Prague Hotel and Restaurant U tri pstrosu or At Three Ostriches

[lhbrown]

Hi,

We recently visited Prague and stayed at the Hotel Hoffmeister which is an excellent LL property with a wonderful restaurant of which I can't say enough. However, we also discovered a charming small 4 Star First Class Hotel called Hotel U tri pstrosu (in English: At Three Ostriches) information at [email protected]. The hotel is located directly in the heart of the historical centre at the famous Charles Bridge and in the immediate visinity of the otehr distinguished Prague sights. A beautiful renaissance house from 1597 is situated in place of the original middle-age pub, which was frequently visited by Charles IV, the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor, when he watched the construction works on the gothic stone bridge in the 14th century. The house was built by Jan fux, a supplier of ostrich feathers, a fashion novelty of the time, who had the front No. 11 of his house decorated with three ostriches to advertise his business. Since 1606, thes three ostriches have been the symbol of the house. In 1714, an Armenian businessman opened in the house the first coffee shop in Bohemia. In the years 1972-76, the house underwent major restoration works supervised by Prague's conservation authorities. Its colored facade was renovated and the hous was rearranged to serve as hotel and first class Restaurant.
We had dinner there and were served an excellent Menu de Degustation with various wines matched to each course. We had quite a feast and walked back to our hotel quite happily. I would highly recommend this hotel, but especially the Restaurant by the same name.

[curtiejoe]

Hi travelfan



Your post on the Three Ostriches Hotel in Prague intrigues me because of its rich and colouful history going back to the late 1500s. I'm fascinated by your description of the restaurant that's in this old hotel and wonder what sort of meal you enjoyed there. Was it a Bohemian version of the famed and delicious Weiner Schnitzel or perhaps the traditional Czech Vareniky (Stuffed Dumplings)? Please fill us in on what delicacies you had at this venerable eating establishment.



Curt

[lhbrown]

Hi Curt,
Les Trois Autruches is a wonderful classic restaurant. You can get traditional local food there, if you wish, but you can also get a wonderful 6-course tasting menu with assorted wines, consisting of such delicacies as warm goose liver cream with mixed baby greens tossed in a warm balsamic vinaigrette and green asparagus tips in tempura, local venison served pink with chaterelles and truffles, broiled sea bass in a light cream sauce with baby lima beans, a palate cleanser of lime sorbet laced with slivovitz and yoghurt soup with vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate crumble. This menu would do any first rate French chef proud. The price runs about 49 Euros p.p. plus wine, but it is a meal to remember. Now, you made me hungry all over again...