Jason Burleson, Author at Prague Morning

Sigur Rós, based out of Reykjavík, Iceland, are arguably one of the planet’s most intriguing bands. Their vocals are rarely, if ever, performed in English.

They prefer Icelandic but have no qualms employing a fabricated language called “Vonlenska”.

The band has consistently baffled critics. Over their twenty-plus years of existence numerous genres including “post-rock”, “dream pop”, “shoegaze” or “art rock” among many others, were utilized at some point whilst attempting to describe Sigur Rós’s sound.

Phillipp Malý, co-founder of Selection Promotion and self-proclaimed fan, partly attributes their sound to the band’s geographic origins. He states, “I guess that the music of Sigur Rós can only come from Iceland or a country with a similar landscape. All the lonely corners in Iceland, the heaviness of the steeply rising fjords in a soft misty atmosphere is very present in the songs like “Glósóli”; from the album Takk… or “Varðeldur” from Valtari”.

Ágætis byrjun is inarguably the place to begin with Sigur Rós. Its original release was restricted to Iceland before being picked up by labels in the United Kingdom (2000) and the United States (2001). Ágætis byrjun is the album that placed the band on a path that would lead to global
popularity. It’s also routinely considered one of this century’s greatest albums.

This was followed by ( ) (2002), performed entirely in Vonlenska, Takk… (2005), Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (2008), Valtari (2012) and Kveikur (2013).

It’s been 14 long years since Sigur Rós last played in Prague and there is exciting news for fans and potential attendees. The band is currently working on a new album and are expected to present new material at their upcoming Prague concert.

Original member Kjartan “Kjarri” Sveinsson has also returned to the group after a near 10-year absence.

The Sigur Rós live experience is especially noteworthy. They can be intimate and immense, melancholic and euphoric. Malý sums up the band’s live show in the following description:

“Sigur Rós concerts are full of emotions – it feels like taking a deep dive into an emotional landscape. Music is mostly about feelings, but I know few bands where feelings and music are so strongly intertwined”.

This is an accurate description. Sigur Rós can and will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that could leave you forever changed.

It should be obvious this is a can’t miss the concert and clearly one of this year’s highlights for live music in the capital. Fourteen years have passed since the band’s last Prague appearance and it’s finally time to welcome Sigur Rós back.

When: 9.10.22
Where: O2 Universum
Tickets: On sale now through Ticketmaster

The rise of vegetarianism and veganism in Prague has, in a positive way, altered the city’s food scene, yet an imbalance is still present.

Restaurants focused mainly on meat dishes are now forced to add – or at least think about the addition – of some sort of vegan or vegetarian fare. While vegan or vegetarian spots, for the most part, rarely serve anything that might appease a carnivore. This suggests a massive disconnect within Prague’s food community.

Spojka opened in 2019 and is located in Karlín, aims to bridge that divide and does so successfully. Their central ideology revolves around the notion of the flexitarian. Vegan, vegetarian, and meat dishes are all on offer here with a range of options that would suit any type of eater.

Before getting into the drinks, starters and main dishes it’s important to note that Spojka offers breakfast, available Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 11:30 and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 to 16:00. There is also a daily menu that, of course, changes every day. This is offered Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 15:00.

English breakfast at Spojka

The drinks on offer highlight the level of quality found at Spojka. There are several items, even though we didn’t try them, that stood out. The Homemade Kombucha and the Homemade Lemonade, with the latter consisting of grapefruit, lemon and ginger. It sounded amazing. The Immunity juice, made of orange, apple, lemon and ginger was fantastic.

Spojka offers two beers on tap and both were spectacular. These included the Novozélandská lager, from a brewery just outside of Prague, and an APA called Liberator produced by Vinohradský brewery. It’s best to try both. The wine list is vast and the customer should have no problem selecting a bottle.

Spojka’s starters are, like the concept behind this restaurant, creative. The vegan baked cashew cheese was an interesting dish and the scallops were excellent. The only complaint regarding the latter is the portion size after considering the cost. The price for two scallops shouldn’t run the customer 475 kč. It’s simply too steep.

The main courses on offer clearly displayed Spojka‘s commitment to the flexitarian ideal this restaurant is built around and each vegan, vegetarian, and meat dish tasted fantastic. The vegetarian and gluten-free Indian murgh makhani with oven-baked cauliflower is highly recommended.

Indian murgh makhani

Meat eaters can order the same dish with chicken substituted for cauliflower. The wild boar burger was beyond perfect. The seasoning and spices were applied in an expert manner. If you’re a carnivore this is not something to skip out on. However, the absolute star of the show was the vegan bao bun with pulled oyster mushroom (pork can be substituted for the pulled oyster mushroom).

The mushrooms tasted heavenly, but Spojka’s chefs deserve recognition for the perfect application of both hoisin and plum sauce, which added another level of flavor to an already exquisite dish. The vegan bao bun must be one of the best meals Spojka produces and is a good enough reason to return.

The service was prompt, friendly, and professional. They appeared quickly when needed, and, most importantly, knew when to stay away so the customer could enjoy his meal.

Spojka’s interior, with fresh plants hanging down from the ceiling, gives this space a calming atmosphere. This is not an accident given the detail placed upon the food served. It seems one of Spojka’s goals involves connectivity where vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters can enjoy the multitude of choices found on the menu and under one roof.

spojka prague

But goals or ideologies mean nothing for a restaurant unless the food is excellent. Spojka passed that crucial test thereby making it a spot to try out or return to in the bustling neighborhood of Karlín.

Address: Pernerova 697/35
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-23:00, Saturday-Sunday 9:00-23:00
Contact: +420 226 203 888

The largest virtual reality park recently opened in Prague’s Brumlovka area.

Avatar Park, with 500 square meters, offers a simulated fall from a skyscraper, a roller coaster ride, an attempt to defend a medieval castle, and a simulation of the Tour of France, amongst other attractions.

“It’s really like in reality, [with] all the details and how the whole seat is knocking with you,” says Vladimír after trying the roller coaster simulator.

A simulated fall from a skyscraper is one of Avatar Park’s best attractions. Another outstanding experience occurs when a person is placed on his stomach and then sent backward and forward achieving the feeling of flying through the air.

The park is suitable for all ages including children. The entrance is 580 Kč and valid for everything up to an hour.

“It is the largest game park with unique attractions that are not to be tried anywhere else in the virtual world. VR Park Avatar best describes words like adrenaline or an extreme experience,” stated project author Dan Broulík.

Virtual reality experiences are rapidly increasing in popularity throughout the Czech Republic.

Prague, with Avatar Park, can now welcome this new and exciting experience for both residents and out-of-town visitors.

Avatar Park prague

QQ Asian Kitchen, after opening its doors in 2017, very quickly became one of the most talked-about restaurants in the city.

The cuisine – a mixture of food from Bali and Taiwan with several other culinary stops along the way – was not something readily available in Prague. QQ Asian Kitchen became almost immediately successful.

The food was excellent and the seats were full. That has not changed. The level of quality at QQ Asian Kitchen remains top-notch.

QQ Asian Kitchen’s location, however, did change in the spring of 2020 and is now attached to Mosaic House Design Hotel. A location change for a restaurant with an already fixed reputation could be a risky endeavor, but everything is contingent on the quality of food and service. That, as stated, remains the same. QQ Asian Kitchen is an amazing place to visit and clearly deserves its very recent placement in the Michelin guide.

Come hungry and do not skip out on the starters. Some of the most interesting and amazing dishes are to be found there. Seafood lovers should try the soft shell crab mushu taco alongside the seared yellowtail sashimi with butter ponzu vinaigrette. These are both pristine examples of what the chefs produce at this establishment.

Main courses are just as stunning. The slow-cooked beef rendang is an all-time favorite one never tires of and the sea bass, presented in a banana leaf, was seasoned perfectly. The only vegetarian dish on the menu were the gado gado vegetables with tofu and peanut sauce. Both the steamed and yellow coconut rice are recommended in tandem. The homemade cassava crackers were also a very nice touch.

Beef rendang

The wine list is impressive and extensive. A glass of the Rioja Crianza was recommended and complimented everything eaten. Únětice beer is available on draft and went down quite well with some of the spicier dishes tried. An Indonesian beer is normally also offered but not available at the time of our visit.

The service was both exceedingly professional, efficient, and very friendly. It is not odd for the chef to come out and inquire about how your meal and overall experience is going. Both chefs genuinely seem to care. QQ Asian Kitchen, once more, is listed in the Michelin guide for a reason. The service is also part of that.

It is important to note that a reservation is very likely needed every evening. QQ fills up quickly. There is a very affordable and interesting lunch menu available Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 15:00. If a mid-afternoon visit occurs it’s possible you’ll have the place largely to yourself.

qq kitchen prague

Overall, there is little for QQ Asian Kitchen to improve upon even after nearly five years of existence. The food and service remain spectacular and the new location compliments its other attributes perfectly.

This has quickly become a beloved Prague establishment for a reason. The chefs – Nyoman Purnata and Lee Chang – should be commended for the restless creativity that drives QQ Asian Kitchen while, at the same time, making this a place one will always return to.

Address: Odboru 278/4
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 12:00 – 22:00
Contact: +420 776 337 878

Shortly after entering the doors of El Gaucho the initial feeling one detects is that of confidence. The reasoning behind this is simple: El Gaucho knows how good their food is. Experience does that.

There are locations stretching from Southeast Asia into Europe, which helps to ensure how special this dining experience will be.

Prague has its fair share of Argentinian steakhouses, but, after El Gaucho opened its doors in June, none of them seem relevant. There is no better steakhouse found in the capital. El Gaucho is in a league of its own with two locations found here. One is mere minutes away from the Old Town Square and the second – opened very recently – is located in Dejvice.

The sheer breadth of the menu is slightly overwhelming at first, but the staff is there and will advise you if needed. Service is friendly, helpful and exceedingly professional.

The staff, at times, can seem invisible, but they appear exactly at the moment needed while also paying close attention not to interrupt your meal.

The level of quality found at El Gaucho is so high one could have an amazing meal just from the starters on offer. Beginning with the homemade Argentinian beef soup is an excellent choice as this is also the first opportunity to taste El Gaucho’s beef.

It is nothing short of exquisite. The salmon tartare was also amazing. Yet, it is without doubt that anything on the starters menu – from the beef empanada to the salchicha – is delicious. There are no wrong choices here.

El Gaucho’s emphasis is on American beef when it comes to their steaks. Both the rib eye and filet were flawless. The foie gras ordered with the steaks was halved it was so massive and truly exquisite. Add chimichurri and wild mushroom sauce – both homemade – and these are the best steaks in Prague. The Argentinian Malbec Salentein was the perfect wine to accompany this meal and is highly recommended.

Filet at El Gaucho

However, the wine list at El Gaucho deserves its own praise. The term “extensive” is an understatement. The wine list, much like the initial confrontation with the food menu, is again slightly overwhelming. But, as previously mentioned, the staff is there to advise if any questions arise. It’s clearly obvious that a superhuman feat of effort went into selecting each and every wine at this establishment.

El Gaucho markets itself primarily as a steakhouse, yet there are many other dishes on offer. Salads, pasta, lamb, pork, chicken and fish are available for main courses. Burgers are also on the menu with a vegan option available. One suggestion, and its feasibility is impossible to determine, involves the El Gaucho mix platter serving four people. This is an intriguing choice, but it would be nice if this was made available for two people.

el gaucho prague

If it seems like any serious criticisms are lacking that’s because there is nothing to criticize. El Gaucho is the best restaurant to open in Prague this year. The food was sheer perfection from start to finish. El Gaucho came for the throne and seized it. It’s highly doubtful this seat will be relinquished anytime soon.

Addresses: Dušní 905/4 and Dejvická 268/30
Locations: Old Town and Dejvice
Opening Hours: Old Town – 11am-10pm, Dejvice – 11am-10pm

*Times may change due to Covid restrictions

Contact: Old Town – +420 777 073 040, Dejvice – +420 725 422 302

There was a time in the not-too-distant past when brunch options in Prague were scarce. Things have since changed.

Brunch is now an institution with countless possibilities found throughout the capital. The wide range of choices now available could certainly lead to debates concerning the best brunch in the city and VENUE, located in a lovely part of Old Town, has earned a spot in this discussion.

VENUE began serving brunch in 2016. It is this establishment’s central focus served all day. The menu is both expansive and compact. A guest should never feel overwhelmed whilst trying to select a meal and VENUE succeeds by eliminating that dilemma. This is quite an achievement considering the numerous dishes on offer.

The service was friendly, effective, and attentive. The staff were there when needed, but also knew when to back off. Meals arrived quickly even though the restaurant was quite full.

The bacon french toast was an excellent choice. It wasn’t smothered in syrup or sugar to the extent where the bread was soggy which would detract from the taste. However, the bacon’s consistency differed slightly, but not to the point where this would elicit any sort of complaint. This was a minor mistake.

VENUE’s quinoa superfood bowl, featuring at minimum 10 ingredients, was an impressive feat and is highly recommended. Traditional Czech fare (Buchtičky se šodó) – translated to buns with vanilla cream – was a heavenly way to finish a meal and a definite highlight. Both vegan and vegetarian dishes are available. Ingredients are locally sourced and also seasonal. This means the menu undergoes slight changes about every three to four months.

venue prague

The drink menu deserves its own mention. The freshly squeezed juices were exquisite, but the strawberry lemonade is a delicacy worth returning for with or without an appetite. Finish off everything with a double espresso and you’ve successfully concluded a VENUE brunch.

Bottled Matuška is served coupled with a wide selection of Prosecco and wine. VENUE provides both take-out and delivery service.

Please be aware that weekends are busy with wait times that can approach an hour. The reasoning behind that is simple: VENUE simply doesn’t have enough space. This restaurant is tiny with roughly 20 seats available. When fully packed it would be crammed with personal space at a minimum.

However, the above observation has nothing to do with the food or service which were both exceptional. Prices are more than fair and the portions are large. This is an outstanding restaurant.

venue prague

VENUE’s sole focus, once more, is on brunch thus differentiating this eatery from other restaurants. Experience matters and their attention to detail is a clear indicator of that.

It is a worthy addition to the Prague food scene and definitely worth a visit from whatever corner of the city you may reside in.

Address: Havelská 525/4, Prague 1
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00-18:00
Contact: +420 224 282 326

venue prague morning

Lasagneria occupies a unique niche within the Prague food scene.

Ever since opening their doors in October 2018, the sole focus is lasagna, differentiating themselves from nearly all other Italian restaurants found in the city. This may sound simplistic, but their approach to this classic Italian dish is anything but that.

Lasagneria prepares at minimum 10 different types of lasagna every day. The food is homemade, including the sauces, and the majority of ingredients come from Italy.

The dishes are fresh and prepared constantly from morning to evening. The food, in short, is excellent. A single portion is more than enough to fill you up.

One minor complaint is the absence of smaller portions, which would enable the guest to mix and match different types of lasagna. That, however, is a minor qualm when dishes such as the spicy lasagna or the cheesy zucchini are highly recommended.

The classic bolognese is available, as well as more adventurous dishes such as green pesto, and amatriciana. Vegan and vegetarian options are available and the desserts are of the highest quality.

Lasagneria offers a small, but impressive, selection of Italian wines and excellent bottled beers from Pivovar Bison. Draft beer is unfortunately not available. The service is friendly, effective and fast.

Take-out, delivery, and catering are also available.

Gabriele and Fabrizia, Lasagneria’s founders

Located on Korunní street it was fairly quiet, but, to be clear, our visit was during mid-afternoon. Loud traffic and trams could be a problem if dining outside when Korunní is busy. There is plenty of indoor seating if that becomes an issue.

Smaller tables are set up on opposite sides of the restaurant interior, but the most charming part is a gigantic table suitable for a large party situated in the middle of the space that could accommodate 10 or more guests.

Lasagneria is ideal for something quick when time is an issue, but also suitable to relax and take your time. Overall this was an excellent dining experience.

The wide selection of lasagna, desserts, Italian wine and Czech beer are more than enough to entice a first-time visitor as well as a returning customer. Coupled with near-perfect service Lasagneria is a welcome addition to Prague’s food scene and should appear on any serious foodie’s radar.

This is a restaurant clearly defined by lasagna and it’s this singular focus regarding the menu that places Lasagneria in a category of its own.

Address: Korunní 957/35
Metro: Náměstí Míru or Jiřího z Poděbrad
Tram: Šumavská
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00-22:00, Saturday 12:00-22:00, Sunday 12:00-21:00
Contact: + 420 723 361 394

lasagneria prague

For many musicians, Prague was one city, among many other stops, over the course of a lengthy tour. That stopped in March 2020. Concerts ceased to exist and venues closed their doors for an indefinite length of time.

That, however incrementally, shows signs of change.

This is the second installment – focusing on indoor concerts – of a three-part series that examines COVID’s impact on live music in the Czech Republic. The opening segment on club culture can be found here

Prague Morning had a lengthy conversation with Michal Brenner, the director of music management for MeetFactory. This discussion covered a variety of topics including the suspension of live concerts, the complications faced by a live music venue throughout the pandemic, and the possible return of international acts to the capital city.

Describe MeetFactory’s significance to the live music scene in Prague?

For the past 11 years, we’ve brought emerging and upcoming artists to Prague to do their first or second shows in the Czech Republic. We never try to repeat ourselves.

When the pandemic began with entire tours cancelled on a regular basis what were your initial thoughts?

We saw it coming for a few weeks based on what was happening in Italy. We initially thought it would be a six month break and then things would return to normal.

When did the reality hit that live music was suspended indefinitely?

Pretty quickly. Somewhere around a month or so. And then having to reschedule shows for the fifth or sixth time became tiresome.

What were the biggest complications you faced?

Staying optimistic that things will turn out fine in the end was, and still is, one of the biggest challenges.

Small tours, mainly in the United States, have been announced. Do you feel international acts might be returning to Prague soon?

They will return, but not so soon perhaps. Tours take months to plan. A typical road tour has around 18 shows in 12 countries over a period of something close to 20 days. Predictable and stable conditions are needed. I suspect we’ll only see handful of international acts this year.

Finally, how do you envision the return of live music? What is it going to look like?

It will be slower and more gradual than people think. The government giving a green light is only the beginning of a long process. That is not the final step.

One central facet of the pandemic still dominating lives all over the planet is the collapse of numerous industries once taken for granted. Live music is no exception. From the first lockdown, all forms of live music completely vanished. Its return to a recognizable form is occurring only gradually.

This is the opening installment – focusing on club culture – of a three-part series that examines COVID’s impact on live music in the Czech Republic. The second part will focus on smaller, indoor concerts, while the final piece of this series will examine festivals.

Prague Morning recently caught up with local DJs/producers DJ Tuco (Radio 1’s The Work Out, Footclan, Meanbucket), Z-Kat (Masquerave) and Eva Porating (Ankali) to discuss, among other things, the possibility of a longstanding culture permanently altered, the prevalence of outdoor events, and what the clubgoer could possibly expect both now and in the near future.

Did you think electronic and/or club music could be permanently altered by a pandemic that forced people to stay home?

DJ Tuco: No, I don’t think so. People will forget about it [the pandemic] fairly quick.

Z-Kat: Not in the grand scheme of things unless the clubs remain closed for a very long time.

Eva Porating: Not totally altered, but somehow marked for sure.

Was there ever a point when COVID hit that made you wonder if club culture might be changed forever or would not function the same as it did during the pre-COVID era?

DJ Tuco: I think a lot of people were hoping for a big change with more focus on local talent allowing underground artists to break through. That didn’t happen.

Z-Kat: The thought crossed my mind. Certain aspects of club culture are definitely going to be different for a while.

Eva Porating: During the second lockdown playing gigs seemed pretty surreal to me. I was definitely wondering if we would ever return to a more traditional setting.

Are smaller outdoor events more prevalent now?

DJ Tuco: They definitely are in Prague, and that’s one of the great things about this city. It’s relatively easy to do stuff like that compared to the UK for example.

Z-Kat: At the moment, sure.

Eva Porating: Yes. But that will change very quickly.

In your opinion how do you think club culture will function in the immediate aftermath with the current COVID restrictions loosened? Second, how do you envision the club scene a year from now?

DJ Tuco: First, things will likely come down to COVID certificates, tests for DJs and the audience. The next part of the question is much harder to predict.

Z-Kat: In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic promoters might be more cautious and conservative with whom they book. Booking artists from abroad also poses more of a logistical challenge. A year from now the club scene will likely be local names without many headliners to write home about.

Eva Porating: I honestly wish we could all gain a greater sense of community. In a year’s time, I hope the scene will be more colorful musically, more open-minded, supportive and proactive in the things that matter.

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