Vytopna Railway Restaurant

Vytopna Railway Restaurant

Prague, Czech Republic

Last weekend, I finally joined Amy (and Mo, Lucy, and Matthew) for a trip to "the train bar."  I had heard all about the model trains delivering your drinks but I imagined something akin to a sushi restaurant with a conveyor belt of food. Instead, I walked into a gigantic model train world.  There are tunnels, bridges, girders, and even a castle!  It is not a train on a continuous loop, but rather many individual trains which come straight to your table then back to the depot.  They even pick up empties!

Vytopna Stats 

Type of Restaurant: Train Restaurant

Cost: Affordable 

Service Type: Order from a server, drinks delivered by train; food delivered by server

Dining Area: Very large, rarely full

Location: Vaclavske Nam. 56, Prague 1

Nearby Tram Stops: Vaclavske Namesti, Muzeum

Nearby Metro: Muzeum, Mustek

Are the drinks here yet?

Here comes our first delivery!

Beer!

For being in the center of town and having such a high entertainment factor, Vytopna is actually very reasonably priced.

These photos do not give you the full effect.  So, video!

Don't worry, this sign doesn't make any more sense in Czech than it does in English.

There is even a children's play area, as though the whole place weren't play area enough!

Very poor lighting, but indeed a castle!

Our Trip to Olomouc

My first trip to Olomouc, Czech Republic was this winter with a visiting friend. We had such a great time and could not stop talking about it! When some friends wanted to go this spring, I was more than happy to join along. We made the trip in early May and the weather was perfect for us, sunshine the entire trip! Here are a few of the photos I took along the way!

Olomouc is a city in the eastern region of the Czech Republic and is located in Moravia. It dates back to the at leas the 10th century. It is the historical capital of Moravia. During the 30 years war, Olomouc was occupied by the Swedish, who left the city in ruins. Therefore, the capital of Moravia was moved to Brno, where it remains today. Olomouc is a city of about 100,000 people. It is a university city,  home to Palacký University which was founded in 1573, and its students makeup a quarter of the cities population.

The train was very full, we had to sit in the hallway the entire three hour ride there. Matthew tried to be productive and study Czech. Though, the study conditions were less than ideal.

Olomouc has six famous baroque fountains: five depicting roman gods and one depicting Julius Caesar (the founder of the city according to legend). Additionally, there is one contemporary fountain that stands in the main square. 

In the main square stands the famous astronomical clock, which dates back to 1420. The clock has been worked on throughout its history. During the Second World War, it was almost completely destroyed as retreating Nazi soldiers fired shots at the structure. The only remaining pieces of the original structure can be seen at a local museum. It was re-done in the socialist-realist style and depicts members of the proletariat on its facade (workers, farmers, athletes, and scientists). The clock strikes every day at noon and leaves a lot to be desired (video). 

We spent Saturday afternoon walking through the park, Smetanovy sady. It was such a lovely day and a really nice park. We saw two black swans and a man feeding them from his mouth! Also, these new parents and their ducklings were too cute.

Since Olomouc is a student town, there is a very vibrant nightlife. We managed to find a few fun bars to check out. The first was Klub Vertigo, we spent the evening enjoying blueberry beer and playing cards. Its name and decor are all centered around Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo. The second was Bar Letka, whose seedy clientele are forgiven by the fact that you are in an airplane. The bar is inside of an old Soviet airplane, which was brought to Olomouc as a high end restaurant for the leaders of the communist party in the area. Needless to say, it is one of the strangest places I have encountered in my travels. 

This is a view of the bar from the outside. It is strange to stumble upon an airplane on the side of the road and adds a lot of character to the city. 

On our last last morning in Olomouc, we visited the Archdiocese museum, the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic, which neighbors Saint Wenceslas Cathedral, pictured above. It is a lovely neo-gothic cathedral from 1131. 

Afternoon Coffee at Cafe 87

Overall, the trip to Olomouc was a huge success. I highly recommend a trip to this city if you are in the Czech Republic. Despite its small size, it is full of fun and lively places. If you are in the area during the winter, the Christmas Market is a must see. 

<3 Amy

Hooray For The Internet!

I have one more week before my dissertation is due and thought I would take a pause from the hard work to share some lovely things I have found on the internet this week. The weather here in Prague is making it impossible to get any work done anyways - too hot! 

These dresses <3
via Fancy Fine

This little man sniffing for morsels is too cute!
via Freckled Nest

I could really use a nice tweed suit, so amazing.
via They Roared Vintage on tumblr

Red barn doors, love these!
via Keltainen Talo Rannalla

Love sinks with legs.
via HGTV

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcakes - these are a must try!
via Culinary Tuesdays

Before and after of a bar made of reclaimed wood!
via Design Sponge 

Hair, shoes, and outfit are divine.
via The Vintage Valley

Porcelain and rope hanging planters. Lovely!
via Etsy

Hope you enjoyed!

<3 Amy

Turbinado Sugar Lemon Squares

Recipe for Turbinado Sugar Lemon Squares

Preface: We have been watching a lot of Queer As Folk.  The Liberty Diner, where the gang is wont to while away the pre-clubbing, evening hours, is famous for its lemon squares which Deb offers up as a cure-all.  Every time these come across the screen, I find myself desperately craving them, washed down with the obligatory Jones Soda with its label strategically hidden.

This recipe is based on Lemon Bars on Smitten Kitchen.  I halved the recipe because there are only two of us to eat them.  They are very brown because we use mostly turbinado sugar in our household.

A quick note on cooking with a lemon: Lick it.  That's right.  Before you do anything with your lemon, cut it in half and lick it.  Some lemons are stronger than others, some are surprisingly bitter (which you would do well to just toss and grab another).  Adjust the measurements for juice based on how strong your lemon tastes.

A note on small batch pan size: Unless you have a very small baking sheet or pan (about 9x7.5 inches) you will have to make do by lining a larger pan with parchment paper and creating an extra wall.  You could also use heavy duty aluminum foil for this purpose, though I'm always afraid of it sticking to my food.

Turbinado Sugar Lemon Squares

For the Shortbread Crust:

1/2 cup butter (room temp.)

1/4 cup icing sugar

1 cup flour

Pinch of salt

For the Lemon Curd Layer:

3 eggs

zest of two lemon

3/4 cup turbinado sugar

1/3 cup juice (about the juice of one and a half lemons)

1/3 cup flour

Additional icing sugar for dusting

Make the shortbread crust as follows:

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and icing sugar on high until pale and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt.  Gradually add to butter mixture while mixing on low, until just combined.  The dough may be very crumbly.  Using hands, gather together into a ball.  Do not overwork or dough will become too soft.  

Place ball in the middle of prepared pan and squash down.  Press dough into corners and flatten with hands.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F (170 C).

Remove from refrigerator and bake 15-20 minutes, until just barely browned.  Remove but do not turn off oven.

While the crust bakes, prepare lemon curd layer.  In a large bowl, combine eggs, zest, and lemon juice.  Whisk with a fork.  Gradually add flour and whisk until no clumps remain.

Pour lemon curd over crust and bake 25-30 minutes.  Check to make sure that the curd layer has set and return to over for about 5 more minutes.  Let cool completely.  Cut into squares.

Before serving, dust with icing sugar.