Vladimir's Czech Restaurant

OK its not fancy, in fact the decor is probably from 1960 and has never been changed. but the food makes it all worthwhile. I see they can't (by law) allow children due to the restrictions re their mini lounge/bar area... its ok, most children wouldn't want to eat the pre-fixe options anyways! Most travellers heading there would research this before going anyways.... The service was wonderful - the food delicious (I had the schnitzel, others in the crowd had the leg of lamb - delicious too) goulash I hear was just a little too thin, not quite enough substance to it. I will definitely return, despite the long drive from home. if only to have the amazing schnitzel again! Pros: pre-fixe menu, all great options more

We love this place. Ol' Vladimir is a true old world treasure and this is his house. He's seen so much and has a great story to tell. Forget the cocktails with an umbrella and a ""twist"" - you're going to get get a Pilsner or a nice shot of Becherovka - you may get ice, but don't cry if you don't. This is also an adult's play ground - a good excuse to get a sitter, leave the kids at home, and have some fun just the two of you. You gotta love Europe. You gotta love a little adventure, and you'll have a great time.\r \r Pros: Good food & ambience, never had to wait to be seated\r \r More Pros: Not set up for children of any age. Enjoy being a grown-up. Pros: Not set up for children of any age. Enjoy being a grown-up. more

This is the first time I have written a review. However, I felt compelled to do so after reading the reviews.\r \r I think some people just don't get it. Vladimir's does not follow the cookie cutter formula that many Americans seem to like (even in high end restaurants) & which we try to avoid like the plague. It's been our ""after hiking"" place for years - good food and drink, generous portions and Old World atmosphere. It is very REAL - including Vladimir who is not always all smiles (he's human, you know). Want an extensive wine list? Well go somewhere else. Talk about snobs! Try a Pilsner instead - and this from a non beer drinker. Going to Vladimir's is like going to a small village inn restaurant in any number of foreign countries. You quickly learn to go with the flow & just have a good time. Go in with a sense of adventure for something truly different. The fare is hearty, flavorful and authentic - very much a reflection of the owner, who is a character and has many good stories to share (if he's not running back and forth to the kitchen or bar because he does it all).\r \r Vladimir personally ""taught"" me how to eat a half goose one visit. I was daintily cutting it off the bone with my knife and fork. All of a sudden, Vladimir is standing behind me and proceeds to assist me in lifting the goose to my face with a slight growling sound & bearing of teeth. He encouraged me to just pick it up & eat it with my hands. He promised us all the napkins we needed. My husband had the same thing - & so we ate the rest of the goose with our hands. It was excellent!\r \r All right. I got it off my chest now. Sorry. But we are way too focused on what we want sometime. Instead we should experience what is being offered & make a choice to partake - or not. We choose to eat here because we love this little piece of Europe only a few hours away from home. We miss the bocci ball court but still enjoy a nice glass of Becherovka. Thank you, Vladimir, for 30 years of memories! Pros: Good food & ambience, never had to wait to be seated Cons: Not set up for children of any age IF that is a consideration more

We made the trek to Vladimir's a few weeks ago, but were encountered by incredibly rude staff who turned us away at the door because of our baby. Vladimir does not allow children to eat in the restaurant because of the bar. When I asked if we could eat outside, we were curtly informed he does not serve food outside. There was no accomodating our party by any means. My wife and I I felt like Clark Griswald when he finally made it to Wally World and was turned away at the gate. While Czech people are among the most hospitable in the world, they are not hospitable at Vladimir's! At the very least, Vladimir's could advertise their many limitations and restrictions on-line before travellers make the long hike. Or simply be nice about it at the door. So... in short, no kids, no vegetarians, no credit, no checks, no business! Pros: Cool ambience, Pilsner on-tap Cons: Terrible service, rude staff, not family-friendly more

I've been to Czechoslovakia....and Vladimir's is the real deal. WONDERFUL home cooked food ...Vladimir's wife does the cooking and he does the bar ( Pilsner Urquell on tap) and serves the meals Very friendly atmosphere AND adjacent Bocce ball court where you can play with the locals or Vlad , if he's not too busy. We had such a great time, we closed the place down and helped he and his wife clean up the kitchen! more

UNFRIENDLY STAFF!! NOT WORTH THE VISIT. Didn't know if you were going to be served, staff just looked. Old person behind bar was very rude!!!\r \r I have been to Prague before, beautiful city. The experience I had there was incredible. Friendly restaurants and people overall. \r \r However, Vladimir is not worth it. Little Prague in Davis is 10 times better.\r \r July visitor more

Vladimir's is the best place I've discovered since coming to the US from Austria four years ago. The food is really European and not some concoction of shiitake mushrooms and Zinfandel sauce calling itself European. The flavors are deep, delicious, very homey... Feels like Grandma will come out of the kitchen any minute and ask if we want more. The place itself is what is called gemuetlich in Austria - more than cozy. I'd go to Vlad's on Valentine's Day, or after a hike, or on my b day (this is, in fact, my plan for this year). I loved the beer, loved the simplicity, and Vlad's stories. Vlad's a hidden gem, a true piece of Europe in Inverness, and you don't even need a passport to go there. I highly recommend this place to all the foodies who want to try real Eastern European cuisine :) Pros: parking's easy... more

After checking out the reviews on Chowhound dot com I decided I had to check this place out despite the unfavorable review below. I'm glad I did. The food was great. Homey, simple, nothing fancy, but great. True, only one kind of beer and two kinds of wine (red or white). But they do have a full bar and all the pilsner urquel you can drink. Vladimir has been running the place since 1960. (He escaped over the mountains from czechoslavakia in 1948 on skis!) And he's still going strong. \r \r On a quiet Sunday night there were a few regulars and a sprinkling of visiting czechs. Accordian music was playing in the background. Candles at every table and a fire in the stove. The lights were low and the company was friendly. The food was quite filling (Of the two dishes we tried I'd go for the duck over the cabbage roll. The apple turnover thing was also fantastic. Home grown apples and a little sprinkling of chocolate. Delicious!) After a short hike on tomales point and sighting a herd of Elk on the hillside I can't think of a better place to finish up the weekend. Thanks Vladimir! more

""Veal"" was pork; even pickles and red cabbage were stale; food listed on menu was said to be ""sold out"" by Tuesday (in other words, cooked on the weekend; not fresh); a coke and one refill came to $11; poor food fixed at a $24 price (no appetizers); callous waiter, who seemed to be owner and ""pretend"" cook; no wine menu (""Whad'ya want, red or white?""). Never, never eat here, even if every other restaurant is closed. Nothing was edible. more