8 Steps
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Tucked well north of any subway stop, the closest is Anguk station, line 3 exit 2. Have a cab take you to Samcheon-dong. 8 Steps will be on your right.
Phone:02-783-5838
Hours: 12:00p.m.-2:30p.m. Lunch and Dinner 6:00p.m.-10:30p.m.
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Smart Casual, Romantic
Overview:
In the increasingly popular Samcheon-dong, 8 steps occupies a restored hanok, traditional Korean house. Meals start out well, deliciously baked bread presented with a dish of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and oven roasted garlic. Prices are steep; a lunch set will run around 30,000won. If on someone else’s tab I’d gladly go back for the breaded chicken atop a nest of spaghetti dressed in a lemon cream sauce. Entrees are exquisitely prepared, as if to say, “I went to France and graduated from a prestigious culinary arts academy,” which is nice. It would be nicer, however to serve the freshest of fish, especially if charging 30,000won for a fillet pan seared and dredged in sesame seeds.

Gaeho Heon
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Anguk Station, line 3, exit 2. Walk straight and turn left at the intersection, the restaurant will be on the right.
Phone: 02-747-1592
Hours: 12:00pm-11:00p.m daily.
Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Smart Casual, Elegant
Overview:
From the folks that brought you Wood and Brick, comes Gaeho Heon, a finer dining experience in Seoul’s traditional arts center. If you can’t stomach the high prices, visit the cafe on the first floor. After 5pm, prices are slashed, and a 3,500 won chicken panini is quite a treat.

Gaeho Heon, reviewed in the JoongAng Daily by Andrew Salmon, August 23, 2006

O’Kims
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Euljiro Station, line 2, exit 8. Make a left after AvenueL. The Westin Chosun will be on your right.
Phone: 02-317-0388
Hours: 11:30a.m-1:00a.m, closed Sunday
Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Business casual
Overview:
Let me start by saying that O’Kim’s is not cheap; in fact at times it isn’t even reasonable. Get ready for the sticker shock - Guinness is KRW15,000. The basement location (no windows) is covered in green marble and deep green walls. Accented with dark wood, vintage sports and beer paraphernalia, and classy brass, O’Kim’s more comforting than campy. A classic fish and chips arrives on newsprint accompanied by homemade tarter sauce. Other tantalizing offerings include pecan encrusted crab cakes, Irish stew, bangers and mash, and Shepard’s pie. Great for expense accounts, but with high VAT and hotel taxes, rough on the common man’s wallet.

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