Bohemian Spirit

Truly a magical place just steps away from home! We always walk by it and wanted to visit, and yesterday was our first time there celebrating my birthday. I'm a christmas baby born on Dec 24th so we weren't sure if they would serve us late on that day. I was in Prague just once in 2012 and loved their most famous and the oldest restaurant right on the central square. Since then I dreamt of trying Czech food again — confit duck with knedliki stole my heart. Just like in good old times but even better. Paired with dark beer — heaven! Steak tartar is top notch and close to be called best I ever tried. Deserts are great too. Aside from food, we were surprised how quick and attentive the servers were to us, despite it's Christmas eve! The atmosphere is hard to describe in photos — it's just so cozy and warm, making you feel right at home, not requiring you to look or act a certain way. I can highly recommend this place and sharing some photos and videos for everyone in doubt. Will be back soon!

What an unexpected gem! Very cozy, authentic place. The food was very good, service is on point. The restaurant is not crowded, good amount of space between the tables, so you can keep your conversation private. Highly recommend!

Had a lovely meal with my son. He had grilled kielbasa, I had the jaegerschnitzel. Both entrees were well prepared and presented. The schnitzel was perfectly prepared; the mushroom sauce was perhaps a little much in quantity for the size of the schnitzel. Nonetheless very tasty. The side salad was excellent.

Place it is fine ,,have Czech roots , but restaurant is not Czech people anymore, food overpriced, be careful with pay tab , after finishing your food , 20% automatic charge tip fee plus tax , if u r 6 persons at table , try to pay together for food , otherwise restaurant charge everybody 20% tip pls tax separate, so for 300$ food u ended up paying around 60$ tip plus tax minimum in New York new style..! There is not Czech cook there , only Spanish guy who prepares food there.. Not recommended this place for food for sure ..!

Their Goulash is out of this world! Well, see for yourself) Came here for brunch and loved it. Though I wish there were more Czech options from regular menu. Thank you!) 🤤

You'll love this restaurant for its peaceful atmosphere, making it easy to chat without competing with loud music. And the portions are huuuuge! Even the soup starter could fill you up. While the service gives you space to enjoy your meal without constant interruptions, you might have to wait a bit for your water to be refilled. But despite not being perfect, it's definitely worth coming back for another visit! And who/what is perfect?! (Rolling eyes!!) By the way, they have the best Brunch in the neighborhood and it's very well priced with 2 drinks included.

This was my first time trying Czech food. The restaurant is located on 73rd Street between York and 1st. I absolutely loved my food experience. We ordered duck and schnitzel. Both were great. The duck came with potato dumplings and red cabbage. I was not a fan of the dumplings, but the red cabbage was spectacular. I definitely recommend this place for those who have not tried Czech food before. ☺️

This is a true gem!!! One of kind atmosphere with great service. We ordered the holland schnitzel and goulash - it certainly did not disappoint. Portions are large so get ready to eat some amazing hearty food.

Low-key Czech beer hall on the UES. The beef goulash is my usual go-to - it always hits the spot, especially on these recent, cold winter days! The last time I went, my friend got the daily spacial pork goulash, which was tasty as well. The entree goulash portions are pretty large and I always have leftovers. The waitstaff are friendly but service can occasionally be on the slower side.

Excellent Czech / Slovak Food! Great Service & Charming Ambiance Fresh Beer! Highly Recommend

Very cute restaurant hidden down one of the quieter streets of the UES. We went for their weekend brunch, which was a pretty great deal - a dish and two drinks for $26. The menu is a little all over the place, and I wouldn't say that the Bloody Mary's we had were the most... traditional... ones you can get in NYC, but overall it was a lovely experience. Everything tasted good at least!

I should have left this review sooner. I always say that Bohemian Spirit is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC, and I dined here multiple times with friends and loved ones. The food is always amazing, and ambience is so charming. In July this year, my fiance proposed to me in this restaurant, as he knows how much it means to me. The staff in the restaurant are so nice, and they collaborated with my fiance to make sure I was seated in a corner of the restaurant where I couldn't see the friends who were hiding there. Their service is always so good and considerate of customers' needs. It was an unforgettable evening, and we will be sure to come back again.

Ambiance (4/5): We were seated immediately at 8pm on a Sunday. About half of the tables were occupied. There is also outdoor seating with string lights. The decorations remind me of a diner or a homey, eclectic feel. There are books on chairs on the walls. Service (5/5): There were 2 young staff members that tabled the whole establishment. We were checked in on frequently. Note there is a $30 corkage fee if you bring your own wine. Cocktails: Beef Goulash (5/5): The beef chunks were cooked amazingly tender. The stew was flavorful and complemented well when soaked in the bread dumpling. We wish we ordered the entrée size over the snack size. Roast pork (1/5): The pork was extremely dry and tasteless. Definitely needed the gravy to provide some moisture to the bite. The sauerkraut was okay. The bread dumpling was the perfect vessel to soak up the beef goulash over the rye bread.

Originally came for Czech food but later learned that they have a different menu for lunch, and it turned out to be awesome as well. We tried huecos rancheros and roasted beet salad, both are delicious. The beet salad was particularly refreshing. Want to make a note on the decorations, there are interesting pictures and objects from Czech Republic and you do feel like being in a different place. Our servers were attentive and friendly. We were allowed to stay a bit longer even though they are supposed to close for the afternoon

Wanted to try something different and stumbled upon this Czech restaurant. It's a pretty big restaurant with high ceilings. I had the veal schnitzel with fries. The veal had a thin crispy layer of coating. The fries were a bit soggy and I ended up bringing them home to put in the air fryer. Drinks wise, they have some Czech beers. I tried the classic Pilsner urquell, and it was actually a bit darker than I expected. Service was great.

Had an amazing brunch! The beef goulash is very hearty and delicious, great for the winter & chicken tamales were tasty, just need to add salsa cause little dry. The brunch deal is great, an entree with 2 drinks for $26, the Bloody Mary was very good! Love the quirky decor and big space, staff was friendly and attentive! Will come back to try their dinner menu!

I love Czech food and spent many years in Prague. This place is super authentic and gets czech food right. The inside has awesome art of the beautiful country. I got the confit duck leg wit red cabbage and potato dumplings. To die for. The meat fell right off the bone and the potato dumplings were perfectly like in the Czech Republic. I started off with the $12 potato soup and it's filling but so good. The potatoes are steamed and so soft inside. The mushrooms were tasty. Loved every bite. A Czech woman was our server. Bathrooms were clean downstairs. An expensive donut authentic and spot on spot.

This place is wonderful. The decor is great, the food is delicious and the menu is varied. Staff is incredibly caring and excellent. Prices are very reasonable. We will be regulars!!

Nice ambiance - very chill and spacious. Good for after work drinks. Great schnitzel. Also got their Caesar salad which was drenched in dressing and not super edible. Next time would just stick with the schnitzel.

Can we say Astoria favorite and New York City hidden gem?!? Plenty of space and awesome beer selection. Locals are great and easy to make conversation with anyone. If you are an Astoria local or visiting nyc you really can't go wrong here - highly recommend in the warm weather when they have live bands.LOVE THIS PLACE

The best Czechoslovakian food anywhere. Traditional atmosphere and great service with reasonable prices. We love it!

Nice spot. 1) I recommend the svickova with the dumpling-type bread. The svickova is meat with large amount of gravy and cream. It is tasty. The dumpling type bread soaks up the gravy. 2) Their service is amazing. 3) The downside is, they do not have the Czech menu during lunch, only dinner on weekends when I went.

I live up the street from this establishment and have never dined here before. I am a long time vegan and this cuisine is not vegan friendly..... but!!! I checked the menu last night and I was delighted to see some lovely salads and a vegan tamale on the menu so my date and I went and it was wonderful. Terrific beet salad, great tamale, and of course the dark beer was excellent. We sat outside and the ambience was lovely, as was the service. I will return!

Such a unique restaurant. I went with my friends for brunch and although we were the only ones dining, it was a great experience. Service was very friendly and attentive. I got the 3 egg omelette and thought the omelette was a generous portion but the toast that came with it was really tiny (the size of half my hand). Great price of $24 for an entree and 2 drinks included! Alcoholic and non alcoholic. Overall, would want to come back to try the more Czech dishes and more Czech beers!

I don't know how I found this place, but I am damn glad that I did! It is in a decent popular area in the Upper East Side. When you walk into the restaurant, it's like you are transported into another country. I wouldn't call it a themed restaurant but it definitely makes you feel like you're on an adventure. Beer here decent - Czech beers. We got the a Pilsner and a the dark beer. Food is spot on. The schnitzel was good but the mashed potatoes are fantastic. My wife got the potato soup which was also highly recommended, and it delivered! It's perfect for a cool fall/winter day. The apple strudel was good as well, though a bit dry for my liking. The ice cream and whipped cream are provided in ample amounts to complement it. Overall - i would come here again

Great goulash. Went with a few old friends, and stayed a long time. They weren't busy on a Thursday night, it was the perfect ambiance to catch up, eat delicious Czech food and , paired with the draft Pilsner Urquell made for a great night out.

I don't have any major issues with this place. It's just not a vibe for me. I wanted to like it, but the menu doesn't make me feel wow'd. However, the staff was great and it's a nice, unique place to be. Not one of my favorites, but I'm sure people love it- should it be for them.

We stumbled upon this place, and I'm glad we did. Space is big and fitted with what seems to be authentic Czech decor. Cool pictures on the walls, lamps and chairs attached to the ceiling. Definitely a Central - Eastern European vibe, and it's charming and makes you feel you're thousands of miles away. They also have an outdoor set up with guests enjoying Czech beer, kinda like you would at an outdoor cafe in Prague. Food is authentic and tasty. I recommend the Goulash: it was well seasoned and meat was tender. I also had the potato soup with mushrooms, which was flavorful, though maybe somewhat under-salted (east fix). Check out their beer list!

If your ever craving homelike Czech food this is the place you'd goto! I got the potato soup and the veal schnitzel, which were both great. Came here on a really cold and rainy day and it hit the spot and kept me warm for remainder of the day. Would recommend to all!

I was here with several others earlier in the evening. I have been to the Czech Republic and I found the food to be warming and comforting. This isn't a culture which you should expect a lot of spices and overall everything I ordered was very tasty though I would probably get a different appetizer (likely a soup) next time. The service was pleasant answering questions and providing us with water and other things when needed and not bothering us for a very long time when we were just chatting at the end. To begin to drink I got the Brouczech Dark /Brouček Granát which is made by Nova Paka. This is basically the Czech version of a dark lager (similar to a Dunkel but more malty/less bitter.) They also had the usual Pilsner Urquell for the same price as well as another beer and they were reasonable enough being 7 for the small and 9 for the large. I started with the "Drowned Sausages" - "Drowned Beef Sausages "Utopenec" w/Mustard & Rye Bread." which was 11$. The sausages had a sour flavor most likely from the pickling and there was also some onions as well as pickled peppers, pickled carrots, pickled cauliflower; and as listed mustard, and rye. The sausages were fine and they were on the saltier side so they went will with said beer (which makes sense if they are a bit of a drinking food.) another person got the headcheese which was outstanding and another person got the beef tartare which was fine. The final person eventually ordered the potato soup which was a potato, mushroom, and vegetable soup which they loved. As my main, I got the "Svickova Sauce" - "Braised Angus Beef Flat Iron w/Cream "Svickova" Sauce w/Bread Dumplings & Cranberries which was 26$. Svíčková in general refers to said sauce made from a few usual root vegetables flavored with some spices and heavy cream and thickened and in this case it was with beef. The sauce had a like sweetness to it from the root vegetables and it was very satisfying and the beef was very tender which makes sense from it being flat iron. While they are traditional; from prior experience with bread and potato dumplings; I didn't exactly want them so I substituted some potato pancakes (for 3$) which were served with sour cream of course. The potato pancakes turned out to be outstanding with a wonderful texture and they went wonderfully also with the sauce. Another person got the the same dish but got a side of potato dumplings. And I tried both and they were lighter than their counterparts I remember from the Czech Republic but I still prefer the potato pancakes. Other people got the rainbow trout and the salmon and they enjoyed it but I would say the majority of dishes as expected are meat based. As we were very full from our main dishes and the appetizers we decided to split one dessert. The server recommended the crepes as they would be easier but as we wanted something a little bit different, we went with the ovocné knedlík/"Fruit Dumplings" - "Fruit Dumplings w/Dark Beer Sauce & Ginger Bread" for 12$. The fruit in question was strawberry but I presume they also make it with other fruits depending on season and what's available. The dumplings were soft with a large strawberry piece in the middle. The gingerbread in question is more of a topping and it as a fun texture. They have a prep time of 15 to 20 minutes as they are made fresh and in the mean time, another person and I decided to go with a shot of fruit brandy or Pálenka. They serve mostly a brand called R Jelinek and as I have a bottle of their more popular Slivovice/plum brandy (which they make a cocktail out of) and as I haven't had their apricot brandy/marhuľovica, I decided to go with that one and it was 12$. This was a strong tasty liquor with a very strong apricot flavor in front and some warmness in back from the alcohol and they served it in a shot glass with a R Jelinek logo. The food overall was very tasty here. Sure it is not a spiced as other cultures but it isn't expected for Central European food. Very tasty main and a tasty dessert with pleasant service. I just would probably get a soup or headcheese next time instead of my appetizer but no real complaints. Mid 4 for the type of food.

Had dinner there with my two sons , beer selection was great, food in the verge of international may be not enough Bohemian specialties but still very good Ambiance well above average we definitely will be back Service prompt and professional and we all had been thoroughly satisfied

The restaurant was empty on a Sunday brunch afternoon time; however, service was poor. The food wasn't good-a hair was in one of the orders. Couldn't get the check for a long time and finally asked a random employee. I made a mistake customizing the tip, and the employee rudely called me out for leaving a small tip as we left. The super low tip was not intentional. Would not recommend this restaurant.

This is a wonderful place for authentic Czech food, starting with the beef svickova and the drowned cheese. The goulash and the schnitzels are great also. Any of the deserts will leave you satisfied. Too bad they don't open for lunch!

This is very hard for me, because this used to be a go to for my family. The quality of the food has declined together with the portions. The service is possibly the worst on UES unfortunately. Schnitzel portions inconsistent, with price increases and reduction in value (cucumber salad is no longer a part of the dish). Svickova, the amount of fat made the meal inedible during our last visit. The only good part was the sour kraut soup, but not at the premium price charged. This was a second really bad visit in a row, I hesitated to write a review after the first one, giving them a benefit of a doubt. But unfortunately after my second awful visit, it is not a coincidence anymore. Unfortunately I will not be visiting Bohemian spirit anytime soon.

(Belated review because I posted it under the wrong business ) Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? I know, I know--This is OG Bohemian, not Queen Bohemian. Anyway, I wanted to spend a night drinking Czech wine with my friends, and this was about the only place in the city that had actual Czech wine. So drink we did. Points for that. The food, though, just wasn't thrilling. I've been to Prague, and I know Czech food is a lot of meat, bread and potatoes, with nary a spice to tingle your tastebuds. But still...I was kind of hoping for more. The Beet Salad wasn't bad, but if it hadn't been for the cheese, it would've been tasteless. The Apple Strudel, though generously portioned, lacked flavor. Points for seating our party in the large, sectioned- and velvet-curtained-off part of the restaurant. The intimacy was nice, but the inability to flag down a server wasn't so great.

What a pleasant place, with really great food. I've never been to the Czech Republic, but it reminded me and my family of a very neighborhood-y place we went to in Vienna this spring. We had the head cheese, cucumber salad, liver paté, veal schnitzel, fried cheese, sauerkraut and prune buns for dessert, all of it absolutely delicious and scrupulously prepared. Our waitress was the sweetest person, with great advice on wines etc., and all the staff were very attentive. There's everything right about this place and nothing wrong with it!

Vianoce v nyc! Na Floride europskeho jedla nemame vela - prekvapivo,.. ale v ny najdete vela miest- od ceskeho, slovenskeho (odporucam Kolibu v Queens) , cez ukrajinske, polske az po ruske... tato česka restika je vazne ze super! Odporucam, najdete tam vsetko co vam v americkej kuchyni chyba. Bola som tam niekolko krat za svoj pobyt a skusila vela jedal z ich menu... a varene vinko samozdejme.. nemam ziadne vyhrady, vsetko bolo chutne a čerstve! 5 obsluha tiez super! Dakujem!

I was so excited to return to the Bohemian Spirit. The atmosphere is so unique. I ordered two of their signature dishes; beef goulash and roast pork. The goulash was delicious and well made. The pork dish was not good. The pork was way overcooked and dry. I didn't eat it.

Been here a few times. They do take-out, delivery and outdoor dining. The take-out and delivery special now is 10% off and free beer with entree. The outdoor seating is setup nicely. Come early though if dining, they get packed. They open earlier now starting at 4pm. The food is great. My fav is the duck leg with red cabbage and potato dumplings (which is more like bread than what I think of as dumplings and taste like a savory sponge cake ). The duck skin is crispy. Quite a delicious dish. I've had their goulash soup and potato soup with mushrooms. The goulash soup is good, but the potato soup is my fav here. It is a big bowl and very filling. It comes with what looks like wheat or sourdough bread on the side. The liver plate for appetizer is good too. I've also had the beef tartare here before and that's absolutely delicious. Can't forget the beer and dessert. I like the Pilsner Urquell with the meal. And the apple strudel with ice cream for dessert. The strudel skin is crunchy and apple is apple without too much goo inside. Almost feels healthy to eat it and without guilt. Worth a try and shareable.

What a cool find - tucked away from the main drag between Second and First Ave, you come across a ton of lights around the extremely stately Czech consulate building. Fun fact: this building used to be the 120-year-old Bohemian National Hall which was taken over by the Czech Republic in 2001 and the renovated, with the consulate now occupying the upstairs. The interior is so cool and full of character; I spent the first five minutes just looking around at the trinkets and decorations. They even have chairs strung up along the ceiling. Can't opine too much on the drinks. I went with my usual default of a riesling which wasn't the best and very flat. Beer, if you like it, is the way to go here. We ordered the beets salad with cherry tomatoes, peppers, and farmer's cheese to start. Something fresh and vegetal to put into our bodies before all the fried meat and potatoes. I ordered the trout which came on a bed of nicely wilted greens. The fish was well-prepared with lemons and rosemary but a tad on the overdone side. Taken off the heat one or half a minute earlier, and it would have been perfect. Tried a bite of the schnitzel with a creamy mushroom sauce. It was a little fatty and gristly but the batter was nicely crisp. The mashed potatoes may have been my favorite part of the meal. Couldn't leave here without trying the dessert - we got both the apple strudel and the fruit crepes. Preferred the strudel, chock full of caramelized apples and raises. Very easy to eat the whole thing, even super full. Will have to come back to try the $18 brunch with two drinks, which sounds like an amazing deal.

Loved this place, every dish was genuinely fantastic. The schnitzel, the tartare, the various dips and spreads, all amazing. The stouts they had were also great. Will definitely be back, strongly recommended!

I had never had Czech food before but I was pleasantly surprised by the richness of the food. The place is just amazing, the decor is vibrant and the place is lively. It was a nice experience.

Czech restaurant was looking forward to visit and try their food. Was very disappointed. Cucumber salad had no flavor and was very soupy. Duck was very dry and old I can taste old fat. Service also was very poor and not helpful at all you can seat there and wait forever because nobody come to the table.

Do not, I repeat, do NOT go here for brunch. The service is painfully slow, they are not accommodating, and they are rude. I'm giving it two stars because the $16 Bloody Mary was pretty good. Otherwise it would get zero.

In short, if you grew up eating Czech food like I did, you'll love this restaurant. The ambience is really nice, and being attached to the Czech Consulate, it's done up beautifully. The decor reflects quite a bit of modern Czech culture, and is really interesting. Even so, go there for the food! My mom was mostly Czech and grew up in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio that had a large Czech population. As a kid, I had no idea that much of what we ate was Czech-style cooking. My sister and I just thought it was food! Even so, I WAS aware that we ate a bit differently (and better) than most of the other kids I knew at school. As an adult, though, I was fortunate enough to visit Prague a couple of times and even found family members who showed us around the region. We ate in restaurants both small and large in Prague and in the tiny village where my ancestors lived. Those trips really confirmed that my taste buds are Czech and that Bohemian Spirit is the real deal. We've been there twice now, and will likely go back the next time we're in New York. The service was good, but relaxed (which is the norm in Europe), and we loved the authenticity of the dishes. We even had some excellent Czech rosé wine and a liqueur called Becherovka. It's herbal, but may remind you of cinnamon, and is quite popular among the Czech people. This restaurant is like a mini trip to Prague. I really recommend it.

FOOD: I ordered the friday soup special which was the beef and barley soup. SO DANG GOOD. I honestly would've asked for seconds if I were at a buffet. super savory. I also ordered the svickova sauce entree, which was honestly the most interesting thing I've eaten in a while! the closest thing I can compare it to would be like a cream/curry/tumeric based thing??? idk but it was amazing. it came with a cranberry sauce with whipped cream which may seem weird but it just went well with the rest of the dish. oh and the bread dumplings?? so soft and chewy and just ugh. perfection. (p.s. apparently this is what earned their Michelin star!!! well deserved for sure) DRINKS: I wanted to get the brouczech beer however they were out of it. but my second option was still good nonetheless. The krusovice was a good replacement. the waitress said it was "less bitter" than the pilsner urquell and she was right. perf for me because my beer palate is pretty immature haha SERVICE: drinks were refilled and reordered quickly. food was brought out efficiently and the menu was explained to us adequately. missing items were apologized about and replacements were suggested!

Love the food...the real deal! I can't recommend this place enough for people who want a real taste of the Czech Republic.

This restaurant is one block from our apartment and I walk by it all the time and it's usually full around dinner time. Yesterday we went in for dinner and we were in for a treat. Because of COVID they only have outside seating and a handful of tables, which is not rare in New York these days. I had one of the best schnitzels of my life, besides the ones I had in Austria and Switzerland. Large portion and made well. Husband ordered the goulash which was also A class.

A group of us went for brunch. Went up to $21 but still a good deal. For my entrée I got the goulash. The meat was very soft and flavorful. The overall dish was a little small but still pretty good. Also got a couple of mimosas that were also a little small but still good.

Great food and service and homey atmosphere. Had the chicken schnitzel which was delicious and would highly recommend the fruit dumplings for dessert!

I had eaten at Bohemian Spirit with friends about a year ago and the food was so good so we returned for dinner over the weekend. This time was not so good. Pros: - Delicious Beet Salad, Pork Schnitzel with Potato Salad, Berry Strudel with Whipped Cream and Vanilla Icecream, and Blackcurrant Soda. The Schnitzel was perfectly done: crispy on the outside and really juicy and tender on the inside. Cons: - Beef Goulash was one note, not very flavorful and some pieces were dry and inedible. The Drowned Sausage appetizer was also alright and tasted like sausage from a squeeze tube. - Service was so slow that we kept reminding wait staff for our beverages and ended up having a comped beer - Our entrees took over 45 minutes to arrive (I think our waiter forgot to put them in). He also came over and said "Your food is coming out soon" but then 5 min later informed us that there was no Veal Schnitzel left so we had either Pork or Chicken....meaning our food wasn't about to come out soon because it hasn't been made yet! He felt so bad in the end that we got a comped dessert - A waitress accidentally dropped some food next to me and some sticky sauce landed on my pants. There was broken glass and fruit on the floor right underneath me for a good 10 minutes before I had to remind our waiter that it hasn't been cleaned up yet. Overall, wouldn't want to come back at busier times because of the poor service but I would def return for the Schnitzel!

Came here on a beautiful Friday evening on a date. We were able to make a reservation for outdoor dining, which was fantastic, especially now that many restaurants don't take reservations for outdoor seating. I ordered the beef goulash with potato pancakes and my date ordered chicken schnitzel. My dinner was delicious and the portions are big enough for leftovers (which I LOVE). I ordered one of the Czech red wines, which was pretty good. They have a decent selection of Czech beers and wines. The service was on point, we didn't feel rushed, but there was always someone available if we needed anything. Next time, and there will definitely be a next time, I want to try more of the appetizers, they looked delicious.

Just had a wonderful brunch here ... and it was only $18 which included 2 drinks. Service was great as was the food. BTW The site says that it opens at 4 but it opens at 11:30 on Sunday and maybe Saturday for all I know.

The server who sat us had a major attitude; and couldn't answer a simple question regarding a salad. She then left us sitting there for over 15 minutes w/o asking if we would like something to drink- and the restaurant was empty. We got up and left so unfortunately did not get to taste any of their food. Perhaps if we had the other server things would've gone differently.

I'm a big fan of northern European culture, beginning east of the Elbe River. Once the Berlin wall, and with it the USSR, got self-destructed I spent nearly a decade doing business in places not much seen by Wessis the previous 50 years. To my eye the areas west, having been substantially rebuilt after 1945, are a lot less interesting than to the east where economic restraints minimized recovery from the war. But an unintended result was that these countries became a kind of museum of cultures which were, in the end, about the people themselves anyway. And they of course endured. There's a commonality about many things once you cross the Elbe, particularly with food. I'm inclined to think this ultimatately results from having to fashion a cuisine based, of economic necessity, on crops that grow in short summers and very cold winters. This Czech restaurant is a fine throwback to an earlier age, with food and "Old Bohemia" service that is about as close to home as you'll get this side of Prague. I had my first taste here recently on a friend's recommendation. Headcheese starter, then duck with cabbage and dumplings, several rounds of pils and dessert crepes: all terrific. The restaurant shares the building with the Bohemian National Hall which offers considerable information about Czech history and culture, along with regular events, performance or film. I got lucky years ago in being tutored about Czech things by a girl back in Austin, where a number of Czech families live. She baked the lightest of kolaches from the cookbook her Babička left her, and her sweet memory together with this fine dinner made the evening one I will surely revisit soon. But I take nothing away from this experience by saying that next time I'm in town I'll head for the Ukrainian restaurants in NOHO. These days I suspect I won't be the only one doing so.

This is my favorite restaurant in NYC. Very authentic and hardy comfort food in a nice, simple atmosphere. Highly recommend.

I had been really wanting to try Bohemian Spirit for some time and finally stopped in in a Friday evening! The space is pretty large and wasn't too busy, so the friendly sever sat us right away. The place itself gives a nod to some of its Czech cultural ties, while keeping a clean and somewhat modern feeling. Ideally I would have ordered the entire menu since it all sounded great, but we got the beef steak tartar with toasted garlic bread and I ordered the duck confit leg with red cabbage and potato dumplings. I absolutely loved both dishes. The tartar had a good balance of herbs and spices in the dish that went with with the bread. The duck was just the right level of crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I'd love to come back again and try their schnitzel! Because we couldn't stop ourselves, we also got the apple strudel with a scoop of vanilla outside. I love the way the warm from the strudel tastes against the cold delicious flavor of the ice cream.