Address: Zámočnícka 11
Tel.: 334-957
Hours:Daily 11:00-23:00
Cuisine:Hungarian and Slovak
Prices:Sk
Reservations:Recommended
English menu: Yes (also German)
Credit Cards: No
Recommended: Highly
Tucked away at the bend of Zámočnícka ulica, near Michael's gate, Prašná Bašta is a wonderful place for an inexpensive meal. In summer, you can sit outside in what was once the moat surrounding the old city walls. Winter offers a charm all its own, as a vaulted ceiling, dim lighting, and tables nestled in various nooks give a sense of coziness.
For such a small restaurant, seating only 50, Prašná Bašta has a menu with a couple of unusual and interesting appetizers. We tried the Arménsky šalát (25 Sk), which was a delicious combination of finely grated fresh carrot and garlic. They also offer smoked trout (63 Sk).
While the entrées are mostly typical Slovak items, ranging from biftek s vajcom (steak and egg - 155 Sk) to vyprážany syr (fried cheese - 39 Sk), we were enticed by the kuracie soté na indicky spôsob (chicken sauté in Indian style - 78 Sk) and kuracie prsia s roquefortom (chicken breast with roquefort - 79 Sk). The sauté was perfectly spiced and served with the freshest garnish. The chicken breast was a bit small, but was delightfully flavored by roquefort cheese stuffing and topped by a piece of mild cheese that gave it the most wonderful flavor. We both sampled the zemiaková placka (potato pancake - 10 Sk) and were pleased.
There are also two wonderful salads offered, a green bean with yogurt (14 Sk), which was wonderful and reminded me of Turkish cuisine, and a good, fresh mixed vegetable salad (25 Sk).
I tried a palacinky (30 Sk), and though it seemed to have been reheated in the microwave (to the point of being too hot), it was smothered in cream and chocolate and was still good, but not as good as it could have been if prepared fresh.
The service at Prašná Bašta was superb. Our waitress spoke excellent English and was very helpful with suggestions for our dinners. Including a couple of beers, the meal came to 160 Sk each.
Paul Zendzian and Madeline Vadkerty are the authors of Bon Appetit, Dobrú Chuť, Bratislava!, which is available at select bookstores and news stands.
Author: Paul Zendzian, Madeline Vadkerty
