McCoy’s is one of my absolute favourite restaurants in the tri-neighbourhood area. McCoy’s is a small European style bistro ran by a husband and wife team. Chef Denis is Cordon Bleu trained, while his lovely wife has a passion for wine which is reflected in their fabulous drinks menu. Since it opened back in 2015 I have spent many happy occasions there, most recently New Year’s Eve where we enjoyed the most amazing beef wellington! Last week they invited me back to try their new Spring menu, and I couldn’t wait to see what they had come up with this season.
You can start a good meal without a glass of wine, and they currently have a fantastic promotion, where if you make a reservation and mention A Fat Girl’s Food Guide, you will receive a two glasses of white or red house wine per table. What’s better than wine? Free wine! Whilst I would have been more than happy to drink the house wine, we were very kindly given a bottle of the Stylo Garnacha (70,000). This was a sweet and fruity Spanish red that was very delectable. I’m generally more of a white drinker, and often find red too dry for my tastes but this very smooth, and at 14% it packed a really good buzz. If I came across this in wine shop I would certainly buy another bottle.
We kicked off with a starter of Buratta Cheese with Tomato Herb Salad (18,000). As you can see the presentation of this dish is just flawless and perfect for spring with the fresh herbs and fresh flowers. I just love the creamy goodness that is burrata. Paired with the pesto dressing and sweet juicy tomatoes it was pure poetry, and very refreshing thanks to a little zingyness in the pesto. My Chubby Hubby referred to it, “as a really posh caprese salad”.
The new items on the seasonal menu are the fresh pasta dishes, which Chef Denis was very keen to showcase. The first dish we tried was the Lobster Ravioli with Crab Bisque Sauce (25,000). The name of this really made me think of that Friends episode where Joey is screaming that he wants Lobster Ravioli even though the restaurant had ran out. Whilst I don’t care for fish all that much, I love lobster. The fresh pasta was stuffed with the tender sweet and delicate white meat, and the crab bisque sauce was orgasmic, I wanted to lick that plate clean, only common decency prevented me from doing so. After sampling many meals at McCoys I will say that chef Denis is master saucier which is not often something you find here in Korea, and it is what takes his dishes from good to incredible.
The second fresh pasta dish we tried was the Beef Ragu Tortelloni (26,000). This dish was a complete contrast to the light and airy lobster. The beef ragu was robust and flaourful. The beef had been slowly cooked until it was melt in the mouth tender. The tortelloni came in a caramelised beef and onion sauce and was sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese. We really enjoyed this too, it was very tasty. While these are the newest seasonal dishes on the menu, they still offer their fantastic bone in pork chop, and spatchcock chicken which I have reviewed on previous visits.
Overall it was another fantastic meal at McCoy’s. I truly love this restaurant. It is cozy and romantic, without feeling to chi chi, the food is tasty and I always walk away felling like I have seen something new. If you haven’t been yet now is the perfect time to go as you can get two free glasses of house wine per table, all you need to is make a reservation and mention A Fat Girl’s Food Guide.
Haebangchon
McCoy’s is located at 1 Sinheung-ro 12 gil, Yongsan gu, Seoul. To get there take a train to Noksapyeong Station and come out of exit 2. Walk straight to the end of the road, then take the road baring left and walk straight past the Kimchi Pots. McCoy’s is located at the very end of the HBC road just past Woori Mart, it’s just up ahead in the right hand corner. For more information you can call them on 070-8872-9292 or check out their facebook page.