Unfortunately, Prague is as close to Heaven as the Earth gets, and there’s really only one Jama. For a long time now, Jama has sailed her way through the waves of American refugees and Czech day-workers who love the basics of good food, good staff, and good old-fashioned rock’n’roll.
Both cultures intermingle beautifully here and if you ask any Czech, they’ll tell you that Jama is actually a Czech bar, while an American will tell you likewise and a Canadian will just tell you to shut the hell up.
But the one thing they all agree upon is that they all come here for the great food.
Jama (The Hollow) is probably the only bar in Prague where you’ll feel as though you’re in your college tavern.With reasonable drink prices, a menu featuring nachos, burritos, huevos rancheros, and burgers, and western culture on TV every day, it may be better than you’re local bar back home.
I come for the brunch. The hardest part is choosing which one you want, with only two surviving brain cells; “The American” with pancakes and scrambled eggs, sausage and home-fries in fulfilling portions, or that classic “Huevos Rancheros” (which are better than dear ol’gramps, but don’t tell him).
The “Irish” is a classic too, although a little too meaty for me, so I usually order the “Jama Breakfast” with its smackin’ good ‘shroom and cheese omelette, hearty waffles, home fries plus bacon and sausage, truly the Cadillac of Brunches.
And while there are other brunches in Prague, they’re all woosies and will probably cost you more than the just 110Kc average you’ll pay here for a couple plates full of good food. And with just two brain cells left, why take chances?
Keith Kirchner on Sports TV at Jama
They say some things never change and they say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and then, with resignation, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and that you can’t stop progress.
Quietly, Jama the Hollow has tinkered with its menu, so that it’s become a bonifide culinary experience, rather than just a consistently solid watering hole with some bar food.
I picked up on it slowly, hearing the odd compliment, and then noticing people reordering particular dishes, and finally had to notice the contentment all around.The choice of dishes, the preparation, and the ingredients themselves are now all first rate. Besides one of the more underrated lunch bargains in town (15 choices under 90 crowns), the Mexican food has improved in leaps and bounds. The corn, chicken, and garlic enchiladas feel healthy and are addictive, as are the flautas (a steal at 69 Kc), another great addition to a wide selection of Mexican dishes that can be as spicy as you need with real jalopenas on the side and plenty of hot sauce.
The grill items, additionally are so well prepared, the chicken wings have the spiciest sauce in town. There are lots of things to snack on, including Mozzarella Sticks (a rarity indeed), Fluffy Onion rings, and great salads (there’s this ginger dressing made from fresh ingredients that is out of this world, try it with the grilled chicken in a meal sized portion for just 109 Kc).
Brunch has also improved as well, and the menu has expanded with real pancakes. Of course the deserts are fine, the selection of Beers and Ciders is wide, and there are Cuban cigars for sale as well. They will show NFL, real football and hockey on special occasion, the March Madness college basketball tournament this week, and I’m sure the World Cup.
Over the years, Jama has really picked it up, go on and recheck it out.
V Jame 7, Prague 1, Tel: 2422 2383, fax: 2422 1783, Metro: Mustek, Tram: 3, 9, 14, 24, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, www.praguepivo.com
