The Czech and Slovak Restaurant

This is my favorite restaurant so I had to give it a 10; I love the food and the place. I've been coming to this place just about every week for the last few years ever since my polish friend introduced me to this place. It is a large spacious place that I can only describe as an oasis, after your meal you have this instinct to find a place to have a little nap. You can eat and then spend the evening watching Czech TV and drinking the best beers on tap. The only time I've felt this at home was in some rural church tearooms and mountain ski lodges. When I moved to London this was my home away from home.

Apparently this place was set up or given to the Czech service men who fought along side the allies in WW2. Many of them were Czech RAF pilots so there is nothing communist about the place. I read the original article review left by Matthew Norman and found it to be quite ignorant of both Czech cuisine and culture but also of the history of the Czech national house. I'm not Czech but I felt offended on their behalf and took it as an attack on my favorite haunt. It has been around for 70 years and as a non profit so it can use all the support it can get. Maybe eventually it will be given the National Trust when all the veterans and directors pass away. I guess then it will not fall victim to loose lipped, uninformed reviews.

The review that I am responding to is bleak and harmless makes so many unfounded references to communism that it is offensive to the memories of those who gave their lives for freedom in WW2 and those who left back to their Czech and Slovak homelands under the reds to find them selves imprisoned for their beliefs. The house was a meeting point for those exiled in the communist era. I just don't know how they got it so wrong in the article. The more I learn about this place the more I like it. It's a truly unique place.

Not all the dishes on the menu appeal to me, like the pork knuckle (only for the hardcore native Czech and Slovak customers) but they are 100% authentic. The review seems to slag off Czech/Slovak culture, the country and its food right from the start. There are like 50 dishes on the menu to choose from so there is always something you will like. My sister is vegetarian and they still had about 10 choices for her.

I love the beef Goulash! I get it with chips and grated cheddar cheese (instead of dumplings) and it's awesome! They also have something like Italian Gnocchi that is also very good. I think it's the Slovak national dish (I don’t know what they call it) but it's inexpensive and very good. ---- I think I'm going to hop on the 328 bus and go there now for one of those and a Pint.

Oh, one more thing,.. It’s open every day but Monday.
Comment on this reader review

Christophe
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, April 17, 2011

Went with a group of work mates for a leaving party for a Czech member of staff. Much nicer than the photos on their website show. Waitress was friendly and spoke good English. Menu is absolutely huge and has a wide variety of dishes. I enjoyed the food a lot. Fantastic value - 7 of us ate - starter & main courses for just under £95.
Comment on this reader review

Matt Read
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, September 02, 2009