Vesmírna Kavárna

Vesmírna Kavárna, Universe Café, is a work training program for people with mental disabilities, who work as wait staff and baristas. It's really cool – in concept and reality. My friend Romana suggested that we have coffee there – which means that I had hot chocolate. It's sponsored by the city of Prague, the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and the European Social Fund in the Czech Republic. The tables are each named for their appearance. For instance, we were first seated at the Musle (Mussel) table, which had seashells under the glass top, but where moved to the Černý stůl, or Black table. All menu items have a number (for drinks) or a letter code (for food) and the waitstaff notes the table name, the number or letter code for the order and how many of each. It's a very simple organization and works very well. Overall, the atmosphere is peaceful, comfortable, the notion of it being zen-like entered my mind. It seems that the people who go there go for a reason – to support this cause. The drinks are good, not especially good or inexpensive. But it's a feel good café experience.

Since Romana and I were there for our tandem language conversation – half hour in Czech, half hour in English…her English is much better than my Czech – we were there for quite some time. We usually meet for 2 hours. After I finished my chocolate, I wanted something else but they don't serve cola. They are more healthy than that. They have juice and tea and coffee and beer but not cola. So, I went for a limonáda (lemonade-type drink, although it can be any flavor; it doesn't have to be lemon). I ordered the kopřivová límonáda s mátou. Not quite sure what it was, I went for it. Romana told me it was drink made from nettle. Yes, the week-type plant that can give you a burning rash. Oh, and it had mint added. I must say, I was a bit apprehensive but it tasted pretty good. It smelled kind of like a bath and body shop but it had a sweet taste and the carbonated/mineral water added to it. I wouldn't order it again, but I drank it.

I really like the café and plan to go back. I just wish the website was in English so more people could learn about it.