mary eats

Le St. Ex
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 1.
Phone Number: 02-795-2465, www.lesaintex.com
Hours: 12:00p.m. -3:00p.m. And 6:00p.m. -Midnight, last order at 9:30 Everyday. Brunch 11a.m.-3p.m. (Sat-Sun)
Price: $$ Warm Goat Cheese salad 11,000 won, lunch sets 15,000 won, daily specials 23,000won and up
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Outdoor/patio seating
Cuisine: French
Overview:
I can’t put my finger on what makes Le St. Ex special, but there is something about the place that whisks you away to Europe when you walk into the door. No detail has been overlooked in creating this neighborhood bistro, from the café curtains hung midway up the windows, to the half carafe wines offered, you can truly escape Seoul if just for a lunch hour. Le St. Ex offers a small menu with salads, terrines, and soup. The specials change daily and have included everything from duck to lamb. The baked goat cheese salad is divine as is the roasted mushroom soup with quail eggs. French onion soup is done right here, and no one can stop talking about the roasted rabbit. Desserts are sinful; a dark chocolate cake provides the perfect ending to the perfect meal.

La Cigale Montmarte
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 1.
Phone Number: 02-796-1244
Hours: 12p.m.-1a.m, last order at 10:30.
Price: $$ Mussels start at 12,000 won and up, entrees 15,000 and up.
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Good for special occasions, outdoor seating
Overview:
This sidewalk café is infamous for mussels and features over 20 appetizers and entrees centered on them. Ranging from the traditional, mussels baked with garlic, white wine, breadcrumbs and parsley, to the exotic, a la Thailandaise with coconut, coriander, and lemon grass. If you are not fond for these deep-sea delicacies, Le Cigale features a nightly special with everything from fish to steak to duck breast. The wine list is heavily French influenced, but also includes wines from Spain and Chile. In addition to wine, Le Cigale features beers and classic bar drinks. The fashionable 1920-40 European art deco feel lends a glamorous hand to the Itaewon strip. The patio accommodates everyone from English teachers to business folk all looking to sit back and watch the always-colorful parade of Itaewon pass by.

Le Petite France
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station exit 2.
Phone Number 02-790-3040
Hours: 12:00p.m-2:30p.m. and 5:30p.m.-10:30p.m. everyday
Price $$ Lunch sets from 25,000won
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Intimate, good for special occasions
Overview:
This small 8 top serves up classic French cuisine in an elegant and romantic setting. The rounded window at the front perfectly frames the candle lit restaurant. Passerby’s slow down and peer in as they stroll by. Crooning away over the stereo, a French Tom Jones tries his best to get everyone in the mood. The menu is limited, only a couple of entrée selections and a handful of appetizers, but the food is wonderful and the service impeccable. White tablecloths, china serving wear, and antique candlesticks are the little attention to detail that assist in creating an elegant package. The wine list, as expected is French heavy, but a couple bargains from the USA and Chile make for excellent companions to any meal. Crème brulee and Crepe Suzette seductively finish off the evening.

The Paris Grill
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Hanganjin station exit 1. Taxi to the Hyatt Hotel
Phone Number: 02-799-8161, seoul.grand.hyatt.com
Hours: 12:00p.m. -2:30p.m., and6:00p.m.-10:00p.m. (Mon-Sat) Brunch 10:30-2:30 (Sundays and Holidays)
Price: $$$, 35,000won lunch buffet, Dinner set menus 72,000won
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Good for special occasions,
Cuisine: International
Overview:
The Paris Grill is Itaewon’s answer to luxury. Housed in the beautiful Hyatt hotel, Paris Grill delivers top quality gourmet food and stunning views of Southern Seoul. The lunch buffet is most affordable, and the Sunday brunch is an institution unto itself. Paris Grill boasts continental European cuisine, and true to their words, appetizers, entrees, and desserts find influence from countries across the European continent. Past offerings have include tabbouleh, smoked salmon platter, prawn cocktail, free from lasagna, tiramisu, and crème brulee. Menus change weekly and monthly, call ahead for inquiries and reservations.