Alcron retains crown as top Czech restaurant

It is certainly the season for foodies. You can't turn anywhere without seeing or hearing about recipes or dishes. Not to be left out, food critic Pavel Maurer announced the top 10 restaurants in the Czech Republic.

The announcement of the 21st annual Maurer's Grand Restaurant selection came during an evening at the Ball Game Hall (Míčovna) of Prague Castle. Maurer is known for his annual Grand Restaurant guide as well as the Prague Food Festival and Grand Restaurant Festival. He pointed out that four of the top restaurants were from outside of Prague, showing that the regions are catching up with the big city.

The regional eateries were led by Restaurace Piano Nobile in Chateau Mcely in the Central Bohemia region, which came in fourth place. Food was rated 1.2 out of five, with the interior getting 1.1 and service 1.5. It serves Czech, international and regional cuisine.

The next out of town venue was Pavillon in Brno, scoring 1.2 in all three categories and coming in sixth place. It has modern Czech, French, Continental, international, regional and game food. The eatery is located in a reconstructed functionalist building in a city park, and focuses on local products and tasting menus.

Close on its heels was Promenáda in Karlovy Vary in seventh place. It scored 1.1 for food and 1.2 for service, but lost points on its interior, which was rated 1.7. Maurer recalled that actor Robert De Niro ate there when he was at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2008. De Niro is known as a gourmand as well as an actor, and he has also invested in Tribeca Grill and other restaurants.

The final regional restaurant in the list is Goldie in Nautilus hotel in Tábor. It scored 1.2 for food, 1.3 for service and 1.6 for interior. Head chef Martin Svatek aside from also writing about food is part of the national team of the Association of Chefs and Confectioners. He is noted for his grilled mushrooms served on moss and similar creative dishes.

The best restaurant in Prague is Alcron, at the Radisson Blu Alcron hotel. The number one restaurant for the second year in a row serves sea food, fish and international cuisine. It scored 1.1 for food, 1.2 for service and 1.4 for the interior. Alcon also has a Michelin star. Chef Roman Paulus says that the restaurant has to continue to improve in order to remain on top.

Second and third place also went to Prague venues: Terasa U Zlaté studně, which serves Czech and international food, and Bellevue, which serves international food. CODA Restaurant at the Aria hotel came in fifth. Its menu included organic, vegetarian, vegan, Czech and international food.

The eight and ninth spots also went to Czech venues. La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise serves modern Czech food and was the most expensive restaurant on the list. Zlatá Praha at the InterContinental hotel serves Czech and international cuisine. It has a good view and is noted for its lobster and Sunday brunch.

Some 936 restaurants were ranked this year, with scores for food weighted more heavily than service and interior. People can register online to participate at www.grandrestaurant.cz.

Winners of the 11th Maurer's Grand Restaurant selection
1. Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel Alcron (Prague)
2. Terasa U Zlaté studně (Prague)
3. Bellevue (Prague)
4. Chateau Mcely, Piano Nobile (Mcely)
5. Aria Hotel, CODA Restaurant (Prague)
6. Pavillon (Brno)
7. Promenáda (Karovy Vary)
8. La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise (Prague)
9. InterContinental hotel, Zlatá Praha (Prague)
10. Nautilus hotel, Goldie (Tábor)