After adding salt and mixing in the top layer, which was made of a couple drops of a pistou based on basil, garlic and olive oil, the sensation was greatly improved reaching a decent caliber. Nor was the taste particularly distinctive, the chef had evidently used less pumpkin and more potatoes, on top of that it was hardly salted at all. The creamy pumpkin soup stood out with its surprisingly light yolky color making it look more like a hollandaise sauce. Served in a porcelain bowl, it retained its heat until the end.
Three slices of toasted baguette with cheese decorated the surface. The onion soup, for an exorbitant Kč 115, was a very decent variation of this famous French winter soup it contained small pieces of onion, there was just the right amount of fat and wine too with a strong odor of thyme that was not from stock cubes.
Those with money to spare or a charitable nature can buy the Metamorphoses 2011 calendar in the café, safe in the knowledge that part of the proceeds goes to the Archa Chantal foundation, which helps to repair and renovate children’s hospitals. Let’s see their true colors!Īpart from the usual café sandwiches (with Arabian hummus and tuna, Carpaccio from duck foie gras and so on), baguettes (with roast beef, tuna or turkey…), quiches (Provençal, Scandinavian), pancakes and salads, the menu also includes soups, pasta dishes (spaghetti) and house specialties, often under the name of the establishment’s patron, actress Chantal Poullain. We then warily ordered pumpkin soup from the daily offer and a classic French onion soup from the menu. We first ordered kir, where instead of the advertised 20 cl the waitress brought us a half measure, she then “corrected” her oversight with a huge goblet of utterly warm wine. We sit on the rear podium by the mock stained glass leading directly to the kitchen where they flambé and gratin unceasingly. In addition, modern wallpaper in fluorescent colors frames it all, in stark contrast to the bright red of the upholstery. It is a wonder that Edith Piaf isn’t singing with an accordion in the background. The furniture comprises red upholstered benches and tightly packed square tables, the bar supports two black columns with white caps and Viennese Art Nouveau lamps hang from the ceiling. The owners have created an interior that goes all the way to support the classical cliché of everything French in the visitor’s consciousness the walls have reproductions of period advertisements and Toulouse-Lautrec paintings.
In addition there are various jams and, curiously, even sardines from French brand Connétable on the menu. From outside, and on the web, it looks quite tempting and one’s enthusiasm does not diminish upon inspection of the display case with cakes and the morning’s pastries (packed with croissants, pains au chocolat, pinwheels and muffins). Similarly they serve Soomi’s Spring Roll with mango, avocado, sweet potato, pineapple, red onion tempura with asian pear in rice paper with wasabi vinaigrette. Their intimate lighting, big indoor waterfall and small private booths make it a great date spot.Sometimes it really doesn’t pay to be inquisitive, as in the case of the new French-style venue, Café Amandine. My favorite is the Diane’s Roll – tempuras of asparagus, sweet potato and zucchini, with mango wrapped in soy paper with sesame seeds. They have a big variety of traditional sushi, sashimi and low carb rolls with no rice. Kaya Sushi have a huge selection of vegetarian and non-seafood options such as vegetable rolls, tempuras, salads, Bi Bim Bap, teriyaki and sukiyaki (soups with veggies, tofu, noodles and meat). Go ahead and laugh at this one, because I don’t eat seafood. They’ve mastered the ambience of a special night out: intimate candle lighting, old jazz tunes, murals of Italy and twinkle lights…. My favorite is the homemade Portobello Mushroom Ravioli with porcini cream sauce it’s very rich so I save it for special occasions.
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