Prague - Beer and Bread

Here we go. Back in February, I took my first trip to mainland Europe. So were do we decide to go? Minus 20 degrees worth of Prague. We saw a castle, a clock, a giant square, a church made of bones, and the largest stadium I have ever seen. But the highlight for me was our culinary experience. Deep in the heart of communism, well former communism, they do 2 things very well. Beer and Bread. I swear, every single thing we ordered came with bread dumplings. Eggs, steak, pork, chicken, everything with a side of bread dumplings. I even ordered a starter of bread dumplings, and it came with a side of bread dumplings. These people are crazy for carbs. I guess the main reason is to be able to drink more beer, and that I am all for. I really don't know how Czech people are skinny. Communism?

I really wish I had internet back when we went so that I could write this post a lot earlier, but I will do my best with remembering what we had to eat. This one will be heavier on the pictures, and lighter on the descriptions.  The best restaurant that we tried was called Cafe Savoy. It is a french/czech place that was recommended to us by our friend Laura. The food was amazeballs. I had Schnitzel, and Laura (my wife) had Steak Tartare. We had a sommelier who I will just say was rather flamboyant, but did an amazing job. He actually tasted the wine he opened for us, realized it was off, and brought us a new bottle. A great experience overall, and if we had this dinner in London, it would be 2 to 3 times the price.

Cafe Savoy - Steak Tartare

Cafe Savoy - Schnitzel(or however you spell it)

One thing that really sucks about Prague is that you can still smoke in a lot of bars and restaurants in the city. When you travel with 2 people with asthma, it really makes the experience not enjoyable for everyone (Landon and Laura did very well though). One awesome thing about smoking in restaurants is that some places make you feel like you are in the 1950's sitting next to the rat pack (for all the old timers reading this thing). Beware of this if you decide to travel to Prague.

Fish wrapped in Bacon

Pork and beef Kebab with bread dumplings somewhere

Next up for us was a day trip to Kutna Hora. This place was creepy and smelled of communism. It was actually a really cool town even though it was freezing. It is the home of the Bone Church. Exactly what it sounds like. Seriously, google it. It also has a beautiful cathedral that was almost the replica of the cathedral in the Prague Castle. We were recommended this side trip by our friend Brendan and Becca, and we were not disappointed. I did do my research though. Dačický beerhall. Awesome old pub in the middle of the town. When you go, there is one thing to order. The pork Knuckle (as follows). This was probably the best pork roast I have ever had, and it is even served on a spit. Amazing. I made the mistake of ordering a traditional Czech dish, svickova na smetane (Also as follows). It is beef sirloin in cream sauce, and by cream sauce, I mean cream sauce with whipped cream on top. Weird, I know, but rather tasty. The only reason why it was a mistake was because the knuckle was so good. I am getting excited thinking about it right now.

Pig Knuckle

Beef Sirloin in cream sauce

That brings me to the beer. Czech Pilsner is one of the greatest inventions of all time. 3rd only to my mom's lasagna and chicken n' waffles. Maybe not that awesome, but I enjoyed many many of them whilst in Prague. Krusovice, Pilsner Urquell, St. Norbert (which we visited and loved very much, also their garlic onion soup) and real Budweiser Budvar are all great. My favourite by far is staropramen. It is very available in London at a lot of pubs, but for some reason, just doesn't taste quite that same as a fresh pint in a smoky, Praha tavern.

St. Norbert Microbrew

Glass speaks for this one

So I say, go to Prague, plan to walk around a lot to work off all the carbs you will ingest, and honestly, just try some random, smoky, dirty, communist looking place, order a pils and some bread dumplings and enjoy one great city. I will leave you with a few random food porn pics. Please leave your comments and happy eating.

Czech Pate

Garlic Onion Soup at St. Norbert

RIBS!!!!!!!!!

Dona Cata - Authentic Mexican

Alright, first and foremost, I would like to thank the 3 people who follow this blog for not unfriending this blog. Over the past 2 months, I have successfully moved out of my apartment, moved back in with my parents, and ready myself for a year long adventure in London. Over the Christmas break, I am going to do my best, and leave you guys with some of my favourite places in my hometown.

Dona Cata. Victoria Drive and 34th Ave in East Vancouver. Currently, this is in the top 5 of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver. It feels like it is run by the only Mexican family in Vancouver. Every time I go here for food, I am never disappointed. I was first introduced by my friend Daniel, who being from LA is very picky with his tacos. On his recommendation, I took my wife there for lunch, then dinner, then lunch, then lunch, then dinner, all within about 2 months.

My wife, friend Daniel, and 3 mexicans (Manny, Pepe, and Liz) enjoying the aftermath.

Growing Up, I always thought that a taco was a hard shell/flour tortilla with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese, olives and sour cream. Apparently, my mom wasn't an authentic Mexican like 3 of the 5 of friends of mine in the above picture. Something awesome about having Mexican friends (besides free oil changes on my El Camino) is showing me what authentic Mexican food really is. And in that regard, Dona Cata seems to hits on all levels.

Nopales and Longaniza Tacos

A traditional taco is your choice of filling with raw onions, cilantro in a corn tortilla. I have tried most of the fillings at Dona Cata but the hits are definitely the BARBACOA DE BORREGO which is slow braised lamb in secret spices, and the LONGANIZA which is cured pork sausage. Always remember as well,  you can never squeeze enough lime on your taco.

Barbacoa, Al Pastor, and Carnitas Tacos

Other great hits on this menu are the nopales tacos (my wife's favourite) which is cooked cactus served with Longaniza and all the fixin's. Gringa's, which are folded over tacos on a flour tortilla, cheese, and your choice of taco fillings. My personal favourite, the Mole chicken. Chocolate and Chicken, does it get better than that.

Mole chicken with Beans and Rice

A nice perk of Dona Cata is their salsa bar (see picture below). 8 homemade salsas, ranging from mild, quality taste to "Wow, i am not going to enjoy this experience in about 2 hours" hot.

Dona Cata's Salsa Bar

So, in summary. $2 tacos, 2 margaritas for $8, and if you go here and drop $50, you will eat and drink like a king. Dona Cata is a hit on all levels. Go there with some friends, order 5 tacos, a couple dishes to share, and a michelada (a sort of beer caesar) and a couple margaritas and you will definitely be satisfied or champified (I believe that will now be an official term). So, on that note, enjoy one of these below, please leave your comments and happy eating.

A cold Negra Modelo served always in an ice cold glass