Eat, drink and be merry in Prague

Beer is cheaper than water in Prague.

A meal starts with the "disclaimer soup" (okay, I made up that name). One of the recommended "typical soups", drstkova, is said to "taste better if you don't know what it is made of," the dining guide said. (I sense you're "Googling" now, which is good because it makes this story interactive. Since you're at it, find out what these other soups are: cesnecka, cesneckova polevka, zelnacka, kulajda.)

Pork and sausage take the limelight on the Czech plate. Menu boards all around the city will read "vepro-knedlo-zelo" or the "svickova" as the specials during the lunch hour rush. With the meat and sauerkraut served with creamy sauce and dumplings (aka "siopao" bun to you and me), and lots of it, the Bohemian population is happy and content, more so, after their dessert of studl (apple strudel), livanecky (small thick pancakes) or the medovnik (honey cake).

This is where my situation becomes difficult-I am in a no-meat diet. In the meat-loving country, vegetarians may have a problem. In most of the restaurants, there might be smazeny syr (fried cheese) or bramboraky (potato cakes), but both may be enhanced with meat as well. A specialty restaurant will be my best bet.

I'm lost. Not too much offering for non-meat eaters in this land.

Maitrea recommended a vegetarian restaurant next to the Old Town Square, which was a short walk from the Emblem Hotel where I stayed. It's quite a popular joint, maybe because it stands out as different in the sea of meat-serving diners.

Maitrea, a vegetarian restaurant, in Týnská ulička 6 next to the Old Town Square

The vegetarian restaurant is on the ground floor and basement of the building of the House of Personal Development MAITREA in Maitreain Týnská ulicka 6 in the old town of Prague. The place exudes a very yogic vibe-the interior is dominated by calming natural tones of wood and beige, understated hue of Sanskrit symbols strategically printed on the beams, modern lighting fixtures, the overall design has fluid lines.

Cozy & warm interior of Maitrea.

Sanskrit symbols discreetly printed on beams emit a yogic vibe

Form the menu, which included the vegetarian version of the Czech meat specialty combos, I picked the baked vegetable lasagna. I forgot that this dish is usually baked in a huge pan, portions cut from it and served in portions. Let's just say, I didn't enjoy the reheated dish that came from a frozen whole. I got my non-meat fare, if that's any consolation at all.

The Pasta section of the non-vegetraian menu. THey also offer the vegetarian version of the Czech specialty dishes.

My non-meat meal of Vegetarian Baked Lasagna, which I will not miss.

The adventurous side of me just had to stray from my diet and try the Czech specialty, and I did. A Filipina married to a local and runs a Filipino store pointed me to a pub that serves the "true blue svickova"-meat served with creamy sauce and buns.

Chanced upon this Pinoy store in the Mala Strana. The charming owners, a Filipina & her Czech husband gave me dining tips.

I was directed further down the road to a restaurant by the tram stop for an authentic Czech meal.

The interior of the "restaurant by the tram stop" . Sorry I didn't get the name.

Just like a local, I had a local brew with my meal, which was a good chaser for the few bites I had. I don't think I'm going to miss the svickova.

Breaking my no-meat diet to “immerse in the local culture”, I tried the svickova—meat served with creamy sauce and buns. I can say “been there, done that” and “will not miss it”.

There's one more item that I did try out of curiosity. Almost around town, I saw people holding a cylindrical cake dusted with sugar. It's called the trdelnik and passed off as "an old Czech specialty", which the locals didn't know until a few years ago.

The cukrarna’s lures in tourists (maybe local as well) with its sweet aroma.

I got myself one of the trdelniks, passed off as “an old Czech specialty”, which the locals didn’t know until a few years ago.

The alluring scent led me to a cukrarna (sweet shop) and got myself one. I took one bite and let's just say I'm not going to miss it either.

Oh, I got to try a sausage from a food stall in Wenceslas Square. It had a long line, which made me curious. I got myself one and took one bite to sample it.

The weekend pop-up stores at the Wencelas Square.

People were lining up for this. I had to try it & tried I did.

I will confess to not being a foodie, my palate not of a connoisseur, and diet restricting. My short visit to Prague involved more sightseeing than food tripping. I broke my diet to try what's the local specialty, my way of taking a dip into the Bohemian culture.

Seen at the Mala Strana: how coffee should be.

Seen at the Old Town: chocolate as an aphrodisiac?