All posts tagged: Fine Dining

Mingles | Chosen #1 by KOREAT

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There’s a new restaurant guide book in town and it is Korea’s answer to the Michelin Guide. It’s called KOREAT and Mingles is now gracing the top of this list.  My foodie friend, Phil and I went to try this beauty out. Mingles is on the basement floor and this lends to a very cozy feeling. Sadly, it also means no natural light and yellowish pictures. However, the service was amazing. The waiter spoke English well and even played along with my jokes. It is certainly fine dining in its beauty but less stuffy than some other high-end restaurants we have tried. The food at Mingles is a creative Korean fusion. There are many fusion places dotted all over Seoul, but this is by far an exception. This is not Korean food that has been touched by Western tastes. The dishes fused seamlessly.  Everything tastes like wonderful care and thought goes into finding the perfect marriage of flavors. During our visit, we found each course delicious, very well explained and fun to eat. The highlights included the tofu soup in …

Ryunique | A Review

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First of all, don’t I feel an ass titling this A Review considering this restaurant was chosen as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world by Diner’s Club Academy. But, I’m only giving it that title for continuity to all the other restaurants I’ve tried in Korea and on this blog. I won’t pretend to know more about food than the experts of Diner’s Club so I’m really just going to share my experience with you! It was a haute cuisine themed blast and I couldn’t wait for each new course. That’s the sign of something special in a restaurant. It was like being on a food playground!

Jungsik | Revisted

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Another weekend, another reason to go all out. That’s a saying, right? Phil decided that we must try Jungsik again for two reasons. 1. It has moved locations from a cozy little place to a three level mega-restaurant. 2. It’s a different season than our last time there so there would be an entirely new menu. Jungsik Dang is owned and operated by Chef Yim Jungsik and its often rated as one of the best restaurants in Korea. I admit it is the finest restaurant I’ve ever eaten in and I feel infinitely fortunate that I’ve had the pleasure twice.

Elbon the table | A Review

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My birthday is today but my friend Phil came up from Daegu to celebrate with me last weekend. He immediately took the occasion to suggest a restaurant I’ve been wanting to try for about a year, Elbon the table in Garosugil.  So we went to have their five course lunch set menu. It is quite a beautiful establishment and the service was very comfortable. Many of the servers spoke English and they answered all my questions.  The deco is sleek and interesting with its open kitchen concept. We saw the celebrity chef, Hyun Seok Choi, who owns the restaurant. (Phil couldn’t stop staring, hah…)  I actually quite liked the open concept but I wonder how it is during a busy dinner rush. Probably much louder and crazier than a relaxed afternoon lunch. The food was delicious but without any WOW.  It was simply quite nice food in a really nice atmosphere. I thought the most desirable parts were the sesame “butter” served with the bread, the briny tomato seafood soup and the amazing chocolate mousse.  The mojito was also right …