We had one heck of a time finding a food service place in the industrial town of Plzen that served something other than brown or white meat with brown or white potatoes and brown or white gravy. As it turns out, a blend of beige foods are really popular here. Like, REALLY popular... but not popular in my belly. That's just not my kind of cuisine. I need colors. I need vegetables beyond boiled potatoes. I need coffee that doesn't taste like dirt. Luckily, we found Blue Cafe off the back entrance to Hotel Central and the front entrance to Muzeum Strasidel. While my friend and I explored Muzeum Strasidel (don't bother) in the basement of the building, our boos took up temporary residence at Blue Cafe and we met them up here after we spent 10 minutes realizing the 'museum' kind of just kids gifts shop and tourist trap. Our guys placed orders for a few cappuccinos, americanos, and pastries, and my friend and I arrive right on time to eat them up. We were surprised at how empty the cafe and town center outside were on a Saturday afternoon, but I guess they don't get much tourism in the grey, gloomy, frigid winter months. The cafe is super basic and doesn't have much character. It kind of looks like it could be a false cafe set, like for a generic television show, but maybe they just prefer more minimalist design here. Our drinks were fantastic considering we were freezing when we walked in and the beverages were served at a perfect 2,000 degrees Celsius... or at least that's what it felt it. We found the place to be pretty average, except that the older woman working was just lovely and smile-y and helpful... unlike any of the other people we encountered in Pilsen businesses, so she really made the experience. Prices are reasonable for a hotel cafe and they were open when so many other businesses were inexplicably closed. read more

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