A French chef dishes on Czech food and the Prague dining scene

But with the addition of a number of culinary innovations including a proper afternoon tea service and the debut, last month, of a new menu in The Grill restaurant, the Corinthia is shaping up to become a dining destination.

The Grill Restaurant is helmed by a veteran of the Prague culinary scene Executive Chef Jean-Paul Georges Manzac who local gourmands will remember from the Bib-Gourmand-awarded Brasserie M which later became the combined French bistro and butchers shop, La Boucherie & Bistrot M.

“[The restaurant scene] was non-existent. You had your basic Italian-Czech. The [country’s culinary legacy] was similar to that of these beautiful buildings that had been destroyed by communism,” he recalls. “There were traces but it was largely destroyed.”

“I think the early courses there had a big impact on the scene, lots of young talent came out of it including Zdenek Pohlreich, Roman Paulus, and David Radek.”

“I like to leave Czech cooking to the Czechs themselves. But good goulash is like beef bourguignon. Or roasted duck is similar to duck confit — the techniques are the same and very good when done well.”

While the chef has witnessed a sea change in the way Czechs enjoy and prepare food, he believes the industry is still suffering from a shortage of skilled kitchen workers. He also finds the Prague scene lacking when it comes to “good French food.”

That desire to recreate the feel of a brasserie very much informs the new menu of The Grill.

“I envisioned a proper restaurant lunch, simple tasting dishes at reasonable prices, something similar to a brasserie, with international touches not limited to French.”

The menu relies on local suppliers to produce French classics like beef bourguignon, roasted rabbit leg, and duck in orange sauce.

Vegetarians will welcome skilfully roasted eggplant and zucchini dishes with creative sides including a zingy carrot mash. Recently a Prague Ham paired perfectly with lentils for a lighter twist on a heavy Czech favorite.