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July 7th, 2008
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The taste of love

There are many ways to go for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner in Prague

By Dave Faries
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
February 7th, 2007 issue

Jan Přerovský/The Prague Post
Square turns cake and icing into a symbolic finish to its Valentine's Day meal.
Each year, as Valentine’s Day approaches, couples and wannabes are once again reminded of the virtues found in finer things. While food is always indicative of a particular culture, come mid-February it also reveals much about people’s feelings toward one another. A box of Belgian chocolates, for instance, sends a message quite different than a soppy bucket of chicken from KFC.
So choosing a restaurant for dinner on Valentine’s Day is a delicate matter. Unless your significant other is an unrepentant aficionado of modest Czech fare at decent prices, dragging him or her to Potrefená Husa Feb. 14 can only be taken as heller-pinching carelessness.
Fortunately, a number of Prague’s finer dining establishments are offering romantic dinners perfect for the occasion. Here’s a rundown of the venues and menu details available at press time, plus a few suggestions of our own. (Unless otherwise noted, prices are per person.)
Allegro (inside Four Seasons, Veleslavínova 2a, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 221 427 000) A four-course menu is available for 2,250 Kč ($100) or a five-course deal for 2,600 Kč. Select from such exotic items as pan-seared foie gras on a quince purée, or lobster ravioli with black truffle cappuccino. Finish with a heartwarming ginger chocolate mousse.
Ada Restaurant (inside the Hoffmeister Hotel, Pod Bruskou 7, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 251 017 133). Champagne to start — a thoughtful touch. Scallops in roasted pumpkin soup to begin with, and entrees include an updated version of traditional Czech duck. Finish with a chilled white-chocolate soup and whiskey-caramel ice cream. Cost: 1,490 Kč.
CzecHouse (inside the Hilton, Pobřežní 1, Prague 8–Karlín. Tel. 224 841 111) Choose from three courses with options such as veal and black truffle or sea bass with shellfish and saffron risotto, along with some amour-friendly desserts (rose petal ice cream) for 2,950 Kč — per couple. The price includes a courtesy car ride to and from the restaurant for those living within Prague’s city limits. If you don’t need transportation, knock 500 Kč off the total.
Kampa Park (Na Kampě 8b, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 296 826 102) You can choose from  a set menu of three courses, the entree being baked black cod marinated in miso and served alongside green asparagus. For dessert, an interesting milles feuilles of forest berries with Chantilly cream and aged balsamic. Dine by the river for 1,695 Kč.
Les Moules (Pařížská 19, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel 222 315 022). A great choice for  seafood lovers on a less-than-Alcron budget: steamed mussels and ceviche to start, a choice of mussels or tenderloin entree. Sorbet palate cleanser. Homemade vanilla ice cream to wrap up, all for 950 Kč.
Of course, a special menu is not really necessary. A few of the better settings for a memorable meal and close conversation:
Alcron (inside the Radisson, Štěpánská 40, Prague 1–New Town. Tel. 222 820 038) remains one of Prague’s top seafood restaurants — and space for only 40 guests ensures a measure of intimacy.
Aromi (Mánesova 78, Prague 2–Vinohrady. Tel. 222 713 222) prepares internationally recognized Italian dishes in a neighborhood setting.
Atelier (Na Kovárně 8, Prague 10–Vršovice. Tel. 271 721 866) is a moderately priced country French gem. The creme brulee ends any meal perfectly.
Bellevue (Smetanovo nábřeží 18, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 222 221 443) is a four-star model of white tablecloth serenity. Remarkable wine selection.
Essensia (inside the Mandarin Oriental, Nebovidská 1, Prague 1–Malá Strana. Tel. 233 088 776) is a refined space serving subtle Continental and Asian classics.
Flambee (Husova 5, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 224 248 512) fits the romance theme with extraordinarily precise white-glove service.
La Provence (Štupartská 9, Prague 1–Old Town. Tel. 296 826 155) may be more crowded than you might wish, but great French cuisine and a set 990 Kč menu more than compensates.
Mozaika (Nitranská 13, Prague 3–Vinohrady. Tel. 224 253 011) will impress your date more for approachable, yet somehow remarkable, food service than ambience. So be it.
Oliva (Plavecka 4, Prague 2–New Town. Tel. 222 520 288) deserves a look despite less-comfortable seating. Moderate prices, great dishes and a chocolate gateau that will make her eyes water.
Samurai (Londýnská 73, Prague 2–New Town. Tel. 222 515 330) has several private tatami rooms and intimate seating throughout. Very good sushi as well.
Square (Malostranské nám. 5 Tel. 257 530 109) Pick a corner table and settle in for a special Valentine‘s menu.
Sushi Bar (Zborovská 49, Prague 5–Malá Strana. Tel. 603 244 882) is an intimate and long-established nook known for surprising Japanese creations.
And if what you really want to say requires more than a few hours of high-end dining, Chateau Mcely (Mcely. Tel. 325 600 000) extends Valentine’s over the weekend. February 16–18, the hotel and “forest retreat” set in a 17th-century lodge northwest of Prague offers a respite that includes four-course meals, breakfast in bed, carriage rides and leisurely strolls in the woods. Other entertainment: belly dancers, romantic films and massage sessions. Packages start around 2,690 Kč per person.

Dave Faries can be reached at dfaries@praguepost.com


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