In 1977, the Praha Restaurant and Bar had its beginning as the Old Prague Inn. It was founded by Vladimir and Jitka Smetana whose dream it had always been to own a restaurant. Both Vladimir and Jitka had immigrated to the US from Prague in the late 1950's. They began their life in America in Brooklyn, New York, where their older daughter Judy was born and later moved to California where their younger daughter Monica was born. The family moved to Colorado in 1974. From the beginning, the restaurant was family-owned and -operated with everyone helping out.

In 1985, upon completing her studies at the Salzburg Hotel & Restaurant Management School, Monica came back to the restaurant as the Chef. The family kept the restaurant until 1992 when they decided to sell the business. For 12 years it was not family-owned, but in 2004, when the lease was up for renewal, Monica, her sister Judy and mother Jitka decided to return to the restaurant business.

On June 8, 2004 the restaurant reopened as the Praha Restaurant and Bar. Today, three generations are involved with the restaurant. Jitka can be found helping in both front and back of the house operations. Monica is the Executive Chef and Judy helps with the wine selection. Martin, Judy's son, can be seen bussing the tables or mowing the lawn.

As the Executive Chef, Monica brings her broad, international experience to the restaurant. While studying in Salzburg, Monica trained and interned at 5 star hotels, namely the Grand Hotel in Badhofgaststein and the Astoria Hotel in Vienna's First District. There, she learned under the auspices of Peter Horak, a contemporary of Werner Matt, Jaroslav Mueller and Wolfgang Puck. Later, Monica worked as Executive Chef and Trainer for the Retz Hotel and then finished her Austrian stay working for another 5 Star hotel, the Hotel de France in Vienna.

Today, Monica's focus is on creating a global cuisine that offers a lighter side to a variety of dishes while paying homage to some Old World favorites.

The Praha Restaurant and Bar is reminiscent of an old European country inn where one can enjoy a delicious meal, excellent wine, attentive service and a warm ambience. The Smetana family looks forward to your patronage and in the Czech tradition we wish all 'Dobrou Chut'.