Enjoy St Martin´s Roasted Goose and Wine in Pilsen
The St Martin´s Day is celebrated in the Czech Republic every year on November 11th. It is said that on this day St Martin comes riding on his white horse and on this day the winter begins. Unfortunately, this is not true anymore as in Pilsen there was no snow even at Christmas for several years now. Nevertheless, it takes nothing from the atmosphere of the late autumn. This is especially true when the St Martin´s goose is roasted and combined with a glass of St Martin´s wine. A number of restaurants in Pilsen offer St Martin´s menu in this time of the year. There is no need to drink wine only; the roasted goose is very well combined with Pilsen beer too.
What is the St Martin´s Wine like?
St Martin´s wine is the first wine of every year. They are young, light fruity types of wine which matured only for several weeks and therefore they have typical characteristics and very fresh taste. They are produced from special kind of wine and on the November 11th it is the first day when you can taste it. However, it is offered minimally until Christmas.
And what about the St Martin´s Goose?
The legend says that the goose went to the oven because it betrayed St Martin. There are two versions of the story. One story says that wild geese revealed St Martin´s hiding when he hid himself from the bishop´s men. The second legend says that geese made such a noise and they disturbed St Martin during his preachment and therefore they had to be punished for it. Actually, it does not matter which story is true, in the middle of November geese are the most well-fed and after the whole year of hard work and before the Christmas fast there is the right time to enjoy it and feast. The goose is prepared in many various ways, often combined with apples, pears, or plums, traditionally with dumplings and cabbage.
St. Martin’s Feast at the Old Farmhouse “U Matoušů”
You can enjoy roasted goose, goose liver, and other goose specialties on November 12 from 11-18 h at the Old Farmhouse “U Matoušů” in Pilsen’s Bolevec neighbourhood. Apart from the delicious food, you’ll also find good wine from approx. 30 wineries from Bohemia and Moravia. Plus, the dulcimer band will play while you eat, and you’ll also get to see St. Martin on his horse.
A day trip to see St. Martin
You can even venture outside of Pilsen to see St. Martin. On Saturday, November 12, St. Martin will come to Radyně Castle. St. Martin’s Feast will also be held here, and you can taste this year’s St. Martin’s wine while enjoying the afternoon with Martin’s entourage.
St. Martin’s Holiday Wine Tasting
St. Martin will also be celebrated on Thursday, November 17, which is a bank holiday in the Czech Republic, from 11-19 h in the Křižíkovy sady Park. It’s here that more than a dozen local wineries will be waiting for you at their stands, so you can taste the first wines of 2022. The wine will only be poured into special glasses that can be purchased at this event.
St. Martin’s goose offered in Pilsen restaurants
In Pilsen, you can choose from many restaurants offering St. Martin-themed menus. A number of them have added goose delicacies to their daily menus, while others created their own special menus. We recommend checking when these meals will be available, and not hesitating to order them while you can. Bon appetite!
A few final tips
It almost goes without saying that traditional goose feasts can be expected at the Potrefená Husa (The Hit Goose), which serves both Goose Kaldoun and goose thigh with cabbage and Carlsbad dumplings. The restaurant u Pramenů na Roudné invites guests to try its goose pâté and potato pancakes, as well as the goose thigh. At the restaurant Srdcovka Corso, you can enjoy goose dishes prepared using various methods, and the restaurant U Mansfelda offers goose roasted to a golden crisp. Even the hotel restaurant Pils’n’Grill in the Marriott features an evening St. Martin’s menu, as do an array of other pleasant establishments. All you need do is ask…
