ex “gaming house” (there is a restaurant now, but the old bowling alley is still in working order) and also a vineyard. 

I recommend you check out the wine cellar, which is open every Friday and Saturday from 14:00 – 21:00. They are curently offering 4 wines (3 whites and 1 red) made from grapes grown locally (=directly in the park’s vineyard) which are well drinkable.

P.S. A part of the upper park is now under reconstruction, but you can still visit the majority of the place.