Being a vegan can sometimes be a bit difficult when traveling to certain destinations. But that is definitely not enough to stop me from venturing off to some of these great locations. Albeit with a suitcase full of food…my rations as I like to call it!
And then you can imagine, or at least try to imagine the joys of realizing that there is in fact a vegan/vegetarian restaurant in the place that you will soon be visiting.
No, wait it get’s better…
Imagine what it would be like to have that place be right in the center of the town you are visiting.
In fact only a very short walk away from your hotel! Yea I was pretty stoked that I wasn’t gonna be ordering a wedge of lettuce and a few unripened tomatoes off of a meat eaters menu and to a server who had no clue how to even pronounce vegan…
I may be vegan, but I do have tastebuds!
So now get this…imagine that the restaurant you find is not only one that has a menu full of meatless opportunities, but that they offer local specialties as well!
It’s certainly not very often that a vegan gets to dabble in the specialities of local fare. And here it was right in the heart of Prague. The name is Maitrea, and this is where Elisa and I went out for dinner last night.
And then you can imagine, or at least try to imagine the joys of realizing that there is in fact a vegan/vegetarian restaurant in the place that you will soon be visiting.
No, wait it get’s better…
Imagine what it would be like to have that place be right in the center of the town you are visiting.
In fact only a very short walk away from your hotel! Yea I was pretty stoked that I wasn’t gonna be ordering a wedge of lettuce and a few unripened tomatoes off of a meat eaters menu and to a server who had no clue how to even pronounce vegan…
I may be vegan, but I do have tastebuds!
So now get this…imagine that the restaurant you find is not only one that has a menu full of meatless opportunities, but that they offer local specialties as well!
It’s certainly not very often that a vegan gets to dabble in the specialities of local fare. And here it was right in the heart of Prague. The name is Maitrea, and this is where Elisa and I went out for dinner last night.
Located a block off of the Old Town Square, and keeping rather late hours, this spacious dining establishment was bustling with customers and after eating there I can honestly say that I doubt they were all vegan or even vegetarian for that matter - they were there because the food is good.
But not only is the food good, but the service was pretty attentive, knowledgeable, and if I might say even....on the side of friendly.
Sure, I read the reviews and even had locals forewarn me about the lousy service that is to be expected just in general in the city of Prague. Not to take it personal.
But I would have to completely disagree, and go with saying that "you get what you expect" (so be thankful), and here’s another good one - "do onto others as you would have them do onto you" - ya know treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Anyhow, lets get on with the food since that’s probably why you’re here.
But not only is the food good, but the service was pretty attentive, knowledgeable, and if I might say even....on the side of friendly.
Sure, I read the reviews and even had locals forewarn me about the lousy service that is to be expected just in general in the city of Prague. Not to take it personal.
But I would have to completely disagree, and go with saying that "you get what you expect" (so be thankful), and here’s another good one - "do onto others as you would have them do onto you" - ya know treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Anyhow, lets get on with the food since that’s probably why you’re here.
 We started the night by ordering some beverages, I got a Thai Iced Coffee which was cardamon and sugar infused espresso with coconut milk floating on top, and Elisa got a beautifully colored tart Raspberry Lemonade. My coffee drink was quite yummy and it was served with a Biscoff cookie on the side (which I saved for to have for dessert). Next up was a cream of split pea soup, and while I’m already a fan of split pea soup, I’ve never tried nor heard of cream of split pea and I gotta tell ya it was totally DELISH! It was so good that I “forgot” to give Elisa a bite. It was so good that while I was eating it I was already wishing for the opportunity to go back and have some more. It was so good that if I were at home I might have even licked the bowl clean! Don't judge. |    |
Our main courses were next, I had excitedly ordered the Czech Goulash, and Elisa ordered the Greek inspired Quesadilla. While I was hoping to get the whole grain dumplings with my Goulash (I’m a sucker for dumplings - I mean who isn’t); our server had informed me that the in order for me to have it made vegan that I would have to opt for the grilled baked potato. Potatoes it is.
The plates were then delivered in a very timely manner, and both Elisa and I both devoured our dinners.
Being that Elisa ordered an item that had cheese in it, I could not tell you my own personal opinion of her Greece meets Mexico Rolled Quesadilla. But Elisa thoroughly enjoyed her order and ate every late bite of it. Who knew that adding Feta cheese to a Quesadilla would knock it out of the ballpark?!
Or maybe Elisa just has a thing for Greek Cheese!
The plates were then delivered in a very timely manner, and both Elisa and I both devoured our dinners.
Being that Elisa ordered an item that had cheese in it, I could not tell you my own personal opinion of her Greece meets Mexico Rolled Quesadilla. But Elisa thoroughly enjoyed her order and ate every late bite of it. Who knew that adding Feta cheese to a Quesadilla would knock it out of the ballpark?!
Or maybe Elisa just has a thing for Greek Cheese!
And then there was mine, well folks I’ve never had Goulash before and let’s just say that when I was done, I sent back a completely clean plate! There was nothing left of the onion and paprika Czech “stew” with faux meat analogues.
So basically all I’m saying is that if you are vegan, if you are vegetarian, or if you a just plain curious about this bustling local favorite, then I definitely recommend that the next time you are in Prague that you take a little stroll over the Maitrea!
Bon Appetite,
-T
For more information go to: www.restaurace-maitrea.cz/en/
Bon Appetite,
-T
For more information go to: www.restaurace-maitrea.cz/en/
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