Eating - Prague and the Czech Republic - page 136

Teahouses
Many Czech people are bohemian philosophers at heart and pre-
fer the mellow, smoke-free environs of a teahouse to the smoky,
traditional beer hall. Young Czechs are much more interested in
traveling to exotic destinations like Southeast Asia, Africa, or Peru
than to Western Europe, so the Oriental teahouses set their minds
in vacation mode.
While there are teahouses all over town, a fine example
in a handy locale is Prague's original one, established in 1991.
Dobrá Čajovna (Good Teahouse), just a few steps off the bustle
of Wenceslas Square, takes you into a very peaceful world that
elevates tea to an almost religious ritual. At the desk, you'll be
given an English menu and a bell. Grab a seat and study the menu,
which lovingly describes each tea. The menu lists a world of tea
(very fresh, prices by the small pot), “accompaniments” (such
as Exotic Miscellany), and light meals “for hungry tea drink-
ers.” When you're ready to order, ring your bell to beckon a tea
monk—likely a member of the Lovers of Tea Society (Mon-Sat
10:00-21:30, Sun 14:00-21:30, near the base of Wenceslas Square,
opposite McDonald's at Václavské Náměstí 14, tel. [phone]).
In the Little Quarter
These characteristic eateries are handy for a bite before or after
your Prague Castle visit. For locations, see the map on page 120.
U Sedmi Švábů (By the Seven Roaches) is a touristy den
where even the cuisine is medieval. Since America had not yet
been discovered in the Middle Ages, you won't find any corn,
potatoes, or tomatoes on the menu. The salty yellow things that
come with the Krušovice beer are chickpeas. Carnivores thrive
here: Try the skewered meats (špíz u Sedmi Švábů) , flaming beef
(flambák), , or pork knuckle (daily 11:00-23:00, Janský Vršek 14, tel.
257-531-455).
U Osla v Kolébce (By the Donkey in the Cradle) fills a peace-
ful courtyard just a minute of the touristy hubbub of Nerudova.
The laid-back scene consists of two restaurants with nearly identi-
cal simple menus, dominated by tasty sausages and salads (daily
10:00-22:00, Jánský Vršek 8, below Nerudova, next door to U
Sedmi Švábů, mobile [phone]).
U Hrocha (By the Hippo), a very authentic little pub packed
with beer-drinkers and smoke, serves simple, traditional meals—
basically meat starters with bread. Just below the castle near Little
Quarter Square (Malostranské Náměstí), it's actually the haunt
of many members of Parliament, which is located just around the
corner (daily 12:00-23:00, chalkboard lists daily meals in English,
Thunovská 10, tel. [phone]).