Hotel Pod Zámkem

The wait for our food was long, and the dishes we saw at nearby tables weren't reassuring either. One table had fries swapped for salad, and the waiter wouldn't change them, saying the chef had too much to do. The tuna was awful, the duck was undercooked and not very tasty, and nobody asked whether everything was all right when it was left unfinished. Another table got a dried-out rabbit and a chicken slice spoiled by its bake or dip. We came for lunch as four families during a trip. The restaurant was about three-quarters full, with enough room for us on the terrace. There was a decent range of food, including options for children. The service seemed like seasonal staff, but they were willing to make extra dishes on request, such as fried cheese with fries. All three meals my family ordered were disappointing. The schnitzel came with potato salad instead of fries and ketchup, and the chicken was completely tasteless. The fries came with tartare instead of ketchup. The Caesar salad had one piece of meat, and it was partly raw. I pointed out the mistakes right away, but at payment they still tried to charge us for the full order, including items like ketchup that hadn't been provided. The waiter apologized, saying the chef had too much to do. That excuse wasn't good enough. With the long wait and these problems, I'd avoid the place next time. It seems like either the organization is at fault or the chef shouldn't be in the kitchen.

Please get a chef in that kitchen. The tenderloin was dried out, the American potatoes seemed like they were from yesterday, maybe even last week, and the old beans had just been replaced with fresh ones. You could see by the color. Everything was disgusting and brutally oversalted. The chicken medallions with cheese sauce were just as bad. The chicken was rubbery, impossible to bite, and the sauce was overcooked cheddar that turned into a sticky lump after a while. Maybe there's a bricklayer or plumber working in the kitchen.

There were only 8 dishes to choose from, and the overall experience was poor. The food wait was fine, though. The Caesar salad came with horseradish dip, which I wasn't expecting, and the bought-in croutons were a big letdown. I ordered a chop with a fried egg and American potatoes. They didn't have the potatoes and offered fries instead, which was understandable. The chop and fries were good. But the egg was a disaster, and shouldn't have been served in that state. The guests were pretty undemanding and didn't make a fuss, but I'd still expect fresh croutons rather than ones from a bag. I wouldn't recommend it.

It's a great base for exploring the area, with the hotel room just a few steps away. You can watch the sunset from the terrace or from inside the restaurant through its big windows. The staff are very friendly, and the food is delicious. The menu has more options than it shows, so ask if you don't see what you want.