The name of Zdeňek Polreich is synonymous with exquisite cuisine and has already been mentioned in a previous article about the hotel and restaurant Metropol. Once again it crops up again in connection with another delectable gastronomic venue. A year has passed since the opening of the distinguished Imperial Hotel and its café in Poříčí. Many who were present at the opening reminisced fondly about the famous doughnuts battles that had been so eloquently described in Zdeněk Jirotka’s Saturnin. Indeed, part of the refurbishment entailed scrubbing decades old jam from the floors.
Due to the recent and complex refurbishment the building truly deserves our admiration. It was finished by extensive work by conservationists the extent of which was fully revealed after the re-opening of the hotel and famous café. It is now so successful that even younger generations have an opportunity to admire its elegant early twentieth century style. Art deco decoration and late secession ceramic mosaics in the cafe area have added to the impact of its unique charm. The building was constructed between 1913 and1914 by the project engineer Jaroslav Benedict for the important Prague hotel owner, Jan Kolář. The mosaic was designed by Professor Jan Beneš.
On arrival one can almost hear the rustling of ladies evening robes and subdued conversation of distinguished gentlemen. The atmosphere is reinforced by highly accomplished wall and ceiling frescos which match very tastefully with the new furniture. Indeed, what kind of a cafe lounge is this?
The famous doughnut battles have become history and don’t happen nowadays. However, given the lush elegant interiors this is probably a good idea and there is still plenty of room for other pleasant experiences. What better than to experience the realm of top class cuisine, as the Polreich’s kitchen is a statement in its own right. One can choose both meat and vegetarian dishes from a Czech cuisine; dishes are prepared with the highest attention to freshness and quality. Also there is an opportunity to talk to the head chef in the kitchen. At your request he will prepare the Head Chef Table right in the middle of the kitchen with a menu of five courses. There is plenty of room for desserts, too.
But let’s return to the design. The objective of the refurbishment was, according to Studio ALTÁN, s. r. o., and ARCHINA, s. r. o who designed the interiors, a full restoration of the building and operation of the Hotel Imperial in Prague making it is appealing to an upmarket clientele. It is comparable to contemporary luxury hotels, yet preserves the period atmosphere of the place as it had been intended in its original design.
In other words, you can feel as though you stepped back into the time of the First Republic, however, additional features such as a fitness centre, spa, internet and plasma television in the rooms add the comforts of the twenty first century.
The hotel and cafe design was nominated for the award of the building of the year 2008, as
A complex reconstruction of a historical building that was carried out with sensitivity for restoration of unique society interiors in the period style.
Although the project did not win the prize, it has been increasingly the talk of the town which is a significant award in itself.