Ok Fat Girl fans, I am about to rock your world right now so hold on to your hats. A mere two weeks ago the greatest company ever was launched in Korea. The name of that company is Y-Not takeout. These amazingly smart people have done what no one ever thought possible, delivery western food in Korea. The service is just starting out in Seoul but they plan to make it nationwide overtime. They are currently operating in the following central Seoul areas; Itaewon, Haebangchon, Kyungnidan, Hanam-dong, Yongsan Army Base and Banpo-dong.

A few months ago I was thrilled at the prospect of getting Indian food delivered to me through Chakra. But now I can get Mexican, Russian, Thai, American, African and even KFC! A bucket of the Colonel’s chicken delivered right to my bed. I’m salivating at the thought. No longer will I have to pester the Fat Boyfriend into going to Itaewon for food on hangover Sunday. I can get it delivered right to the door and the best thing is it’s all in English. No more Konglish and call backs to Pizza hut for me.

We tested the service out a few nights ago and decided to opt for some Mexican from Taco Amigo. This was actually the very first restaurant that I ate at in Itaewon nearly 6 years ago. So it’s about time that I got round to eating there again. I had forgotten how good it is. The Mexican cuisine here is actually very authentic while still offering the dishes you know and love. Even the corn tortillas taste homemade.

We placed our delivery order and  less than 45 minutes later it arrived with the kind and friendly delivery driver. You can pay with cash or card which makes it even simpler. As you can see above we ordered a chimichanga (13,000), Enchiladas Suizas (14,000), and Steak Taco set (10,000)which came with chips, rice, and beans. All this for only 41,000 and I didn’t even have to leave the sofa. I’m living the dream.

To check out the ever list of restaurants check their website. The site will tell you which ones are open and which are closed.  You can also order from more than one restaurant at a time. So if your fights revolve around Thai verses pizza as ours often do, peace will be resumed as you can have both, you just have to pay two delivery fees. You can even order on Kakao Talk. This service is so simple to use you will be able to navigate even through the hangover induced fog. Not convinced? Well too bad I’ve got a bucket of chicken to order.

I always seem to get a lot of requests asking for my advice on nice restaurants to visit for anniversaries and other such occasions. Well last week I got to add another to my list. Wine Odyssey is a chic, romantic wine bar and restaurant located in Hannam-dong. Warm and inviting, it breeds the feeling of romance as soon as you walk in, with the dim lights and plush furnishings. With an extensive wine list it’s the perfect place for oenophiles. They also have live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The perfect ambiance for those looking to go somewhere special.

While I waited a beautiful place was set for me and I was given a whole basket of bread all to myself. The baguette was perfect, real bread for once, with a lovely chewy texture and oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. The menu is large, filled with Spanish and Italian tapas dishes and main courses, with a few Russian favourites thrown in as a nod to its owner.

I really find it hard to choose between things I love. So when I perused the menu and saw they had garlic mushrooms and garlic prawns I really was torn. Luckily for me I am a VIP food blogger and they agreed to let me have a half portion of each. The Setas a la Cazuela (18,000) were so good! Sizzling in the pan when they arrived and doused in a delicious garlic oil that was perfectly flavoured with garlic without being too strong. The mushrooms were so juicy. I kid you not, I wiped the bowl clean. Soaking up all that lovely garlic oil with my bread.

As well as the mushrooms I had my Gambas al Ajillo (18,000).  Plump juicy King prawns in a garlic and chili oil. The sauce was so tasty without being hot. The chef told me the flavour comes from a Spanish sweet paprika he brought with him from Spain. A sure fire hit.

Lobster Pasta (35,000) was my main course. It was presented so beautifully I felt I was being spoiled. There were generous chunks of lobster throughout the rich and tasty tomato sauce. Served over spaghetti this was a really nice dish and different from most of the pastas you get in Seoul. Authentic and tasty, you won’t be disappointed if you try this.

To finish up I was treated to a service size tiramisu (8,000). The full sized portion is at least twice the size. Served up in an espresso cup this was the most adorable dessert ever. It was pretty damn tasty too. Smooth and creamy with a delightful coffee sponge without being too strong. The perfect end to a lovely meal.

Wine Odyssey is located at 3F, 273-2 Hannam-dong,Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The restaurant is in Hannam-dong and not that close to a subway station. The closest one is Hangangjin (line 6). You can walk from there in about 10 minutes. The directions are kind of complicated, so just check your smartphone’s map for directions, if I can find it then so can you! Call 070-8959-1198 or check out their facebook page for more details.

Every now and then you just have one of those days, that nothing but a calorie ridden bowl of pasta can make you forget. Sometimes only butter, cream, and copious amounts of cheese can cure you of your woes. Enter the chicken alfredo, just perfect for such an occasion. I don’t think my recipe is particularly authentic but this is how I always make it and it always hits the spot. It’s comfort food at its finest, quick and easy to make, and extremely satisfying.

Ingredients

200g of  dried pasta

1 chicken breast

1/2 an onion

3-6 cloves of garlic

5-6 mushrooms

200ml of cream

100ml of milk

1 -2 glugs of white wine

1 chicken stock cube

1 knob of butter

1 glug of olive oil

1 teaspoon of freshly chopped parsley

Freshly grated parmesan (as much as it takes for you to feel good again)

Directions

Finely chop the onion and garlic and fry in the olive oil for a few minutes until they have softened and become translucent. Chop the chicken breast into pieces and add to to the pan and fry until it has cooked. While the chicken is cooking put your pasta on to boil. When the chicken is done remove everything from the frying pan and put it in a bowl to the side. Drop your knob of butter into the pan and add the mushrooms, cook for a few minutes until they are done, then add the cream, milk, and wine and bring to the boil and reduce the heat so it’s simmering. Crumble in the stock cube and stir until its dissolved and the wine has cooked off. Drain your pasta once it is done. Then add the chicken and onion back into the pan with the sauce and mix together. Pour the chicken and sauce on top of your drained pasta and make sure it is evenly coated. Sprinkle with your chopped parley and grated parmesan. Serve in a bowl and top with more parmesan. Pour yourself a glass of that wine and say ahhhhhhh. Voilà my everything will be okay chicken alfredo.

A lovely day off last week afforded me to do some of my favourite things, shopping, eating, and drinking in the sun. Whilst indulging in some shopping in Sinsa, we got rather peckish. We spotted this cute little restaurant which looked ideal for a leisurely lunch.

The menu is Italian, consisting of salads, pastas, pizzas, risotto’s and several main dishes. The decor is cute and chic. With the doors opening right out on the street, a conservatory and a small patio outside it’s the perfect lunch spot for a sunny afternoon. There are also several imported bottled beers on the menu, but at 10,000 a pop it’s not the place to get drunk. They did have a pitcher of sangria which I would have liked to have tried, if my financial situation had been better.

After a browse of the menu, we decided upon a Ceasar salad (16,000), as a nod to healthy living. Although there was lettuce, parmesan shavings and chicken, they were missing a few of the key ingredients. There were no croutons or bacon. However, that didn’t really bother me so much, but if you were hankering after a traditional Ceasar salad you might be disappointed. The chicken was warm and marinated well and full of flavour. I did enjoy this salad but it was a little small for two to share.

Since we had been so healthy by ordering a salad, I thought we deserved a treat. So we got a pizza as a reward. They have quite the variety but we settled upon the margarita (15,000). The base was thin and crispy, just the way I like it. It had lots of cheese and pieces of fresh tomato. It certainly hit the spot. I only wish there had been more fresh basil and a little less olive oil on top.

Overall I think its a great spot for lunch if you are in the area. I wouldn’t travel miles to come, but the food is good and a reasonable price given the area. Sognare is located at 546-8, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. To get there take a train to Sinsa station (line 3). Come out of exit 8 and walk straight until you get to Tous Le Jours and make a left. Keep walking straight along that road until you reach the Diesel store, Sognare is opposite on the right. You can call them on 02-514-3398 for more information.

Whenever I go on a trip I always look on Trip Advisor to find great places to eat. However I rarely do this in my home city of Seoul. Last week I finally decided to have a gander and see what was rated as Seoul’s best restaurant. First place goes to Jyoti, an Indian place in Sinchon. Second was Pizza Peel. The reviews seemed great as it is one of the few places in Seoul with a real brick oven.

We arrived on a Friday night and it wasn’t too busy, a few tables were taken. A large menu consisting of pizza and calzone options. There is a very good variety of pizzas, the hard to find Hawaiian is no doubt a popular choice. They have all the ones you miss from back home and not a sweet potato or piece of corn in site. You can also create your own if you don’t fancy any of the ones on the menu.

Being a Friday we opted for a pizza each. I opted for the White, which is spinach, ricotta, mozzarella and olive oil for 15,500.  This pizza was fresh and delicious. The topping was great and just what I wanted. The base was perfection. You really can’t beat a brick oven for cooking pizza. I hope to have one in my dream home one day.

Niall chose the Pesto Chicken, which is pesto, chicken, feta, onion and mozzarella  for 18,500. This one was pretty tasty too, it was reminiscent of my favorite chicken, pesto and mozzarella sandwich at Indigo. I would have liked to have tried one of the tomato based pizzas too, but felt ordering three pizzas for two people might be going a bit far. The pizzas are of a good size and you can be more than satisfied with half each. If you are greedy like us and order too much then you can take your leftovers home in a box.

They also serve beer and wine, hurray! Draft Cass is 3,000 a pint and comes in frosted mug which is always a treat. If you’re a classy kind of bird then a glass of wine is priced at 6,500. They also have various craft and imported bottle beers.

All in all is Pizza Peel the 2nd best restaurant in Seoul? Probably not, is it the best pizza in Seoul? For me, no. Is the best Pizza in Itaewon,? Hell yeah! Authentically baked and traditional flavours, I can definitely recommend you head to Pizza Peel next time you have a craving for real pizza.

Pizza Peel is located at 34-65 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. From Noksapyeong station, walk straight from exit 3 to the intersection adjacent to the overpass. After crossing both streets to reach the main Itaewon strip, walk straight in the direction of Itaewon station. The Alley Marketplace entrance is located next to the Rottiboy Cafe, and the Pizza Peel is about 15 metres in.

From Itaewon station, walk straight from exit 4 for about 600 meters. The Alley Marketplace entrance is located next to the Rottiboy Cafe (past the McDonald’s and Starbucks), and the Pizza Peel is about 15 meters in. You can call them on 02-795-3283 or check out the menu on their Facebook page for more details.

Last night we finally got around to going to Trevia. It is just opposite our bus stop but until now we had not ventured inside. Whatever night of the week we pass it is always busy and now I finally understand why.

The cafe is decorated in an Italian style with pictures and Italian memorabilia all over the walls. They have big wooden tables and the ever so popular mismatched chairs. Is there a restaurant in Seoul that has a matching set?

As you enter the restaurant you will be given a menu and then you go and find your own seat. After ample perusing time you can go to to the counter to make your selection and pick up your water, cutlery and complimentary pickled vegetables. You will be given a buzzer that will ring when your pizza is ready. It’s a very good system and probably helps account for their lower prices.

We decided to get 4 slices instead of a whole pizza and this was almost too much for two people. You could easily share 3 slices between too as each slice is cut into another 4 pieces.

I opted for the mixed mushroom (5,500). I love mushrooms and this pizza was really good. It was topped with a good medley of mushrooms and cheese. The dough was thin, crispy, and chewy all at the same time, exactly how I like it!

Niall ordered a slice of the  Quattro Formaggi (5,500) four cheese. Presented in a very cute way each piece, came topped with a slice of cheese. Gouda, Gorganzola, Brie and Mozzarella were the choices.  He shoveled it down pretty quickly so you’re onto a winner with that one. Where else can you get that variety of cheese for that price?

We also ordered the Filone Potato (6,300) A  rosemary potato pizza which was was probably my favorite. You could taste the rosemary the second you bit into it, and the potatoes were perfectly cooked.

Our last slice was the Fresh mozzarella (6,300). This was great too. Topped with lettuce leaves drizzled in olive oil, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella.  It tasted so fresh and clean. The perfect slice for salad lovers.

In a fit of greed I also ordered a lasagne (13,000). Which was actually rather good, tasting just like it should. It had a good robust flavour and lots of lovely pasta. The way lasagne should be made. I love my own recipe but this one could satisfy any cravings you have. Much better than what you usually get served up in Korean style Italian restaurants. They also have a variety of salads, paninis and breads available.

The drinks are very cheap, a big draft beer cost a mere 3,000 and a glass of wine at 5,000. No wonder they are so busy. Its the perfect venue for a first date or casual meet between friends. Nice enough ambiance without being too formal. They even have their own Salami, Olives, Oil, balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese for sale!

Trevia is located at 557 Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The nearest bus stop is 03-152 it’s just by the restaurant. By Subway head to Noksapyeong station (line 6) and come out exit 2. Walk down the road till you get to the underpass and cross the road. Take the right hand exit and walk straight ahead. You can call them on 02-794-6003.

Ever since I found my recipe for this dough, pizza has been a regular dinner for us. I love these tasty pizzas and could eat them everyday. However I like a bit of variation and sometimes make a calzone instead. It’s pretty much the same thing, the pizza is just folded over. However I think it changes the dough a little and makes it into more of a kind of pasty which I love. The great thing about these babies is that you can fill them with whatever you want and take them to work as they are individually sealed. When I make up a big batch of dough, I usually use half for pizza and half for calzones. I used some of my coveted goats cheese in the filling of these and it was amazing, but pretty much anything goes. I even tried some with the pulled pork I made!

Ingredients

Dough

500g flour (I used the one for dumplings and noodles.)

2 teaspoons of salt

1 teaspoon of yeast (I used bobai brand that comes in 8g packages)

4 table spoons of olive oil

14oz ice-cold water

Stuffing

1/2 a kabocha squash (those dark green looking pumpkins)

2 tablespoons of tomato sauce

140g of goats cheese

A large handful of spinach

2 tabelspoons of toasted pine nuts

A knob of butter

Directions

Sift the flour, salt, and yeast into a bowl. Then using a table-spoon stir in the oil followed by the water bit by bit, you may find as I did that you don’t need it all, or you can always add more. Use the metal spoon to get right into the middle of the dough and mix it thoroughly. You know you have added enough water when the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl but still sticks to the bottom. If it is too dry add a few more drops of water, if it is too wet add more flour a little at a time until it’s the right consistency.

Once your dough is formed you need to work it for another 5-7 minutes using the metal spoon, this activates the gluten in the flour which makes it springy and elastic rather than a tacky lump. You can do this by putting the spoon into the dough and moving it around, you will find the dough stretches the more you do this. After this take the ball of dough and pull it and stretch it with your hands, I am sure you have seen Italian pizza chefs on TV doing it (I didn’t do it half as elaborately but you get the idea).

Now the dough is ready, form it into balls – I made 3 big ones. The recipe stated that you should leave the balls in the fridge over night before using, but I don’t think it’s hugely important. If you have thought ahead in advance or have a huge amount of restraint and willpower it does help the flavour of the dough develop, but it still tastes great if you use it straight away (the dough will keep in the fridge for up to four days). Roll your ball in flour then put a little olive oil on your hands and coat each ball before putting on a tray or plate. Put the plate in a zip lock bag or failing this cling film and store overnight.

To made the filling cut the squash in to quarters and take out the seeds. Drizzle the pieces with a little olive oil and bake in the oven for about 40 minutes or until they are soft. Next scoop out the flesh and cut into chunks. I don’t like to waste the skins so I usually sprinkles on a little cumin and roast them in the oven for another 10-20 minutes until they are crunchy for a tasty snack. Chop the spinach then saute in the butter for a minute or two until it has wilted. Add the tomato sauce, pine nuts and crumble in the goats cheese. Mix together with the squash chunks thoroughly.

Roll out the dough into circles. Top with a tablespoon of sauce then add a few spoonfuls of filling. Then brush the edge with egg yolk.

Fold the dough over to make a semi-circle. Then crimp the edges. Depending how skilled you are you can make them look very beautiful. Brush the whole thing with egg wash again then baked them in the oven for about 10-20 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.

Serve on their own or with more tomato sauce for dipping. Voilà easy tasty calzone.

Even in the humble 7-11 they sell a bounty of delights (including Bounties!) Here’s just a little summary of what I found/bought  in no particular order.  Malteasers, Malteasers chocolate rabbits, white chocolate Malteasers, Kinder Buenos (yes they have them here now too), white chocolate Kinder Bueno, Time Out, Picnics, Cadbury’s chocolate, Kettle Crisps, Ribena (yes I love Ribena) English magazines and Hienz baked beans. I’m sure there was plenty more I forgot but those were my majors.

Marks & Spencer!!! To truly appreciate Marks and Sparks I think you really do have to be British, its like a national institution who everyone shops at for something. However the highlight of this fabulous store apart from the old staples like pants and socks is their food. Just a browse around their well stocked aisles is enough to bring a smile to my face. In Hong Kong they have a store just for the food. I have already visited the Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai branches and had my hopes well and firmly up and luckily I was not disappointed. If I lived in Hong Kong I would go there every day, I’m considering relocating just for that reason alone! On my lovely and booze induced shop I gathered, salt and vinegar fat reduced crisps (you can eat twice as many), a samosa, goats cheese, cheese and chive dip, garlic onion dip and their very fabulous wasabi pea dip (I shall be making my own batch of this in the very near future). Giant chocolate buttons, M&S skips, and a coronation chicken sandwich.

Whist we were there my main focus was eating plenty of dim sum. There are several restaurants there which have gained Michelin stars for their dim sum and I was very keen to try them out. Our first stop was to try Tim Ho Wan . Famed for their crispy pork buns and long queues we arrived eager to sample their goodies. However when we arrived at 12pm we were informed that they wouldn’t be giving out any more tickets for the next seating until 4pm. I knew we would have to wait but 4 hours was insane. We decided to try another Michelin star dumpling restaurant not too far away. We arrived at One Dim Sum Chinese restaurant and were given a number and told to come back in 50 minutes by the lovely English speaking manager. He recommended we take a walk around the flower market nearby but we had already spotted a pub two doors down and sat in the sunshine drinking pints and cocktails (a concept which seems unreal today when my pipes have frozen and its -15 outside). We came back and were seated in minutes. We decided to try a variety of treats. Sweet and sour wantons, shrimp shumai, baked pork buns and the pork dumplings. Everything was fantastic and we left feeling full, happy and a little drunk. The whole meal was only 15,000 for the both of us and it was amazing.

Still keen to go to Tim Ho Wan we decided to try the other location at the IFC mall. On our way through the labyrinth of shops we spotted a huge group of people waiting outside of Crystal Jade.  Since visiting the branch in Myeong-dong which you can read my review for here, we actually found out how famous it was. We took our number and were told to come back in 30 minutes. We went down to visit Tim Ho Wan while we were waiting and once again found the queue to be immense. However someone told us that you can just get a takeaway and it will be ready in 15 minutes. We went back to crystal jade and  feasted on their amazing soup dumplings. I have to say they were slightly better in Hong Kong but only just and in Korea they were a lot cheaper and you got more so I would urge you to visit them ASAP. We also didn’t have to wait for a table there. We tried various dishes, some fried lo mien noodles,  sweet and sour chicken, and pork buns.

After that momentous meal we stopped by Tim Ho Wans and picked up an order of all their treats to go. I have to say the baked pork buns were awesome, especially considering how cheap they were but not in a million years would I queue up hours to eat there. Get your order to go and save yourself the trouble. The pork buns are not to be missed,  though sadly I forgot to take a picture but they were magical, soft and crispy and sprinkled with sugar. They were deliciously sweet and savoury all at the same time. I can also recommend the pork and cheese dumpling, soft, juicy and full of flavour. The turnip pancake should definitely be avoided though as it was rather strange for want of a better word. We had a giant bag of food of Michelin star cuisine all for 20,000. The cheapest Michelin starred food in the world! I guess it’s what keeps the punters coming back over and over again and the queue incredibly long.

My last restaurant was Aqua Tokyo Aqua Roma. We booked in for the champagne brunch after we failed to get in at the Intercontinental, however I was very glad it turned out this way. We got there at 12pm and didn’t leave until 4pm. It was spectacular, all the champagne, mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s you could drink (you know how I love a good Bloody Mary!). Then a mix of Italian and Japanese dishes brought to your table but everything was unlimited. Even the main courses, I think we mustered about 10 between the 4 of us plus 2 dessert plates, 7 plates of pasta, 2 anti pasto, a sushi plate  and a very large bowl of endamame beans. I don’t know where I managed to put it all especially with all that drink but it was gorging of the highest calibre with a spectacular view of Hong Kong harbour. I am shocked that this place wasn’t packed to the rafters with a waiting list. The meal cost 100,000 per person and considering the quality of food and drink I don’t now how they could have made a profit from us. It was one of the best meals I have ever eaten and I’ve been to some pretty fancy places in my time. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Hong Kong, it was far better than the Park Hyatt in Tokyo which cost the same but only came with one glass of champagne. Here’s just a few pictures of what we had. I would go every Sunday if we were lucky enough to live there and I shall now be hunting to find the Korean equivalent.

I have always loved focaccia bread, but never dreamed I would be capable of making bread as good as this. Until recently I always had a lot of problems making bread. I think my problem was just not using the right yeast and not kneading the bread enough. This recipe has been taken from the silver fox himself, Mr. Paul Hollywood. Master baker and judge of my current favourite TV show The Great British Bake Off! If you would like to see the man himself making it, with his glamorous assistant Mary Berry then you can watch this video on YouTube.

Ingredients

500g flour (I use the baksul one with bread on the front)

2 x 8g packets of yeast

2 teaspoons of salt

400ml of warm water

2 tablespoons of olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)

Topping

10-15 cherry tomatoes

4 cloves of garlic

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon of thyme

Directions

Mix the flour, salt, and yeast together in a bowl. Add the water in stages and mix thoroughly with the flour. The dough may seem as though it’s very wet but that’s how it should be. Once all the water is in, you can add the olive oil. Knead the dough for about five minutes until it has become stretchy and elastic. You can either do this on an oiled board or in your hands. Do not add any more flour to the mix. I prefer to knead it in my hands, pulling and stretching it until is is about right. Put the dough in an oiled container, drizzle with olive oil, cover with cling-film, and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

After the dough has risen it should look like this

Knock the dough back down and move the dough to a second oiled container and leave to rise once again for about 30 minutes. Make the dimples in the bread by using your finger or knuckle.

Place your topping in the dimples if you’re using one. Drizzle with more olive oil, dust with salt, and bake in the oven at 220 degrees Celsius for about 20 – 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the dough has baked through. You may wish to turn the dough around halfway through to produce a more even colour.

To make the topping, cut you garlic into slices and halve the cherry tomatoes, sprinkle with salt and herbs then drizzle with the oil and balsamic vinegar. Then roast in the oven for 10 minutes. If you have some fresh herbs I would recommend using them, sadly mine all died thanks to the cold winter air.

When the bread is done. Sprinkle with more salt and oil and enjoy. Voilà easy and amazing home-made focaccia bread!

I had been a fan of Between for quite some time now. When anyone asked me for a nice restaurant to go to, for something special I always said Between. I’m not sure whether it’s the elegant decor, the lovely food or the extensive cocktail list. Either way Between was one of my favourite restaurants in Seoul and I was really looking forward to reviewing it.

I have decided to make this review a two parter as I went for Brunch last Saturday and for dinner last Thursday (I told you it’s my favourite).

Last Saturday, in the mood for something a bit more upmarket, I ventured to Between with my best gal pal for a lovely lunch and some champagne cocktails. Their brunch menu has a good amount of lunch and breakfast items ranging from Eggs Benedict, omelets,  pancakes, salads, sandwiches, and pastas. There is certainly something there for everyone.

I ordered the omelet with sun-dried tomatoes, potatoes, and grilled vegetables (14,000). The omelet was not quite what I was expecting presentation wise, it was served like a slice a of beautiful savoury cake, with all of the flavourings inside rather than on the side. It was served with a nice side salad. Although more like a tortilla than an omelet, it was very tasty and the perfect amount for a brunch prior to an afternoon of day drinking. Carbs put me off my drinking game, so this was perfect for me.

I also ordered a Bloody Mary. As you have probably heard countless times before from me, brunch is not complete without a Bloody Mary. However at 15,000 this one was rather steep.  Although it was beautifully presented and was certainly fine, it lacked the amazing flavour I would expect it to have for that price. I can make a better one at home than this one.

I was getting rather stuck into the cocktails, a Kir Royal and a berry mojito swiftly followed. But sadly for my bank balance the cocktails at Between have really been pushed up in price. They used to all be about 10,000, or 12,000 for the special ones. Now they are all at least 14,000, ranging to 17,500, which can hit you hard when you drink as many as I do.

My dining companion opted for Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon for his lunch (17,000). Two poached eggs on chorizo mashed potato cakes, served with a side salad and hollandaise sauce. Although it was good, he said the hollandaise was just too buttery. It seems to be impossible to find a tangy hollandaise in Seoul. His egg white was also a little under done, a real faux pas in my brunching book but he was fine with it (I would have sent them back). However he was pleased that they were on top of the potato rather than bread, as he currently has a “wheat intolerance” (last month it was dairy).

We went for the dinner on a Thursday night and everything started off well. We had made a reservation as it was a special occasion and were rewarded with a free cookie for our trouble. We made our choices on the menu and waited for our food to arrive.

First up was the complimentary bread basket. It had a variety of different breads, although no-one told us what they were. They were nice enough, I do enjoy free bread.

We had decided to share a pasta dish as our starter, Fusilli Al Ragu Di Agnello 21,000. A fusilli pasta with lamb ragout, scented with orange and coriander. There were several I wanted to try but we decided upon the lamb ragu . It looked great as it arrived. I was eager to try it but the lamb seemed to be lacking in flavour  I could only taste the merest hint of orange and coriander and a slight flavour from the lamb. I felt I could have made a better dish than this at home, using the lamb mince I have in my freezer. We were slightly disappointed but still looked forward to the main course ahead. The portion was also rather on the small side, fine for us as a starter to share but it’s a main dish and for 21,000 I would expect more.

No sooner was our empty plate taken away, our main dishes had arrived. We had both put our used cutlery in the empty dish but they fished it back out and gave it to us for our main dish. Niall’s was quite dirty so I really think they should have changed it. Not a huge deal, but a noticeable mistake none the less. Especially in a place that is presenting itself as fine dining.

I had ordered the Il Maiale 32,000. Slow cooked pork belly and back rib with polenta, ginger confiture and red wine sauce.  It looked spectacular on the plate however the taste failed to match the appearance.  I cut into the large piece of pork with some difficulty. A well cooked piece of belly pork should slice like butter, especially through the fat at least. I was also greeted with several bones at the bottom of the meat, which I would personally expect to have been removed. The belly pork was okay and did have some flavour but it wasn’t anything to write home about. It was just lacking . I ate belly pork for a Thanksgiving dinner and it blew this stuff out of the water even though it was just a piece of frozen meat cooked by a friend. I soldiered on and the ribs were fine. The polenta was as bland as could be, absolutely no taste whatsoever, the red cabbage too. The red wine jus was a small drizzle on the plate and I had to ask for more to disguise the tasteless accompaniments. I really wanted to send this dish back to the kitchen and ask for something else but wasn’t sure if tasteless would qualify as a good enough reason. I had really been looking forward to this dinner and I just felt let down.

Niall ordered the Agnello 41,000. A slow cooked lamb shoulder chop served with feta cheese, anchovy butter and mint sauce 41,000. He fared better than I did. He had what I thought was a generous helping of lamb chops and his potato accompaniment had more flavour than my polenta. However it did not match the steak and lamb we had enjoyed at Between 9 months ago.

Overall I left Between feeling disappointed.  We had had some amazing food there in the past and they clearly can’t seem to replicate the quality any longer. The flair of design in the food is still there but the taste has gone. It’s all style and no substance. The prices have gone up whilst the quality has gone down. Maybe it was a bad day or too many changes in the kitchen but I would urge Between to get back to their former glory. I would still probably go to Between again for drinks or lunch as it is a nice spot. But it will no longer be my go to restaurant for special occasions. There are too many restaurants in this city to pay 128,000 for dinner and feel let down.

Between is located in Itaewon at 124-7 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-200 . Take a train to Itaewon Station (Line 6) and come out of exit 2 and walk straight  away from the Hamilton Hotel for about 150 meters its just on your left. If you would like to make a reservation you can call them on 02-795-6164 or visit their webpage for more details.