Address: 599 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham
Ph: (09) 815 7086
Open: Sunday to Wednesday, 7.30am to 10pm; Thursday to Saturday, 7.30am to 11pm.
Website: praguebar.co.nz
Prague is the newest bar I've been into for ages, but it manages to feel like it's been there for a while.
Tiny doesn't begin to describe it. This bar/cafe would be crowded with 15 people in it, but despite this it seems to be doing things mostly right.
I say mostly because it is so new that it almost squeaks. It looks lovely and is reminiscent of those small little cafe/bars you find in Europe. Whether or not it works in the depths of Sandringham, only time will tell, but I hope it succeeds.
There are some drawbacks. The range of drinks is limited (no Irish whiskey the night I went in) and the most interesting beer is Little Creatures from Australia. The overall spirits selection is made smaller because of being dominated by the entire range of 42 Below vodkas, which is, I suppose, good news if you like vodka.
The wine list is good, with some cracking bottles listed, but the by-the-glass selection is limited and some of the top-end prices appear to have been plucked out of the air and then doubled. But these are the risks of a new bar. Once they work out what sells and what doesn't, I am sure the range will expand.
The food is intriguing, especially for such a small venue. The pork belly cubes, served with a strip of crackling, were excellent and I like the fact that Prague deals in small portions as opposed to full meals.
I was particularly impressed with the extraction system, which meant it was possible to sit at the bar without being choked by the smell of cooking _ a big tick in their favour.
The staff were pleasant and the toilets spotless, so there is little to complain about, really.
It's always hard to review a place so new, and I intend to review it again in a few months. This is a good start and an excellent place to build from.
Scores
Service: 3.5/5
Drink: 3.5/5
Food: 4/5
Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
