New contributor Simon Ogilvie-Harris reviews La Finestra in Prague and is pleasantly surprised to find that it is as popular with locals as it is with tourists
La Finestra has a reputation as one of the top eateries in Prague. It is located just behind an old town square on Platnéřská Street and has a menu that is focused on Italian meat and seafood dishes.
The interior of the restaurant is unassuming and is rather like a New York loft in terms of the way it has been styled. The lighting level is just right and the resulting atmosphere is both pleasant and relaxed. Though situated in an area frequented by tourists, La Finestra is also popular with locals and on our visit my companion and I found it surprisingly buzzy.
We started with dishes recommended by the waiter: Grilled scallops with Jerusalem artichoke purée and beetroot carpaccio with sugar nuts and goat cheese mousse. Both dishes arrived perfectly executed and we found the scallops we tried so fresh that we felt as if we were dining on the coast rather than in the middle of the mainland. Equally, the combination of the raw beetroot and the light and frothy goat cheese mousse was extremely tasty and something we’d both highly recommend.
La Finestra’s menu features a large selection of fish and meats from across the globe. They have steaks from Argentina, Italy and the USA and fish from Denmark and the Mediterranean. Though these tempted us, we opted for the dishes that our waiter recommended as their best sellers: Grilled octopus and guinea fowl breast with foie gras.
Though the grilled octopus was perfectly pleasant, it was somewhat lacking in flavour. I found it disappointing given it had been described as “one of La Finestra’s top dishes” by our waiter. We were both much more impressed by the fusion of tastes and textures offered by the guinea fowl and foie gras combination and would suggest diners definitely opt for this as a choice.
We finished with a dark chocolate fondant with a white chocolate ganache and a mango sorbet. The taste was truly divine and represented a great way to end a delightful dinner.
La Finestra is certainly pricey compared to other restaurants in the locality but, if you compare it to a similar restaurant in London or New York, it really is not that expensive. With charming waiters and excellent service, this is undoubtedly the restaurant I would recommend to anyone visiting Prague.
La Finestra, Platnéřská 90/13, 110 00 Prague, Czech Republic. Telephone: +420 222 325 325.
Simon Ogilvie-Harris is the founder of the jewellery brand Chavín. He visited La Finestra with interior decorator and restaurant designer Karina Fisun.
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Thanks for this. I am glad you shared this as I am due to go on a trip to Prague in October. I have duly noted down the name as I will be there for five days and am already considering dining options.
A new restaurant reviewer. Great. Can he come and review places in the Bahamas please?
What wines are on offer? I am very particular about what I drink.
A well written and fair review. Where are you sending Simon next? I like to know about new restaurants – even if they are in Prague (never been there, probably never will). Somewhere in the UK next please. Thanks.
I agree with Susan about this being put together nicely. The Steeple Times at least ensures honesty in their reviews unlike most food blogs and blogs in general I follow. So many blogs sell out to the highest bidder and take the shilling of the corporations and mediocrity results. I really find it shocking how many reviewers just say “love this”, “love that”, and “love the other”. It is so boring and I commend Simon Ogilvie-Harris for pointing out pitfalls as much as he writes good things about this restaurant. I’ve never been to Prague either……………. Maybe it is time for me to go. If so, Simon, if you read this, please tell me some other places you suggest I try and stay………. Bars, restaurants, hotels. Thanks.
A superb analysis. I visited this restaurant too and I actually hated the octopus mentioned. It didn’t just “lack in flavour”, it was BLAND and BORING. Everything else, though, was really good. I’d suggest they consider changing the menu and getting rid of this dish. I would return but I will never eat this dish.
Maybe my best restaurant experience ever was at this restaurant. The food and and ambience were great, and the waiter kept bringing us freebies – dishes and drinks. Wonderful experience.
What an odd review. Why Prague of all places? Why no mention of the wines or Czech beer they might have drunk. And apart from the ‘pricey’ comment in the final paragraph, why no actual prices given in the review? A review that is, as with the octopus he mentions, “somewhat lacking”.
I wish I could afford to go. I am a pensioner but if I save up maybe I can get to Prague. I would like to try this restaurant but as Glenmore points out what are the prices? Please advise me Simon so I can save.