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DUCK, DUCK . . .
Located in an opulent 16th-century mansion, The Blue Duckling is a romantic maze of tiny, sumptuously decorated dining rooms. Vegetarian options are in short supply, as the chef pays homage to traditional Czech recipes with rich dishes such as flame-grilled venison with rose hip berries, succulent duck braised with apples, raisins, and honey, and grilled pheasant smothered with a dark beer and almond sauce. Be sure to try a surprising bottle of elegant Frankovka wine from the local Moravia vineyards. umodrekachnicky.cz
LOCAL LEGEND
In the country spuriously regarded to have given the world Budweiser, it’s no surprise Prague is a paradise for beer lovers. Far from the packed city-center beer halls, the secluded Hradcany quarter boasts a hidden gem. The historic Black Ox and its beautiful pastel frescoes were saved from developers when a local association of beer drinkers clubbed together to preserve the genuine local pub. Try a foaming mug of the locally brewed pilsner, probably the world’s most unpronounceable beer — Velkopopovický Kozel.
MODERN EATERY
The Prague dining scene now extends to a new generation of designer restaurants located a little outside the historical center, offering creative, modern cuisine. A 15-minute taxi ride to the bohemian Holešovice quarter takes you to The Eatery, whose minimalist, industrialstyle interiors are dominated by a lively open kitchen where young chefs select local, seasonal ingredients to prepare surprising dishes: crunchy marinated red and yellow beetroot with goat yogurt, creamy white asparagus soup, or delicate fillets of freshwater char paired with broccoli and smoked trout sauce. theeatery.cz glass with raw concrete. After browsing, wander through the idyllic garden. artiseme.com
SLOW FASHION
While Czech designers may be little known outside their own country, fashionistas looking for an original outfit should check out the latest creations by Prague stylist Lucie Kutalkova. Described as “slow fashion,” the romantic, flowing designs of her Leeda brand are all made here from locally sourced materials, often using traditional handicraft techniques. This chic Old Town boutique also displays jewelry by Czech artists, and Lucie herself is often around to talk to clients. leeda.cz