restaurant

hen I visit any new city, I have to face the same challenge - if I want to perfectly enjoy the whole day, I have to intricately search for different places and then find the way how to get there. But if you take my tip and head to Smíchov, you can forget this complication.

My story will almost start as a joke. What do an old Czech beer hall, a modern restaurant, a beautiful garden with seating in the courtyard and a stylish bar in the basement have in common? Despite their differences, they all form a perfect harmonious whole, with all parts complementing each other perfectly.

This quartet of places is located a short walk from the Anděl metro station in Prague‘s Smichov district in the same building. We started our journey with friends in the old Czech beer hall U Bílého Lva to enjoy not only the best Czech tank beer (Staropramen), but also the classic Czech cuisine. This unique place, where the visitor can enjoy the atmosphere of the old Prague, has been here since 1889! Moreover, on Fridays, the space will be enlivened by big beat bands, so the great experiences are guaranteed. But since the nearby passageway attracts people to visit the White Lion’s little bro- ther, the Fortel Restaurant, our curiosity made us to move there during the evening. And we couldn‘t believe our eyes. den is closed for obvious reasons.

Although the restaurants are adjacent, the atmosphere at Fortel couldn‘t be more different. The first thing that attracts your attention upon arrival is a pair of massive metal stairs. One is blue, the other red, and each leads to a different part of the restaurant. The unusually cascading space was, as the attendant explained to me, once a cinema, which explains the atypically high ceiling and the giant niche on one of the walls that makes one think of a movie screen. The space is open but has a complex structure. It has several levels, giving each seating position a unique perspective.

And then the details! Someone has really unleashed his/her invetiveness - the bar is adorned with a digital panel reading the name Fortel like in the Tetris game, only to be eaten by a Pac Man. Ceilings are decorated with beer barrels with light bulbs in them. There‘s a Scandinavian seating area with a fireplace in one section, and a more romantic seating area in another. A friend once told me that it‘s the toilets that say the most about the quality of a place. Here, Fortel scores, too. The walls of the toilets are adorned with seemingly broken tiles, with a cement substrate layer underneath. It‘s perhaps the most original design element I‘ve ever seen.

Since the day is far from being over with a visit to a restaurant, this unique Smíchov space has one more trump card up its sleeve. It is a basement cocktail bar called Back Doors. Here, the atmosphere changes a bit again. Dark interior, long bar, beverages are mixed by experienced bartenders, drinks to taste, a stage dedicated to unique performers. In short, the perfect stylish space to end the day in style, where you can enjoy a unique drink with friends. If anyone gets hungry, he/ she can have tapas brought in from Fortel www.ubileholva.eu

Fortel is decorated with a giant illuminated sign on the ceiling that reads „Smíchov always sticks together“. And the same goes for all the aforementioned establishments. Each is different and together they form a unique whole. The are not so many in the world.

A few advices at the end. Be sure to book your seat, the establishments are not inflatable. Fridays at Fortel are enlivened by the live saxophone and DJs. And it‘s worth popping in for the lunch menus too, the menu is varied and the prices very reasonable.

Sm Chovsk Zahrada

Na bělidle 30/310, Prague 5 - Smíchov Phone: +420 257 315 824 /smichovskazahrada.cz www.smichovskazahrada.cz

Back Doors

Na bělidle 30/310, Prague 5 - Smíchov

Phone: +420 774 292 620 /backdoorsbar www.backdoorsbar.cz

46

Žizkov pub with a unique collection of antiques offers a non-smoking section, cellar seating, table football, jukebox, TV sport matches, wi-fi and at least 10 kinds of beer on tap including its own wheat unfiltered beer Sádek 11°. This pub is appreciated by late diners - from Tuesday to Saturday the kitchen works until 4AM! The menu is made up of Czech and international cuisine, including vegetarian dishes or breakfast and lunch menu. They will let you in even with a dog and as a souvenir you can get a beer gift basket.

Erven Jelen

Hybernská 1034/5, Prague 1

Phone: +420 724 617 696 www.cervenyjelen.cz

Restaurant Červený Jelen has been a new cathedral of Pilsen beer since autumn 2019 in the splendid space of Šporkovský Palace in central Prague, combining the spirit of traditional Czech pubs with the modern concept of gastronomy and service. Behind Červený Jelen are the people of the LORD group,who love the perfect Pilsen beer, great food and perfect service. Chef is Marek Fichtner, and Radek Tureček runs the operation.

Istanbul Kebab

Krakovská 593/19, Prague 1

Phone: +420 777 917 380 ww.istanbulkebab.cz

The first kebab in Prague! Are you longing for Turkish food? Visit Istanbul Kebab. We recommend trying the Turkish pizza and you will be surprised with its form. Vegetarians will be able to choose meals too. As mentioned at the beginning, Istanbul Kebab belongs to the fast food category so the opportunity to take away your food is natural thing. However when you have time you can find seating there and you can taste the traditional Turkish tea along.

BOWL & TONIC

Slavíkova 15, Prague 2

Phone: +420 223 557 550 www.bowlandtonic.cz web: crossclub.cz | FB: @crossclubprague | IG: crossclubofficial

A unique combination of original, fresh and healthy cuisine inspired by the whole world and equally original Bowl drinks. They represent everything a Jungle like that has to offer. Varied and tastefully balanced dishes made from it with better quality and freshest ingredients. Fusion cuisine basedon the diversity of recipes across the Tonic world. The rich selection specialises primarily in variations of mixed drinks with a basis in the diverse flavours of Tonico.

Crossclub is a uniquely designed multicultural center that offers a real hybrid of cultures, genres and approaches in the middle of Prague‘s Holešovice. Open every day 12–morning.