Final Days of 2017

What's been going on for the last 3 months of absence?

I've been focusing on fitness and gaming at home. I've made some updates about that part of my life in video format on my new YouTube channel. But here's some travel and food updates that I've been meaning to put into writing*.

Travel wise I'd been back and forth New York, DC, Vienna, Paris, etc - all for family visits and boyfriend's business travels. There hasn't been too much exciting food ventures or new cultural discoveries, hence the lack of posts.

I put together my top 3 memorable events:



*The 3-month period since I stopped writing feels like a gap in my memory. It's easier for me to visualize events after it's been put into writing and I treat the blog as my personal diary that I happen to share with others. I'd been skipping some events and posts here and there for some time now, but to completely stop felt like amnesia. And that upset me. After all, what am I but a collection of memories?

1. My Birthday

...has gotten lazier by the year.

Gone are the days of birth-week parties and pretend-celebration of my birthday a few times a year just to have an excuse to taste extra dessert at a Michelin rated restaurant.

To be fair, I had just arrived to Prague from New York after a long series of business related travels and the boyfriend was about to leave for a last minute trip to China. We just didn't have the energy nor the time to plan out something big, so a last minute dinner out with some friends at the best restaurant available had to suffice.

Bellevue

This is one of the nicest restaurants in town, with its name meaning 'beautiful view' due to its location across the river. It is unfortunately nearly impossible to see the river view past the big road even at its closest window, but the ambiance and the exceptional food is enough to make up for the lack of it. There are delicate crystal sculptures adorning every table and ceiling. The food here is Michelin star quality, with seasonal ingredients and flawless presentation. I highly recommend it for a special date night.

Their potato mousse amuse bouche

A meat jelly as second amuse bouche

Foie gras

Goat cheese with pear

A special low heat poached egg with broth

Quail done in 3 ways, breast leg and 'lollipop.' My favorite.

Veal dish

Sea bass with a creamy sauce to accompany.

Refreshing pre dessert sorbet

Cold chocolate rock candy ball with warm chocolate to melt

Lemon tart

Hazelnut choux dessert

Birthday ice cream

2. Dreamhack Winter 2017

I braved my way through the Swedish winter to reunite with some friends. E-sports and gaming is something I have love for, but not enough for me to pry me off of the computer screen and out of my warm apartment. It's seeing people in real life that'll do the trick, I suppose. Plus a healthy dose of cute matching outfits and parties.

I'm not a fan of tagging people, but there may be some familiar faces if you're into the gaming world.

Matchy

Bar O'Learys

3. New Year's Eve

Started 2018 with an amazing celebration at King's Casino in Rosvadov. It's only a 90 minute drive from Prague and their new hotel is a dream. I don't spend too much time at casinos so their elaborate art collection, including their permanent original Andy Warhol as well as a brand new spa that also has a poolside bar where I can sip champagne from.

The party was held partly in their new casino section as well as the entire floor that cleared out its 100+ poker table to make room for a stage and dinner tables. Two of the top Czech singers were present, as well as an amazing Freddy Mercury imitator. Unlimited Dom Perignon was served for the drink of choice.

The casino is home the Europe's biggest poker room and the new casino is nothing short of extraordinary. The 24/7 service is top notch - for example, they offer free buffet food at all times - and with debut of the new 5 star hotel attached to the casino, the visit is that much more convenient.

Ice sculpture

The entertainment, Karel Gott

Andy Warhol and I'm drunk

We wish you a Happy 2018!