Basically, because Alex isn't really the "course" type of kid, he just wanted his main. I don't even remember if he ordered dessert.
Bearing in mind, I am still suffering from some health issues caused by an allergic reaction somewhere, so really I'm am not in the mood to be addressed to, any less than one would in a decent and nice place like Mlynec.
We all had our appetizers, then Alex's main course followed right after we finished our first course, which is the same dish as Jason's and hubby's.
Our mains didn't arrive for more than 10 minutes. It was a bit disjointed , and hubby, when hungry can be quite vocal. I guess most of us are. I on the other hand, didn't want to spoil the meal and this nice treat, I couldn't be bothered. I am more concern about finding a physician right after lunch.
Hubby inquired about the late mains and our designated server explained the logic behind the order.
Since Alex didn't ask for appetizers, they didn't want him to wait longer without eating. Empathy, that's good. Initiative, another plus. It was all good intention you see? As a parent and a mother, of course I appreciate it and get where he is coming from. But the way it was explained was a teeny tiny bit on the irritated side.
It would have been nicer had he explained the order of courses as he deemed fit so we are aware and not left wondering. Then, we wouldn't have to ask for it. Or better yet, he could have asked whether Alex will mind if his main course arrives with the rest of our mains. Guests want to be taken care of but also in parallel, likes to be in charge.
Obviously, whatever appetizer we ordered, Alex had a taste of. That's how we are. We like to force feed them (just kidding). We like to open up our kids palate to different tastes, so really Alex was not starved. Frankly speaking, he was too busy taking selfies and photos of the bridge.
That minor incident aside, it was still a lunch we totally enjoyed. In the end we were all smiles. We're fed and we're happy with what we ate. Come bill time, I was more than willing to give a generous tip. I think it all boils down to cultural differences and hunger games.
Asians like us, no matter how exposed we are to different cultures, still appreciate warm and hospitable service like how it's done in our continent. We all have to compromise, I know. Be more flexible and understanding that sometimes, if not most of the time, "When in Rome, do what the Romans do".
Let's talk food, shall we?
It was an explosion of flavours like .... well, let's not go there. I nibbled and savoured every bit of this masterpiece. Thinking of it alone makes my mouth watery.
A little bit of the duck, a slither of the chanterelle, a good spread of the coulis on the concoction, a leaf or two, deliver them with gusto to your mouth and you will savour every chew. Honestly, the egg is an added twist, I wouldn't really say it's the main star, it's more like the honourable mention. By the way, this egg is similar to what we had in Bellevue, though Mlynec separated the yolk from the white. The cooking method however makes this dish safe for preggers to eat.
It must have tasted good since I wasn't able to even try it.
It was tasty. I had a bite of it but not so much, seeing it's a small piece and my boys love big portions if what is in front of them are yummy. I didn't want to get more dagger looks from Jason so I stopped trying to steal some of his food.
I didn't want to eat it. I just wanted to look at it and take a lot of selfies with it. If it looks tempting here, imagine how enticing it was when it was placed in front of me.
Any discomfort I was feeling because of my allergy, the pressure in my head that feels like it's about to pop, the irritation at the beginning, they all, melted away, dissolved into the abyss of the delectable creation I'm seeing. Obviously, the discomfort came back a few minutes after we left Mlynec but for now, let me walk you through this kind of production of a broadway performance.
Traditional Czech Duck Confit, Red Cabbage Foam, Potato Dumpling. To be brutally honest, I still am not fully sold with the idea of dumpling and sweet red cabbage type of slaw with a gorgeous meat like duck, but knowing Europeans, they'll retort with, "we don't need you to be sold with the idea of our traditional food, missy! You just have to get over yourself and understand that this is OUR dish". To which I will reply with huge apologies.
That being said, I can eat this dish, anytime, any day, anywhere. IF, only IF, it is prepared the way Mlynec Chef prepared it.
The less-flare dish I had in Karlovy Vary was nowhere near this one. I couldn't get passed a few spoonfuls of that plate. Mlynec's version? I wiped the plate clean! I find every component balance, not overpowering each other. Very complementary. Everything was well seasoned. It's like some jazz gig going on in my mouth when I ate it. It was perfection on a plate. Even hubby felt a jealous pang when he had a bite.
I long for the next time we visit Prague. I hope this dish will make a come back.
I noticed menus in both Bellevue and Mlynec change periodically, which is good. Season-based. Maybe I can make a special request for a price if this baby is not in the list.
Deconstructed Apple Crumble, Apple ice cream, Walnuts, Caramel, Raisins, Cinnamon. I tell you, it was the perfect ending. Of course I have to have my coffee as the only ending in any meal but you know what I mean. The coffee is a normal progression. This dessert? Luscious beyond words. Look at it! It screams gratification on a plate! Yes, another on of my foodgasm moment. Oh don't be a spoil sport, it's all PG13 talk. It's just one of those dishes that I can't seem to get the hang of a better word.
This ended our sensational lunch at Mlynec. It was like a movie, a whole basket of emotions that we went through in one seating. Definitely unforgettable.
Mlynec Restaurant
Mon - Sun:
12:00 - 15:00
17:30 - 23.00
Telephone: +420 277 000 777
Telephone: 800 165 963
Fax: +420 246 013 713
Email: [email protected]
www: www.zatisigroup.cz
[*I'll talk about my trip to the Emergency Unit in another post. Let's not ruin the foodie moment, shall we? And don't get any ideas, it has nothing to do with this to-die-for meal :) ]