U Kocoura — Restaurant in Prague

This is easily one of the best bars I have ever frequented. Minimalist decor, a cat picture portrait on the wall, heavy wooden tables and benches crowded with good-natured - if laconic - Central Europeans and the occasional unfortunate posse of drunken Englishmen pretending it's still 1750 and a Grand Tour gives them license to disrespect their Continental neighbors and perpetuate their reputation as a loud, uncivilized, and muddle-headed bunch of pretentious twits and wankers - sorry, where was I,, a thick fog of cigarette smoking hovering beneath the vaulted ceiling, delicious goulash and cheese plates to chase away the cold vapors of an October night, half liter beers for $1 - let me repeat: one dollar - from a tap that never kicked, a delightful barman who, while never saying a word to us other than "two more beers, guys?" , was always ready and able to top us off the minute one of our steins threatened emptiness, a stone's throw away from Prague Castle which always afforded a delightful postprandial - if rather unsteady - walk and view of the city - in sum, a cozy, welcoming spot to hang your hat, light up a couple cigarettes or three, knock back a few beers or eight, and eat a warm meal in a warm glow of Central European hospitality. Don't tell anyone about this place - especially not the Americans spoilt on over-hopped, over-priced "craft" beers - because it's a treasure that shouldn't be wasted on the vulgar and the mean. Tell Pavel...

Heard so many good things about this place so I decided to call and book for dinner. The guy who answered the phone was extremely rude. To my “Hi, sorry do you speak English?”, he just loudly said “No” and immediately hung up! I was shocked, but fine, it must be busy on a Friday night. Decided to give it another chance and went to the restaurant in person, maybe it’s gonna be worth it. But well, we arrived and the asked if there was a table for two, a guy just impolitely said No and walked away, leaving us in once again shock. The place was not even that busy, another waitress was smoking outside while we entered so it couldn’t have been THAT BUSY. I assume this guy is the same guy who answered the phone, otherwise this place is desperately filled with unprofessional and low-mannered staff!! Never had a chance (actually I tried TWICE) to try the food here but I refuse to try any any other times, no matter how authentic and amazing the food is. I would definitely NEVER come back, and if I could I would have given ZERO START to this place. Luckily Google Review was kind enough so here it is please take one star for...

Our one and only unpleasant experience in Prague. Cheap beer, but yucky vibe. From the moment we walked in, the barman treated us with rudeness and disdain. The place reeked of stale cigarette smoke and really has nothing appealing in terms of decoration or seating. In the bustle of coming in from -10ºC and getting our coats off and sitting down and ordering two beers in the process, we had not noticed the teeny-tiny sign that said they don't take cards. We saw it and asked the barman - he was immediately angry and pointed at the sign in the manner of "are you actually stupid???!!!", all the time looking like he would enjoy seeing us eaten by crocodiles. We said that we have euros, he shouted that he will accept paper money, and then proceeded to totally rip us off with the exchange rate. We kindly pointed out that he had given us a very small amount of change in korunas for the euros we had given him but he really could not care less and obviously just wanted us to die a horrible painful death. I would...