Kids in Prague

Family Brunch at the Intercontinental Hotel, Prague 1

Restaurants and Cafes, Family Brunches on 01 July 2009 by Karen

Restaurant Zlata (meaning Golden) Praha, located on the top floor of this hotel, hosts a brunch every Sunday from 11.00 to 15.00pm. Families with kids are very welcome.

The playroom is massive with lots of toys and entertainment as well as 1-2 baby-sitters on site. The view from the large-paned windows is spectacular with uninterrupted views of the Vltava, the metronome, and Prague Castle to the west. A small buffet offering a few basics like kids’ hamburgers, sausages, sandwiches, fruit and beverages is always present for those kids who just have no time for eating with the grown-ups.

There is an Intercontinental Hotel Kids’ lunch/dinner menu available (with classics like noodle soup, sandwiches, nuggets and chips) – but the staff do not promote this option during Sunday Brunch. Also, you have to pay extra for this. The best is just to choose something from the adults’ food options, that the kids might eat.

 

Adults are seated at the opposite end of the floor, with similarly magnificent views, this time of Prague’s famous golden towers and spirals in Old Town. When hosting or entertaining foreign visitors, this is a great place to bring them.

Since 2009, the Sunday Brunch concept at the Intercontinental has changed a little bit. Only a smaller quantity of entrees and desserts are offered in the traditional buffet-style, and in addition to this, each table is given a menu from which even more entrees as well as all mains and extras can be ordered on demand (unlimited and updated each week). Having been regulars to the traditional full buffet brunch of the past, we were a bit skeptical about the change, and even felt a bit ‘cheated’ about not seeing as much food around us, but now we are fully ‘converted’ and enjoy the better quality and freshness of the food which we can order.

During our last visit, after having the customary ‘welcome drink’, which was orange or cucumber (very refreshing) juice, we chose some entrees from a selection consisting of fresh sushi (maki, vege, prawn, tuna), small pre-made entrée-sized salads of prawn/avocado, tuna/sesame and 2 choices of soup (vegetable and beef consommé). There were also fresh oysters, grilled veges, a small carvery, a make-it-yourself fresh salad bar and live cooking station making pasta a stir-fry dishes. My husband had a vegetable stir-fry and the boys both ate pasta (penne).

For the mains, there was a special brunch menu (also available in English), with one side consisting of an alcoholic drinks price-list and the other of the choice of mains. On offer was a choice of 3 types of Organic Egg Dishes, 5 types of classical Mains, 2 Vegetarian Options and then 6 types of Side dishes/Sauces. This was all included in the total buffet price and one was allowed to choose as few or as many of the dishes listed on the menu, as one wanted. I ordered the Risotto of Hokkaido Pumpkin with Parmesan (Vegetarian Option) and Baked Pork Brisket with White Cabbage Confit and Potato Dumplings (classical Main Option). It was very tasty. The portions weren’t too big (which I like) and the food seemed to be a lot fresher and juicier compared to the self-served, often dried-up (after left standing for too long), metal tray buffet variety.

 

The deserts were standard (cakes, soufflés, puddings etc) but delicious, topped off with fresh crepes, fruit, ice cream, lollies and a chocolate fountain. An industrial-size, WMF coffee making machine, produced some very professional looking espressos and cappucchinos to enjoy with one’s dessert.

The cost per adult was 990CZK, kids from 6-12 were charged at 50% of the adult price and those from 0-5 ate for free. Included in the price, was an unlimited flow of 3 types of fruit juices as well as mineral water. For an additional fee of 490 CZK per person, there was a Free flow of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne and for 350 CZK per person you could get a Free flow of House Wine and Bohemia Sect.

In the summer, the roof terrace also gets opened for Sunday Brunch and there is always live entertainment. Either a piano player, or a jazz or lounge band. The atmosphere is very pleasant. A great way to pass away a Sunday afternoon.