Comforting fare to warm the heart
There is no other way to say this, but I LOVE the Czech Republic. Since I first set foot there some years ago (at that time the Communists were still in power), I have adored everything about the place. The country is a paradise of forests and scattered villages, the old architecture is a mixture of Gothic, Baroque and Rococo, the people are helpful and warm hearted and the food is out of this world.
It is with some sadness that I recall that have been unable to return to the Czech Republic for some years, but the other day all regrets were thrown aside with the discovery of a Czech restaurant right here in London.
Now I am normally cautious when some cultural trapping is transplanted from one country to another, so it was initially with an anticipation of impending disappointment that I booked myself a table in the said restaurant.
I need not have worried though; the cuisine was ample, wholesome, sumptuous and utterly authentic. Amongst other things, I had a sauerkraut, potato and cream soup followed by pork with sauerkraut and dumplings, some Czech beer and some Czech plum brandy.
The portions were huge, well worth the money and the owners were very friendly and helpful. There were other native Czech people there and the whole place had a community atmosphere. I was especially glad that the owners were happy to spend time with me as I brushed up on my long neglected conversational Czech.
If anyone is interested in visiting a totally authentic (and I can assure you that it is) Czech restaurant the address is:
Czech & Slovak House,
74 West End Lane
West Hampstead
NW6 2LX
020 7372 1193
Enjoy!