First Look at Hospoda, Serving ‘Contemporary Central European’ Next

A couple of months ago, we discovered that Yorkville’s Bohemian National Hall would soon hold an upscale Czech restaurant. Now we get word that Hospoda (Czech for “pub”) will open on Monday. If you’re expecting chef Oldřich Sahajdak’s plates to be loaded with roast pork, dumplings, and sauerkraut, you better Czech yourself (sorry, had to do it). Instead, he’s offering a daily changing seven-course tasting menu of lighter “contemporary Central European” dishes, employing seasonal and local ingredients (as you can see below, à la carte and two-course options are also available). Operator Tomáš Karpíšek, head of what’s said to be the largest restaurant group in the Czech Republic, has hired Lukas Svoboda as “draught master” to oversee a beer program in which Pilsner Urquell brews will be poured four different ways, with varying degrees of head, consistency, and flavor. As you can see in our slideshow, kegs are chilled and displayed in a custom-built glass bar, and a glass floor looks down onto the beer cellar. Dinner is from 5:30 till 10:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with lunch on the way.

Hospoda Dinner Menu [PDF]
Hospoda Tasting Menu [PDF]
Hospoda Beer Menu [PDF]

321 E. 73rd St., nr. Second Ave.; 212-861-1038