Why I ate in a deserted former brothel

Czech food is good rib sticking cold insulating fodder that gives you a pleasant glow in order to face the arctic weather and goes well with beer.  Indeed, when I visited Prague, I found that while you could get top quality, artistic looking food, the good stuff was to be had in little restaurants in the back streets.

 

Also, don’t necessarily use the old adage that if the restaurant is busy it must be good.  Some Czech restaurants look a bit deserted but this is generally because they have seated people at the back of the restaurant and is really not an indication of quality.  Promise.

 

U Cerveneho Pava fulfilled the criteria of being slightly empty in a back street so it was a bit of a gamble. It is also a former brothel that Otto Von Bismarck frequented so comes with its own bit of history.   Yes, Yes, I know prostitution is frowned upon but it is an amusing claim to fame and certainly a good talking point.

 

Having been blow into the restaurant - which has changed its décor since its infamous past to something more traditional, Czech and wooden – we perused the menu which focuses on good solid Czech cuisine.

Goulash, burgundy glazed beef, wild boar with rosehip sauce and course pork pate are some of the highlights on the menu.  However, feeling unadventurous, we settled for the Garlic soup and schnitzel which was amazing.
 

Garlic soup is essentially chicken consommé with a croutons and a nice warm garlicky flavour which incidentally went very well with the red wine that we decided upon.  The schnitzel was a revelation.  If you are used to the nasty versions dished up by various supermarket chains, then visit Prague as they know how to do it right.

 
The schnitzel was crisp, not greasy and the pork meat was excellent quality.  Served with mashed potatoes which incidentally were creamy and tasty, it was just what we needed on a cold night.

Unfortunately, we were too full to try the pancake with wild berries but the table next to us ordered it and they seemed very happy if you judge by the noises.  As we trudged back outside to the cold, we congratulated ourselves on taking a risk and I would suggest that everyone tries this too.

 

L xx

 

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