Slovak House in Bratislava: Cheap Steak & Live Music
I've written about two great restaurants in Bratislava during this business trip, but since I've only visited two places, it might not be the most reliable information. I'm just writing these posts like a diary, and I have very little time to explore anyway. Still, the Bratislava pub I posted about earlier has a long history and was recommended by a hotelier. And crucially, it was absolutely delicious.
This time, I was just walking down the street and went into the loudest place, which even had someone touting out front (though not as aggressively as in Asia). You might ask, "Why would you go to a place that touts?" But it was the only restaurant in Bratislava I saw doing this, so I actually found it fascinating and decided to go in.
One universal rule is that "a crowded restaurant is a good restaurant." Even though it was well past dinnertime, there were still four or five tables occupied, so it must be quite popular in the neighborhood.
Since I skipped breakfast and lunch and was being treated to dinner, I ordered a steak and a beer. Speaking of beer, back in Korea, I could easily drink two or three 500cc glasses, but here, the beers are so strong that I can barely finish one. But it really feels like proper beer. It doesn't taste like barley tea the way ours does. (Though getting drunk off that barley tea is another story.)
I saw firsthand how Eastern Europeans refreshingly chug their beers and tried to copy them, but it seems a bit too tough for me.
The price for this menu is roughly in the low-to-mid 20,000 KRW range. In Korea, they would have asked for at least 40,000 KRW, so it's nice that the food is so cheap. (Though it might be considered expensive for Bratislava...) As for the taste... it just tastes like a regular steak. It's not like in a comic book or a variety show where your eyes pop open and you can give a long, eloquent description. Plus, the portion is huge. What's even more surprising is that I ate it all.
What I liked about this place wasn't just the cheap food, but the live music. (Actually, the cheap price is just due to regional differences; it's not cheap for Bratislava.) The portraits and murals on the walls are unusual, but that bald guy is the most extraordinary part. He was singing alone without a stage, completely full of soul. People weren't watching it like some grand performance; they just hummed along as if listening to the radio. He crooned songs with the power to create a mood in an otherwise ordinary restaurant. I don't know much about music, so it's hard for me to judge, but as I was leaving, I thought I might have just listened to a truly amazing singer. On my way out, I tapped my chest and gave him a thumbs-up to show my appreciation, and he gave me a bright smile and wished me a good night.
There's nothing incredibly special about Bratislava, but there's nothing particularly bad about it either. The longer I stay, the more I fall for this city's comfortable and quiet charm.