When we think of cafe society--we automatically and romantically think of Paris. All those movies and all those books that mention Les Deux Magots, Le Fouquets, Cafe de Phares or Cafe de Flore. But--Dear Readers--they won't be able to keep you down on the midwestern farm after you have seen the cafes of Prague. The likes of Grand Cafe Orient, Cafe Savoy and Cafe Slavia have a personality that rivals Paris in spades.
We Americans think the coffee craze and coffee shop mentality began with us? Not so! Prague intelligentia and artists and writers have been frequenting cafes forever--and there are no faux IKEA look sofas and children's play areas.
The Grand Cafe Orient was a find for us on this recent trip to Bohemia--and we returned twice. This cafe has always been on the upper floor of a popular corner (the Black Madonna building)--but remained closed until the 1990s over some legal wrangling. It has reopened and is the only totally cubist decorated cafe in Prague. It is a cubist lovers dream--from the chairs, lights, coat hooks to door handles. As you recall-cubism is where forms are abstract and often geometric and angular. Think art deco on steroids. They serve light snacks and the ever present cakes (nothing recharges the tourist batteries like coffee and cake in the mid afternoon!)
On this particular sunny day--we took the lift to the second floor and really gasped at the fabulous decor. Dear Husbola promptly ordered his favourite Algerian coffee (espresso, egg liquer and whipped cream) and I ordered a more mundane cappachino. It is served in the traditional cafe style on a silver tray, with a small glass of water and a mini macaroon. Bliss! Best of all--this cafe did not appear to be on the normal tourist trail--and there were many tables of locals having business meetings and their light refreshment.
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