Chlebíčky - a favourite Czech culinary creation.

The Toronto NOW magazine publishes a list of the best places in Toronto to have a brunch. Most people in the Czech community know Prague Fine Food Emporium under various names (U Pichlíka, Prague Deli, Pražské uzenářství, …), depending on when they first arrived to Toronto. Notwithstanding the differences in name, they will agree on one thing: that the inclusion of The Prague in a recent BEST BRUNCH list is well deserved. Great food, reasonable prices, and friendly atmosphere  have made it a regular destination for many Czech & Slovak expatriates, Czech NHL hockey players, celebrities, diplomats, the list goes on.

My favourites: chlebíčky, rohlíky, věnečky, and laskonky. Everything else on the menu is not far behind.

Congratulations to Tom and Helenka, to their parents and grandparents, on keeping Prague Deli a true oasis of Czech and Central European food in downtown Toronto for over four decades.

Radio Prague web site has an RSS channel dedicated to issues of concern to Czechs overseas – that includes us, Canadians of Czech origin, I presume. The channel is in (the horrors!) English language.

The feed for the RSS channel can be found here.

One of the main attractions of Masaryktown is the Prague Restaurant. In a recent review, the daily newspaper National Post brought a glowing recommendation for the restaurant’s Czech and Slovak cuisine. We hope you’ll pay them a visit, and will agree. Prague Restaurant opening hours and reservation information can be found at www.praguerestaurant.com.

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, a more joyous occasion happened in the heart of Toronto’s financial district:

After years of absence, the grandfather of all pilsners, Pilsner Urquell, found its way to taps at select Ontario restaurants. SABMiller, the importer, in co-operation with Consul General of the Czech Republic in Toronto Richard Krpač, hosted a grand-opening dinner at Toronto’s Beer Bistro restaurant.

After a brief address by Mr. Krpač, in which he instructed the guests on the proper pronounciation of Czech toast “Na zdraví“, the audience received a special treat: a presentation about the origin of Pilsner Urquell by Ryan N. Johnson, a beer specialist with SABMiller. He complemented his brief lecture with an explanation of proper ways to taste beer and enjoy Pilsner Urquell to its fullest. (more…)

In this age of political correctness, one would think that LCBO ought to know better than offend Czech national sensibilities. According to their recent advertising insert published in liquor stores, magazines and newspapers across Ontario, Pilsner, the Czech national brand, was born in… Moscow of all the places:

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We have come across a very beautiful site showing off some of the jewels of the Czech Republic in a 3D virtual view. Worth visiting!

By Ryan Knowles

I absolutely could not wait for the plane to leave. I had already put my suitcase into the hands of Czech Airlines, and was now desperately trying to shove my enormous carry-on bag into the top shelves. Finding this physically impossible, I resigned myself to a slightly less comfortable flight with my bag stuffed between my legs. I didn’t care one bit though; in a couple of hours I would take my first ever step on European soil, and neither an uncomfortable flight nor jet lag could spoil this amazing experience for me. Everybody that had been to Europe before told me that Europe was a very laid back and beautiful place, and I had heard elsewhere that the Czech Republic was one of the most beautiful places in Europe. I guess you can say that my expectations were a little high.

I arrived at the airport, and couldn’t wait to rush out of the airport and gaze out at the grandeur of the Czech Republic. I expected to see old castles and ancient Cathedrals. What I saw was a very modern city. I would be lying to say that I was not a little disappointed. I had expected some great and ancient buildings overflowing with history, and all I saw was a city not very much unlike downtown Toronto. As we loaded ourselves onto a bus, jet lag hit me like a sledge hammer. This, combined with a familiar and therefore uninteresting view, made me fall asleep almost before I sat down. (more…)