19/04/2024
ZEM, meaning earth in Czech, is an upscale, avant-garde restaurant combined with a twist of Japanese influences. Whilst part of the Hyatt ownership, under the brand of Andaz hotels, ZEM successfully does well to create its own image.
The golden brown interior exemplifies the very meaning of ZEM and all the dishes were clearly rich and very satisfying.
We started with the trout velouté and kimche squid which were the real selling point of our experience. Two meat dishes of rabbit Svičkova and pork knuckle ensued, which were presented almost as impressively as the first courses. Whilst the pork dish did not blow me away it was nicely balanced with a generous size portion of horseradish chlebíček. As for the Svičkova I was extremely impressed by the sauce. The dish was also a unique concept in the mindset of Czech cooking by having rabbit instead of beef. I particularly liked how the dumplings appeared inside the cutlet; a subtle addition to achieving uniqueness.
Service was personal and attentive without any measure of being forced or invasive. Compliments to the Slovak waiter who knew his way around the menu like the back of his hand.
I would like to return for a coffee or cocktail one day on passing. Overall I can certainly recommend coming here for fine dining or special occasion if degusting authentic Czech food is your cup of tea.
Two mains, starters and a dessert and round of classy drinks🍸came to 2,800 Czech crowns (circa 95 euros).
Don't forgot the option of ensconcing yourself at their bar to oversee chefs busying themselves at a repertoire of classic dishes.
