Clean Head Phil putting the blues in Red, Hot & Blues (Photo by Rebecca Weinstein).

At first glance the restaurant, located a short walk from Old Town Square, looks unremarkable. Yet, the music and scents of New Orleans wafting through the door beckon passersby to discover what Red, Hot & Blues has to offer. Continuing past the bar into the main seating area and the outdoor courtyard, the décor remains simple but refreshingly absent of any overly touristy decorations or tacky New Orleans memorabilia.

Giving diners an experience in the flavors and feeling of Mardi Gras is role of the food and the music rather than the setting.

The menu has a wide selection of Cajun and other American classics like buffalo wings and burgers. The quesadillas are stellar starters and are deliciously toped with salsa, sour cream and jalapeños for an extra kick on this tex-mex classic (189 crowns, $9). However, the main portions are rather large so splitting the appetizers is recommended. For a main course, try the chicken creole filled with tomato, pepper, onions and celery flavors and a hot, but not overly explosive, kick. The burrito with seasoned chicken was everything one would expect from a typical burrito but nothing particularly distinctive.

While the food is appetizing and homey, the menu itself is not particularly innovative. It is the complementary music in Red, Hot & Blues that truly makes the restaurant a noteworthy dining stop in Prague. If possible try and catch the Thursday or Friday night performances of Clean Head Phil low raspy voice singing the Kansas City Blues. (more…)