mary eats

Above
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 1
Phone Number: 02-749-0717
Hours: 11:00a.m. -2:00a.m
Price $$ Pastas 15,000won and up, Entrees 18,000won and up
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Sexy lounge lizard
Overview:
If you have eaten at Above and would like to write a review, click here.
Above reviewed in the JoongAng Daily.

Arvorig
Seoul, Korea
Address: 123-1 Itaewon Dong, Yongsan gu, Seoul
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 2, take the first left. The restauran is on your left.
Phone Number 02-749-8826
Hours: 11:00a.m. -10:00p.m
Price $$
Atmosphere: homey, outdoor seating
Cuisine: crepes
Overview:
French crepes and cider from Itaewon’s most prolific restaurant group, Spire.

Arvorig reviewed by me in the Korea Times on September 24, 2006 here.

Chef Meili’s
Address: 128-15, 1st floor, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, line 6, exit 4, in the alley behind Geckos garden. Phone: 02 797 3820
Hours:11:00a.m.-9:00p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11:00a.m-11:00p.m Friday and Saturday
Price: $~$$$
English Menu: Yes, and spoken
Atmosphere: Intimate
Overview:
Find Eastern European mains and hefty deli sandwiches find a home in Seoul’ expat neighborhood. Cheeses, meats, and sausages too!

Chef Meili’s, reviewed in the JoondAng Daily by Andrew Salmon November 11, 2006, here.

Cozy Corner
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 1
Phone Number: 02-795-0995
Hours: 11:00a.m. -3:00p.m., and 5:00p.m. -11:00 (Sun-Thur) –12:00a.m. (Fri-Sat)
Price $$ Pastas 13,000won and up, Mains 30,000won
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Intimate, cozy, romantic chic
Overview:
If you have eaten at Cozy Corner and would like to write a review, click here.

Geckos Garden
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 1.
Phone Number: 02-790-0540, www.geckosterrace.com
Hours: 10:00a.m. -2a.m.
Price: $$ Tapas from 4,000 won, Entrees average 20,000won
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Garden Terrace, outdoor seating
Overview:
Winter or summer, you will find a sizeable mélange of folks at Geckos Garden. A smart patio covered with café tables and planters flowing with foliage give diners a secluded place to relax over wine and tapas. Geckos presents a limited menu with distinctly different lunch and dinner offerings. Lunchtime sees an array of over the top salads artfully presented. Traditional bistro fare is offered at dinner. The salmon continually proves to be a winner. Geckos Garden is famous for it’s tapas and summer weekend BBQ bites, reservations are recommended as this place fills up fast.

La Pancha
Address: 119-21 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu Seoul
Subway: Itaewon station exit 1.
Phone Number: 02-749-8826, www.laplancha.co.kr/
Hours: 5p.m.-Midnight, last order at 10:30p.m (Sun-Thur) 11:00p.m. (Fri-Sat). (Everyday) Brunch noon-3p.m. (Sat-sun)
Price: $$ Combo platters 28,000won and up
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Private room, late night, patio seating, hip, modern
Cuisine: Spanish Grill
Overview:
At La Plancha meals are deconstructed, but not in a Jose Andres way. Putting the diner in control, assembling your meal down to the last detail. Eat as big or as adventurously as your appetite and pocket book will allow. La Plancha is undeniably hip. Pinks mesh with dark wood and black leather to cerate a simultaneously modern but warm establishment. Though a tad crowded or, “a little cramped, very get to know your neighbors,” as a friend commented, La Plancha is comfortable. Select a meat, a sauce, and a side, (fries are so tasty you’ll want two), but if that proves too complicated, sets are prearranged for you. Fish and seafood are available for non-meaties.

Ye’Hawon
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station exit 2.
Phone Number 02-798-4752
Hours: 12:00a.m.-10:00p.m. Closed Sundays
Price $$
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Romantic chic
Overview:
A quaint French country inspired interior draws both Koreans and Expats alike in for weekend lunches. Salads, Pastas, Pizzas, and Pork and Chicken entrees are classically Parisian bistro in presentation and style. Soups are light, creamy, and smooth, no Campbell’s chunky potato here. A roasted vegetable salad proved a generous serving of both greens and vegetables. The service is Ye Hawon is emerging. It is evident that the servers have been reminded many times to emulate the service of fine establishments, but doesn’t always come across. “Can you give me your order now?” our server barked.