Fortel Smíchov Restaurant Review in Prague, Czechia
Location
Fortel Smíchov is located in Prague 5 next to the large Vltava River. The large lit-up Fortel sign captures your eye contrasting against the traditional Romanesque Prague building. Fortel is open daily starting at 11:00 AM for lunch and dinner.
Type of Restaurant
Fortel Smíchov is a new restaurant in Prague serving up inventive food with a one-of-a-kind restaurant design. We had the pleasure of dining with Marek, owner of Fortel. He was very informative and a pleasure to spend the evening with. The restaurant has a fun sports bar feel with an industrial twist. The space was once a cinema, then turned into a casino, and now a one-of-a-kind restaurant. Fortel partners with the local well-known brewery Staropramen and features over eight of their beers.
Aesthetics
The restaurant has a variety of show-stopping areas with six different layers of elevated seating. A bright circular light captures your eye and invites you into the space. The top-level offers seating for groups of two with a diner feel. This was my favorite area with dark emerald green subway tile, Asian print tile, retro black and white tables, and elk sconces for lighting. Industrial design is seen throughout the space and ties a variety of design ideas together. The tally mark light rods reference a beer counting trick you find in a pub. The booth seats pay oath to the old cinema style. David Strauss, a local artist, has three paintings throughout the space that speaks to one another.
The Menu
Fortel’s menu is a game-changer to the traditional Prague food scene of beef goulash and Svíčková (braised beef) with dumplings. You will not find those food traditions here. Instead, you will find one-of-a-kind fusion dishes. Fortel offers entrees and tapas (small plates). Tapas is a great way to try a little bit of everything. You will find a little bit of everything on the menu like prawns in yellow curry or tuna tartar. I love that the Fortel team was not afraid to stray away from the traditional Czech cuisine!
What I Ordered
What I Ordered
Lunatico Primitivo – 445Kč/bottle
The fruity Lunatico Primitivo was the perfect pick for the evening and paired well with each and every tapas dish. From Puglia, Italy, this Primitivo reminds me of a small winery located in my hometown – Palisade, Colorado!
Plato Tapas – 295Kč/Three Tapas
Curry Prawns
The curry prawns were one of my favorite bites. The prawns were exquisite in the warmly spiced curry sauce. I was sad to find only two small prawns, I think they could either be a bit larger or add a few more to complete the dish. The white rice was cooked to perfection and paired well with the flavorful yellow curry sauce.
Calamari
The roasted calamari was perfectly cooked and tender. The warm garlic sauce hugged your tongue and added a depth of flavor.
Pork Flank
The pork flank in hoisin sauce was my favorite bite of the night. The classic Czechia pork meat was fused with Asian hoisin sauce. The meat melted in your mouth with each and every bite.
Duck Proscuitto
Duck proscuitto was a stellar pick. The salty and rich duck was thinly sliced and paired well with the small salad and orange supremes.
Smoked Sausage
The smoked sausage was flavorful and juicy. Two types of sauces added a hint of spice and creaminess, while the tender pickled vegetables cut through the richness with a punch of acidity.
Braised Beef Special
The special for the week was the popular braised beef tapas. The braised beef was tender and everything our waitress said it would be. Warm spices danced in my mouth and paired well with the rye bread. Garnished on top of the flavorful beef were pickled onions adding acidity and a pop of color.
Weekly Dessert Special – 125Kč
Something sweet to finish off this amazing night included a chestnut mousse cake with berry sauce and crushed gram cracker topping. The cold mousse had an airy interior and crunchy chestnuts incorporated throughout. The berry sauce was tart and a great accompaniment to the decadent mouse cake. It reminded me of a modern spin on peanut butter and jelly – absolutely delicious!
Rating
This was an evening to remember. The food, the drinks, the company were all amazing. Thank you Marek for the wonderful experience!
The Mozart Prague Hotel
