28 February 2015

Czeching out Prague

Hello lovelies!

What's the 4-1-1? And, more importantly, what does "4-1-1" even MEAN? 

You veteran readers will be aware that I'm quite a fan of the occasional epic adventure. My travels have taken me from Norwich to Nepal (although, thanks to my Geographical Dyslexia, I couldn't tell you which was which), and last weekend saw me jetting off for a mini-break in Prague. 


There are already countless websites listing the best things to do in Prague much more eloquently than I ever could, so I'm going to focus on the things I know best; weird stuff and food. Mostly food. Before reading any further, please make sure your seatbelts are fastened and your tray tables are in the upright position. Thank you.

Firstly, you simply MUST visit M&S in Wenceslas Square, just to admire the denim shark in their window. 

Seriously- why aren't our M&S stores' window displays this cool?!

Then, if you only have time to eat one thing while you're in Prague, you won't regret choosing the Domácí koláč from Cake Café Prague. It tastes like the love-child of a plum crumble and an apple sponge and, like all great romances, ends in tragedy. In this case, the tragedy was me being too stupid to think of emptying my suitcase and filling it with Domácí koláč before I flew home. 

The other tragedy is that it's SO delicious I couldn't restrain my fork for long enough to photograph it. So, instead, here's a photo of the banana-and-Nutella pancake I had there for brunch the next day. I usually try to visit as many different eateries as I can when I'm on holiday but, when the food is that delicious, a lack of return visit would basically be a crime. 


FYI - the fresh fruit juices are AMAZEBALLS, and totally balance out the fact you're eating whipped cream before 11am. Honest.

Before my visit, I was (not so) reliably informed that Prague's staple cuisine included copious quantities of waffles; so I naturally made it my mission to find some. My quest was harder than expected but, proving I'm nothing if not determined (especially when waffles are involved), I eventually tracked some down at Café Parisienne; where they also serve champagne and broadcast a continuous loop of Victoria's Secret catwalk show footage on a screen behind the bar. Of course. 

The French toast with berry compote isn't too bad either...

Post-brunch, if you feeling the urge to visit a local landmark or two, I'd suggest a stomp over the Charles Bridge to the Gingerbread Museum


The term "museum" may be stretching the truth a little, but just LOOK at all the adorable gingerbread. 


Being such a dedicated investigative journalist, I sampled some gingerbread hearts JUST FOR YOU GUYS, and can confirm it tastes as delicious as it looks. 

After discovering on day one that Cafedu make their hot chocolate with actual chocolate buttons, I thought I'd reached Peak Hot Chocolate. Less than 24 hours later, I was (blissfully) proven wrong. I still don't know what Paul does to his hot chocolate, but it is knee-weakeningly good, and as thick as school dinner custard. 

Paul's hot chocolate is EVEN BETTER than a Lion Angel Statue.
It's almost incomprehensible.

Finally, if you want to sample some traditional Czech food (or, y'know, eat something savoury) you can feast like a Carbohydrate King at Restaurant Trilobite; an underground bar, slightly off the beaten track, which seems to be frequented by locals. 

L-R: "Traditional" mash (e.g. full of pork and onions), potato dumplings, sausage and chips, and veggie risotto.

Have you ever been to Prague? And, if so, do you still dream about the Domácí koláč too?

Katie xxx

P.S. The architecture's not bad either, I guess. Although it's no Paul's hot chocolate...


16 comments:

  1. Alas, I haven't been to Prague. Funnily enough I was looking at a mini break there last week, on groupon or somewhere, but I don't even have a passport! I went to Gran Canaria when I was fifteen, other than that I haven't made it beyond Wales! This sounds like a fantastic weekend though - so much tasty food!
    I've been feeling the need for a change of scenery so we have booked a little break in Lincoln in the easter hols... not as exciting as Prague I'm sure, but we got a cheap hotel deal and I've never been before so Lincoln will do just fine!

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    1. Lincoln is lovely- there's a really nice tearoom there halfway up the steep hill that leads to the Cathedral. Your UK travels really inspire me- I definitely don't make the most of where we live. That said, I'm not ready to trade in my passport just yet :) xxx

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  2. Oh look at that gingerbread looking building!!! It is charming!!! I've missed your blogs. Did you have a lovely time then? X

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    1. I had a wonderful time thank you. Ate, drank, was merry etc. xxx

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  3. Your photos are great! What a fun trip. The food and hot chocolate sound amazing. And I so want to go to the Gingerbread museum!

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    1. Thanks Jen! You would have adored the gingerbread museum! I'll have to track down some UK-based equivalents for if/when you ever come visit :) I think Paul is actually an international chain, so you might be able to find his hot chocolate in Canada! xxx

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  4. Sounds like the best carby-chocolate fest ever. I think I'd get on well in Prague. That last pic is pretty amazing but I'm still reeling from the m&s denim shark!!x

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    1. It was rather fantastic on the carby-chocolate front. Isn't it brilliant?! Our M&S window designers definitely need to pull their (cashmere, Argyle-patterned) socks up xxx

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  5. Prague looks delicious, I feel like I won't die happy unless I've had Paul's hot chocolate now. So thanks for that. Did you ever find out the answer to those two great mysteries? Why don't we have denim sharks and what IS the 4-1-1? You blow my mind.
    M x

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    1. They're international Michelle - don't panic! You can find your closest one here - http://www.paul-uk.com/shop/en-UK/Shops (not that I'm trying to facilitate your death, happy or otherwise. Although if there's an option of how to go, face down in a vat of Paul's hot chocolate would definitely top that list...). xxx

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  6. This made me feel very, very peckish! It all looks amazing, glad you had a good trip.

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    1. I reckon food memories are the most important ones from any holiday, so I'll be remembering Prague for a long time to come :p xxx

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  7. We went to Prague for our honeymoon but must've been the opposite side of Charles Bridge to you. We went to the Gingerbread Museum (on the side we were staying on) but none of the other places you mentioned. We did have amazing breakfast at our hotel though (which included donuts) and had a lovely "Peasant's platter" for dinner, which is basically lots of pork and dumplings! Looks like you had a great mini-break! :)

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    1. Doughnuts for breakfast? That sounds like the best honeymoon ever! xxx

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  8. Oooh look at all the food! And that hot chocolate sounds pretty darn amazing :-) No idea "what" the 4-1-1 is, but I know "who" the 4-1-1 are if that's any help!? (girl band, early noughties, sampled Portishead on one of their tracks). Think I might still have their album somewhere... :-) xxx

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    1. Teehee - I'll have to look them up on Youtube! xxx

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