U Korvína- Real Italian food at Slovak prices: there's even parmesan on the table. There are three options for seating: skip the dull front room with the bar and blaring T.V. and head instead for the intimate courtyard patio out back or for dank, brick-walled wine cellar (which has heated benches in the winter). Some of the pasta must be homemade - try any of the spinach tortellini variations, all around 100 Sk - and all of it is good. The thin-crust pizzas can be disappointing and small. If you get a table, linger over an Italian espresso. $$. CC: no. Eng. menu: no. Res: yes. Banská bystrica 18. % 5334-000.
U Mamičky- Balkan food cooked to order on a charcoal grill. Great steaks and šopsky (Mediterranean with sheep cheese) salad. Excellent English-speaking service. Pricey by Slovak standards, but worth every crown. A bottle of wine from the archives for 600+ Sk. $$$. CC: yes. Eng. menu: no. Res: yes. Michalská 9. % 334-618. < 11:30-23:00.
Umag- Good, wide, thin-crust pizzas with a Croatian coastal flair. The calzone comes with anchovies and an egg. Service is polite, attentive, and swift. A highlight is that the downstairs has separate smoking and non-smoking rooms. Located between the Ministries of Finance and Transportation, Umag gets its share of government lunch-goers. We recommend the Pizza Bratislava with corn (it's better than you'd think), mushrooms, and klobasa. $$. Eng. menu: no. Res: no. Žilinská ul. < 11:00-22:30.
Twisteak House- If, when you here "meat and potatoes" you don't conjure up images of pork and halušky, this relatively recently opened restaurant will be a welcome oasis. For a juicy side of beef complimented by a baked spud and a hearty helping of veggies, venture down by the Danube, below the Parliament building. This past spring, the successful fish restaurant Rybarský Cech joined forces with Radio Twist to open a spiffy steak restaurant. Prices are higher than average but not exorbitant, with most entrees hovering around 175 Sk. Don't let the less than eager wait staff discourage you, Twisteak is definitely worth a try. $$$. Eng menu: yes. Res: no. Žižkova 1. % 5313-049, 5311-873. < 11:00-23:00.
Tirolská Izba- One of the city's best finds. Start with the fabulously creamy mushroom soup and then go with he Turkey shishkabob with pineapples and peaches. If you have a large grop or are in a hurry, be sure to make a reservation. $$. Eng. menu: no. Res: yes. Záhradnícka 73. % 526-5903.
