It’s Saturday and it’s time to get the party started. Although summer is pretty much at an end season wise, it’s actually the ideal time time to get outside. Plus with the sun beating down in the late 20s it sure as hell feels like summer, thus the summer sangria was born. I am usually a red sangria drinker myself, but was in the mood for something blanco this time. I’ve been drinking it for 5 days straight over Chuseok so it must be pretty damn good, that or I’m just not that fussy when drunk. The lovely people at Berentzen  sent me over a bottle of their apple liquor as thanks for creating a few cocktails with the blackcurrant one. There’s only one thing I love more than booze and that’s free booze, so I used it to jazz up this classic drink. It really hits the spot and goes down a storm. Add any fruit you like, I just used what I had. Happy drinking!

Ingredients

1 bottle of Prosecco (or and sweet sparkling white wine)

100mls of Berentzen apple

300mls of Sprite

1 orange

A handful of blueberries

A handful of strawberries

Ice to serve

Directions

1. Slice your orange and add the fruit to your jug.

2. Add the Berentzen and Prosecco.

3. Top up with ice and Sprite and give it a good old stir. Drink and enjoy. Repeat steps 2-3 until you run out of wine or you fall over. For me it’s generally falling over, I’d never be foolish enough to let myself run out of wine!

Last weekend I enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at Dominic. A large, sleek, and smart restaurant located in Itaewon. With the dark wooden floors, exposed walls and chrome finishings, this restaurant exudes effortless cool chic. With a wall protecting it from the main road there is an element of privacy at Dominic that’s just perfect for those wanting to enjoy a romantic evening out. There is a long bar where you can enjoy an after work aperitif , and a big wooden table where you can enjoy a more private  meal with a large group of friends. There is also a huge basement downstairs which can be rented out for private functions, such as parties and wedding receptions.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner every night of the week. The menu is an eclectic mix of modern American favourites. Sharing is a common theme at Dominic, with many of the dishes designed for two or three. Some of the most popular meals include the New York Strip Steak, Dirty Mac & Cheese, California Cobb salad, and the NY Pizza Hoagie.

We decided to try the Calafornia Cobb salad (20,000). A Fresh and delicious start to the meal, this salad was delightful. Huge in size, this could easily be shared between 4 smaller people, or as lunch for two. Fresh and tasty, the zingy vinaigrette was laced with capers making it all the more moreish. Liberally topped with pamesan, chicken breast, egg, cranberries and bacon.  I love to start a meal with a salad, as I feel it doesn’t impede my gorging later in the meal, which fried foods are want to do. Bring back the salad starter I say.

On to the main course. There was no way I was turning down the New York Strip Steak (38,000 for 200g). We ordered the steak rare and were not disappointed. It was cooked to absolute perfection. Seared on the grill, then servd in the sizzling pan. This is my favourite way to cook steak. It was a magnificent piece of meat, and well worth its price tag. You really can’t beat a good steak

For a side dish we ordered the Cream Spinach on Butter Bread (12,000). The whole meal was fantastic but it was this dish that made me fall in love. Sauteed spinach in a cream cheese sauce, topped with bacon and covering a delightful pillow of grilled butter brioche bread.  It’s hard to tell from the picture but they dish was monstrous and I devoured it without restraint. Had I not ordered a second one to take home, I would have licked the bowl clean. It was just so so yummy. I insist you all order one.

The Leek Fries (9,000) were presented beautifully in a cast iron pan on top of grease proof paper, I do so enjoy the rustic look. Well seasoned and topped with deep fried shredded leeks. They are a must for french fry fanatics.

I was once again stuffed to the gills by the time the desert course present itself, however I still couldn’t resist the Tiramisu (6,000). It was the perfect way to round up the meal. Rich and creamy, with the slightly boozy coffee soaked sponge at the bottom. You’d be mad to not at least share one. Though I’m not sure I did much sharing on my part. It was more like 90/10.

As well as the fabulous food they also have a well priced wine list and an excellent selection of modern and classic cocktails. Half price happy hour is  from 6pm – 8pm every night of the week. Even on Friday and Saturdays and knowing me as well as you do I obviously took full advantage of it. The Fat Girl favourites are the French Kiss and Lime mojitos!

Dominic is located at 683-133 hanam-dong, yongsan-gu, Seoul. to get there take a train to Hangangjin Station (line6) Come out of exit 3 and walk straight for about 200 meters. It’s located next to the Kolon Series Multi Shop and just across from Woori bank. For more information you can call them on 02-790-7588.

After going for a walk around Namsan park last Sunday, I stumbled across this place. Yes I went for a walk on Sunday morning, it’s shocking I know but I had to get out of the house. It was the end of the 5 days vacation and I had spent the entire day before dying of a hangover and gorging on junk food and if I hadn’t gotten out of the house I would have gone stir crazy. A Sunday morning walk would never usually be my cup of tea so please don’t judge me.

Anyhow we stumbled across Chunk of Cheese, usually I wouldn’t be caught dead on that hill. Not because I’m too cool for school, just that I generally tend to try and avoid hills. Chunk of cheese is, shockingly, a cheese shop. With over 80 different varieties of cheese they have a huge selection which rivals that of Shinsegae and the foreign food mart. Including some rather good English Cheddars.

I’m not sure it’s worth an out and out trip if you live miles away, but if you live around this neck of the woods it will save you going to Itaewon. It will also worth a peek if you are in the area for dinner. They have lots of anti pasti style things too like salami, olives, wine etc. So if you’re hosting a fancy dinner party or wine and cheese evening then this would be the place to go. Sadly I can’t afford to host wine and cheese parties, but I’d certainly like to. I hold out of date hummus and vodka cocktail nights instead. I’m sure they will catch on any day now.

If you want to visit them personally Chunk of Cheese is located at 31-1 Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu. Or you can call them on 02-795-3079 if you want to inquire about a particular cheese. They are also on Y-not Takeout. So if you live locally, you can have your cheese delivered direct to your door, isn’t that amazing!

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.

Last week I was invited to try the newest French restaurant to hit Itaewon. P’tit Paris is a small and cute little restaurant which specializes in crepes! J’adore crepes and all things French, so I was super excited to try them out. There is a lovely large bar in the front and seating for about 10 in the cozy restaurant at the back. The menu is in French and Korean, but the lovely Uni is there to explain everything if you need any help.

We started off with a glass of their freshly squeezed orange juice (6,000). It was so tasty, I finished mine in minutes. My dining companion remarked that it was a little warm, so maybe a few ice-cubes wouldn’t go amiss. But not too many as we really wouldn’t want to take the space of that wonderful juice.

Our first crepe to try was the Galette Champignons (12,000). I think we all know how much I love mushrooms, but mushrooms in a creamy cheese sauce wrapped up in a crepe is perfection. This was so tasty and comforting I will certainly be back to have another one. If we didn’t have more dishes coming I really would have had another one, it was just perfect.

Our sec0nd crepe was the Galette Complete (12,000). Inside were mushrooms, ham, and cheese and it was topped with an egg. This was made in the very traditional way so the the egg wasn’t cooked 100% right through. I’m personally fine with having raw egg, but for those who don’t perhaps you can ask them to cook it more. The crepe again was nice and cheese and ham is always a winning combination. Although the mushrooms were not cooked in this one, I would have loved them to have been fried in butter first.

Next up was Prosciutto salad (15,000). My assistant Victoria was starting to get a bit full by the time the salad showed up, but I really picked up the slack and ate the part of her share that she couldn’t manage. There was something so rich and creamy about this salad. Chunks of mozzarella, strips of prosciutto and lots of grated parmesan. It really was good and went perfectly with the crepes.

Finally we tried their special cinnamon apple filling crepe (15,000). This was lovely too. Just like an apple pie with a crepe instead of pie crust. It was so tasty we didn’t leave a bite. If there was a scoop of ice-cream on the top it would be heavenly. They also have a variety of other dessert crepes on the menu including Nutella!

As well as the sweet and savoys crepes and galettes , there are salads and various other accompaniment dishes on the menu. There is also plenty of booze including wine, beers, and cocktails!  With Pancake Day on the way soon (March 4th) it’s the perfect place to try if you can’t or won’t make your own.

P’tit Paris is located at 57-19 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. To get there, take a train to Itaewon station (Line6) and walk out of exit 1. Walk straight all the way down to the end of the road and walk up the hill. P’tit Paris is located in the small alleyway opposite Starbucks. For more information call 070-4243-3302 or check out their facebook page.

Last week I learned it’s not always wise to judge a first impression. I was invited to go back and try Mi Casa again after the owner read my last review. Since my visit over a year ago, the chef has changed and the menu revamped. With Spanish chef Manuel at the helm, the manager assured me that things have improved greatly since my last visit and I would not leave disappointed.

The menu is chocked full of all the classic Spanish dishes. As well as all the tapas you could ask for they also have a burgeoning selection of wine and cocktails. I had to, of course, start with a sangria (13,000).

After the complementary bread and aioli. The first dish we tried was the Gambas al ajillo (19,000) King prawns fried in olive oil and garlic. They arrived on a plate that was sizzling! The king prawns were plump and juicy and the garlic was well cooked without being overpowering. A nice start to the meal.

Next up was the Patatas Bravas (15,000). This was the dish that I had the most problems with last time. Patatas Bravas is simple and classic dish and any Spanish restaurant worth it’s salt should get this right. However the first time I was presented with potato chips and a dipping sauce. However all my fears were washed away when this fabulous plate was put in front of us. It was exceptional. In fact this was the best patatas bravas I have ever eaten. Every element was perfect. The potatoes were crisp on the outside and soft and full of flavour in the middle. The tomato and white sauces were delicious. We devoured this plate in about a minute. It was so good I would have licked the plate clean. And if we didn’t have a paella coming I would have ordered another.

We also had to have a try of the Calamari Frito (18,000). Deep fried baby squid with saffron. The calamari rings and tentacles were lightly seasoned and crisp. There were also a few pieces which were battered that we really enjoyed. The citrus oil that accompanied them was nice, but we would have preferred some more of their amazing aioli.

Berenjenas Relleras (18,000) Eggplants filled with meat, tomatoes and cheese.  I love egg plant so this dish just popped right off the menu. The the meat balls inside were good, the egg plant was juicy and the sauce delicious.

If you are anything like me, you can’t go to a Spanish restaurant without trying the paella. At Mi Casa they have a variety of different types but we ordered the Arroz Del Monte (39,000) Saffron chicken, chorizo and pork paella. This was a meat feast of a dish filled to the brim with thick slices of choirizo, plump pieces of pork, and chunks of juicy chicken thighs

As you can see we really enjoyed it.

Things have definitely changed for the better since my last visit and I left a very happy customer. The prices may seem expensive to some  but the quality of the dishes demands it. Mi Casa is the perfect mid-range priced restaurant thats perfect for a date or a special evening with friends. The atmosphere is elegant and classy and they have a fab lounge upstairs for you to drink the night away in.

Mi Casa is located in the alleyway behind the Hamilton Hotel right opposite, My Thai China (see my review here) 119-21 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea. Call them on 02-790-0063 or check out their facebook page.

As soon as you approach Un Deux Trois and see the little tables outside with people enjoying a glass of wine and a cigarette, it’s like being transported from Itaewon to Paris in an instant. As you walk through the doors, it just oozes the chic elegance of a French eatery. The long bar begs you to come, sit, and enjoy a cocktail, and the tables by the window invite you  to have a bowl of mussels and a glass of wine. While the booths at the back offer the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two. French cuisine is unrivalled in the field of excellence and for good reason. This brasserie offers up a plethora of French classics at extremely reasonable prices for food that is fresh, tasty, and well executed without pretension.

Our first dish to try was the escargots (16,000). Snails are one of those dishes that scare people off. But in a beautiful garlic sauce they are nothing to fear. These were such a surprise as they were so different to what we had imagined. Encased in a bread-like pastry, we had to cut it open to get the big reveal. A similar texture to mussels, they were sweet and tasty. A great start to the meal.

I couldn’t resist ordering the moules frites. These are the house speciality at Un Deux Trois. I went for the classic au vin blanc (20,000)  but they offered a few other varieties too, including my favourite in a thai green style sauce. These were absolute perfection. I make mussels regularly at home when they are in season but they really aren’t a patch on these.  A giant bowl of mussels, these could easily serve two as an appetiser. The creamy sauce was such simplicity itself, it was not hard to drink it like a soup at the end, long after the mussels were gone. The french fries were also perfection, crisp and perfectly cooked.

As my main I had to try the steak and frites (30,000). So many times in cuisine a steak and chips can be seen as a dish for those with an unrefined palate. Not in the French brasserie however where it’s one of the most popular dishes. A perfectly cooked piece of steak, chargrilled on the outside, medium rare in the middle. A choice of three sauces is offered and I went for the bearnaise. Served  with little gem lettuce and rocket leaves, my favourite two salads, I was very happy.

My better half went for Un Deux Trois’ take on the  classic duck a l’orange, Marget De Canard (32,000). It was exquisite. The plate was like piece of art. The pommes a la dauphinoise, were cooked perfectly. The duck breast was medium, but the fat was crispy. A small tower of mushrooms on the side was fantastic. There were little pieces of baby oranges and olive around the side. Not a morsel was left on  the plate by the end. Well balanced, it complemented itself well.

After the copious amounts of cream and butter I really didn’t think that I could manage a dessert, but all that changed once I saw the menu and they had profiteroles (12,000). Nothing in life can make me drool like a profiterole. These were delightful. Filled with vanilla ice-cream, they had a a slightly more robust texture, cream, and chocolate sauce. A perfect way to end the meal.

On to the drinks, you know as well as I do that a good cocktail list can be hard to find, in a restaurant with great food. But here they took a list of classics and made them their own. I’m not a huge wine drinker myself so that’s why I enjoy a cocktail or 3 when I’m out drinking. A glass of  rose sparkling wine that comes under the 15 dollar price bracket is always such a nice start to the evening without breaking the bank. The San Tropez cocktail I tried in particular was exceptional.

Too many restaurants in Korea offer style with no substance and it is here that the face is changing. There is no where else in this price bracket that I have been to where you could get the same quality of food for the price, before you would be venturing into fine dining or haute cuisine. A steak at the Outback steak house will set you back more than 35,000 won and its not a patch on this one. A bowl of mussels and a glass of wine also under 30,000 for those who enjoy their food but on a budget. A fine meal for two would cost between 100,000-200,000 depending how much you drink and how many courses you try. Heading up the wait staff is  a French maitre-d who wears an Hermes belt, what’s more French than that?

Un Deux Trois Brasserie is located at 123-33, Itaewon dong, Seoul. To get there take a train to Itaewon station (line 6) and walk out of exit 2. Walk straight ahead for about 100 meters and you will see Un Deux Trois Brasserie on your left. They serve food from 11am-2am (Monday – Saturday) & 10am, – 12am on Sundays. Call 02-796-1244 or check out their facebook page for more details.

First I will be serving up my cucumber infused gin fresh and tasty it’s served with tonic in cute little cocktail bags for a mere 5,000 each.

Also on the menu is mulled wine, it’s going to be cold out there, so this is just the boozy treat to warm you up on this cold hallows eve 5,000.

Lastly I will be serving that British favourite Pimms! Full of fruity flavour and served in a cocktail to go bag for just 8,000. The only place in Seoul serving Pimms tonight!

So stop by before your Halloween parties tonight, starting at 5pm, I’ll be serving drinks until we are sold out.

Casablanca is located in Hae Bang Chon at 44-8  Yongsandong 2 -ga, Seoul, Korea. Take a train to Noksapyeong station (line 6). Walk straight out of exit 2 for about 200 meters and take the first left and walk straight along the road with all the kimchi pots. Casablanca is on the left a few doors up from Phillies. You can also call them on 02-797-8367 or check out their facebook page.

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.