Goose to go: Enjoy St. Martin’s feast and wine from a Prague vineyard at home

Restaurants throughout Prague and the Czech Republic typically observe St. Martin’s Day on November 11 with a goose feast accompanied by the release of the new vintage of Czech wine. With anti-COVID measures shuttering dining rooms citywide, this year's celebrations will look a little different.

Salabka, a restaurant-winery complex set in a 4.5-hectare vineyard in Prague's Troja district, has served a decadent St. Martin's Day meal, paired with wine from its own vineyard, for years. Now the Michelin-Plate-awarded fine-dining restaurant is keeping tradition alive with home delivery of goose, wine, and all the trimmings.

“We didn't want to give up this special event,” said Salabka manager Gabriela Kunc Lacherová who added that the COVID pandemic has led to some creative culinary developments including the launch of an e-shop and Home Menu by Salabka, a ready made meal service.

Salabka's St. Martin's menu, available from November 6 to 15, comes with the debut of two new wines — a white Muller Thurgau and red Pinot Noir — sold for the first time on St. Martin’s Day, an occasion for feasting across Europe since medieval times.

The holiday commemorates the funeral of Saint Martin of Tours, historically marking the end of the year’s harvest. It's also a time for filling up on fatty foods for the coming winter: in the Czech Republic the weather proverb “Martin is coming on a white horse” (Martin přijíždí na bílém koni), means that snow should be expected soon after.

In keeping with tradition, Salabka's menu features hearty winter fare sourced from local ingredients and suppliers: foie gras crème brûlée, goose “kaldoun” consommé, a main course of baked goose, and traditional sides of cabbage, bread dumplings, potato pancakes, and orange-rosemary goose jus. For dessert, curd cake with plum jam.

Several menus can be ordered for delivery including half a goose with wine for 2 or a whole goose with wine 4. Orders can be delivered across Prague, and delivery can be arranged for customers outside of the Czech capital as well.

The wine tradition at Salabka's current location dates back to the 13th century. The modern history of the Salabka vineyard began in 1955 when new vines were planted. Tomáš Osička, a young winemaker, manages the local winery. The wines have received multiple awards, such as the AWC Vienna competition or Vinalies Internationales in Paris.

After the St. Martin’s Day event, the restaurant will launch its meal-delivery concept featuring comfort foods such as soups, ragouts, and paprikash, pastries, and desserts like homemade pralines and panna cotta, all at affordable prices and served in eco-friendly packaging.

“We want people to enjoy the flavors and textures of our chef's imaginative seasonal meals,” Ms. Lacherová said. “The dishes are delivered in sterilized glass jars so you don't have to eat them the same day but can plan your meals in advance. They can then be easily reheated and served."

Meals can be ordered via the restaurant's newly launched e-shop in addition to bread, Salabka wine, spirits from its own boutique distillery, and gift vouchers for holiday shopping.

While the COVID situation has pushed many restaurants to quickly adapt to the new reality, Ms. Lacherová said that being able to offer the Salabka experience to a wider audience is a good thing.

“That makes us all happy,” she said. “Salabka is a beautiful place it deserves to go on.”

Salabka

This article was written in cooperation with Salabka. Read more about our partner content policies here.