Know what you're eating from: Ambiente's ceramics and glassware by Czech potters and designers
Štangl
In Karlin, Štangl is all about seasonality and ingredients from Czech farmers - and that's exactly what the tableware here is too. Chef Martin Štangl's heart has a spot reserved for ceramics by Hanka Vrbicová. Their collaboration is based on a natural harmony - Hanka often sits at the wheel and creates a plate directly "under Martin's hands". The aim is that the glaze and shape should not detract from the food. As Hanka herself says: "In a restaurant, it is the signature of the chef that is important, not the potter. The dishes must serve as a palette." The earthy pottery is complemented by traditional Czech porcelain by the brand G. Benedikt, where patterning on the Stone and Aqua collections resembles the texture of stone or water.
Another unmissable piece is the double-sided plate by Elis Monsport, decorated with texture on one side and smooth on the other, making it ideal for amuse bouche and desserts. Elis has also designed decanters and footed bowls for Štangl. And when it comes to pairing with drinks, the Alchemist collection created in collaboration between Olgoj Chorchoj studio and Květná 1794 glassworks refers to the transformation of raw materials into something precious.
La Degustation
At La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise, Czech history intertwines with playful modernity. On the tables, traditional porcelain and plates from different periods of Czechoslovakia mingle with hand-cut crystal from Rückl glassworks. Chef patron Oldřich Sahajdák likes to play with contrast, which is confirmed by the iconic Bubbles plates by Rony Plesl. The design, at first glance reminiscent of bubble wrap, is both elegant and witty.
The main element of the service is porcelain from the workshop Made in Chýně. The clay is not cast by machine, but by hand into moulds, so that each piece carries a human touch. Oldřich Sahajdák chooses his dishes intuitively - sometimes a particular shape catches his eye in the workshop, and only then does he start thinking about what he will cook on it in the kitchen. These are dishes that radiate warmth, honest craftsmanship and lyrical simplicity. The whole mosaic is completed by teapots by Hanka Vrbicová, on which joiner Vlasta Hanuš also participated.
Marie B and Bubbles, Made in Chýně and Hanka Vrbicová
At the tasting restaurant Marie B, they only share the details of each dish after it has been eaten - but we can tell you what the dishes are served on straight away.
While the plates and bowls were hand shaped by ceramists in Chýně (Made in Chýně), the sauce pots, teapots and coffee cups were made by Litomyšl potter Hanka Vrbicová who, as mentioned, also cooperates with Štangl and La Degustation.
Much like its sister restaurant La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise, the service at Marie B is complemented by Bubbles plates designed by Rony Plesl.
Skô and Modranská
At Skô in Holešovice, they serve food in ceramics like the ones chef Tomáš Valkovič remembers from his childhood - his grandmother owned a similar set. The plates, bowls and cups were created in the heat of the kiln at Modra ceramics, a workshop based in the town of Modra, which lies between Bratislava and Trnava. The fired products are dipped in a white glaze onto which local craftspeople paint folk designs with a brush. The mugs, plates and bowls then go into the kiln for another firing, after which the hold a beautiful shine.
The ceramics at Skô are decorated with simple, folk-inspired custom designs, created for the potters by Studio Najbrt, the studio behind the visual identity of Skô and other businesses across Ambiente.
Biskup and antique treasure
The porcelain on which the smaller and larger courses at Biskup are served is not just anyone's cup of tea. In fact, Biskup's team hunted down each piece in antique shops in Spomyšl and at the Porcelain Festival in Karlovy Vary. "Jirka and I love antique crockery and we absolutely love ornate oval plates. Our trips to antique centres were also a bit of teambuilding for us," recalls chef Alžběta Zemanová.
At Biskup, you can get tartare with fried onions or chicken on paprika served on these oval plates.
Ambiente's dishes on your own table
You can take a piece of the experience of breakfast, lunch or dinner at your favourite restaurant home with you. Serve steaks to family and friends on white and blue china from Naše Maso; Sunday sirloin on a plate from Lokál and lovers of First Republic design will appreciate the 1893 porcelain plate created for the 20th birthday of the Café Savoy. And what to slice, scoop and eat it all with? A set of cutlery from Kuchyn.
You can also take home glassware from the Bubbles collection, a collaboration between Rony Plesl and Bomma Glassworks.
