Neighborhood: Garosugil #3

On Friday, Felicia and I met at Garosugil to celebrate my second removal of my braces. We had dinner at Allo Papergarden and went to Deux Cremes for dessert. I've come to associate cake whenever I see her, so I feel disappointed if I don't eat some type of pastry after a meal. I've had my gripes about Garosugil, but I've really grown to love it. Aside from hosting the world's best hairdresser (Sung-hee at Jacques Dessanges) and one of my favorite shops in Seoul (Caramel), it's a great place to people-watch. And you will see all sorts of people. For instance, Felicia and I had the delight of sitting next to a couple who thought their table at Deux Cremes was located in a love motel. (This is scandalous for a relatively conservative country. You will never see a couple kissing in public here. I witnessed an old man nearly have a heart attack when he witnessed a couple making out.)

Dinner notes: Allo Papergarden is one of the more popular destinations here. Located on Serosugil (a backstreet), it's a store-cum-restaurant/cafe that serves Italian basics like pasta, risotto, sandwiches, etc. Not pictured are our dishes: I had the seafood risotto which was super luxurious and relatively well done, while Felicia had some pasta dish that was creamy so I didn't partake.

Dessert notes: Deux Cremes is poppin'. Get there early or be prepared to wait - for possibly long amounts of time. Despite its exterior, the space is insanely small for its traffic. The tarts are pretty decent, but can someone tell me why every pie/tart has a rock hard crust in Seoul?!?! Deux Cremes would be an embarrassing place to go on a first date; I'd spent more time stabbing the pastry with my fork than paying attention to anything else.

How to get there: for Allo Papergarden - coming from Sinsa Stn. (신사역 #8출구), walk down Garosugil and take a left at the street before Nescafe, then take the first right. Walk straight and Allo Papergarden will be on your left. Deux Cremes is located on the main street (Garosugil), near the Kate Spade store.




I love the interior at Allo Papergarden.

Neighborhood: Apgujeong #2

Hidden away on one of the many back streets of Apgujeong-dong is a bistro/lounge called Abbey Road. Felicia and I were initially attracted by its London Metro logo and promised to check it out the next time we were in the area. The walkway inside is quite long, and I felt unsure of whether or not this was indeed a restaurant. The building looks like it could be an art gallery, which I later discovered, kinda is. Serving up pasta, pizza, and sandwiches, it's not the ideal place for a full dinner. They boast an extensive drink list and serve one of the best apple martinis I've ever tasted (as seen in photo with Felicia).

On the way to the bathroom, I spotted some type of exhibit and snapped a photo. The work made sense when the waiter handed me a CD containing a music compilation plus an explanation guide for the art work they're hosting. All works were done by Hongik University's Textile Art and Fashion Design's students and graduates.

Food was okay, a little heavy on the olive oil. Go there to get drunk. If you don't like smoking beware, there's no nonsmoking sections. Also, it tends to be dead during traditional dinner hours on the weekdays; we went on Thursday at around 6:30pm, and we were the only people there. Then again, the weather was crap that day.

How to get there: Apgujung station (압구정역) exit #2, walk straight for around 10 minutes. Pass the large intersection with the S-Oil gas station (성수대교 사거리), turn right at the KB bank. Pass the Starbucks on your right. Abbey Road will be on your right, near the Princess Hotel. Look for the London metro sign.

Hours: 5pm-3am
Tel.: 02-546-9505






Spicy pepper pasta

Bacon aioli pasta

Apple martini

falling and laughing at the drinks we spilled

March begins tomorrow.

I've been relatively busy. Finished reading The Beautiful and Damned and The Imperfectionists. I'm leaving for a short trip to Hong Kong on Saturday, starting computer classes after I get back, and getting my braces off (again). In the meantime, I've been eating and eating and eating. Okay, I've been doing other stuff, but this is all I've got in my Lumix.


The P.532 sandwich at P.532 (Garosugil).
Take a left at the Starbuck's and you'll find P.532 on the left.



Really amazing samgyubsal (삼겹살) with lots of veggies.
How to get there: Shin-nonhyeon (신논현역), exit #2. Pass Take Urban on left, take a left at first street. Walk straight for ~3-4 min. and you'll see a ton of ppl lining up on the left. Go through sliding plastic door and take a number.


Tomato and mozzarella sandwich at Picnic.
How to get there: Dangsan Station (당산역), exit #1. Take bus #1, get off at 2nd stop in front of Ehwa Mokdong Hospital (이대목동병원), cross the street. It's next to the Morning Glory.


Fantastic spicy noodle soup in Myeongdong. It's the Chinese restaurant at the end of the street where MMMG Cafe is located.


Curry special at Tea Therapy. See directions here.

Neighborhood: Apgujeong #1

My hospital is located in Apgujeong-dong, which can be labeled as one of two things: Korea's "Manhattan" or plastic surgery area. Every single block features at least one plastic surgery hospital. Walking down the street is surreal because you'll see all these people wearing face masks to cover up their swollen faces. Sometimes, the American in me wants to flip out and run because face masks = SARS. But in between all the hospitals, there are a fair number of excellent restaurants in this area.

I spotted Tea Therapy before I went in for my surgery, but hadn't had a chance to try it until today. It's located near Ho-San Hospital (호산병원) for those who are going to cab it. In addition to the cafe that serves tea, snacks, & lunch, they also have a tea therapist on call who creates a tea specially for you and your medical needs for 30,000 won. They also have something called hydration therapy, where you can soak your feet in tea. I think it's free if you order tea, but I didn't try it this time as I was wearing tights.





When you arrive, they hand you a paper with a flow chart. You're supposed to answer the questions accordingly to determine what tea you should get. The first question asks if you're overweight.



I got the tea that's supposed to help with colds. It was slightly minty, and I think the large chunks are dates.




Their lunch menu is seasonal, so I ordered the taco rice. I was skeptical as to how it would taste, but it was really delicious. I'm considering making this on my own.




How to get there: Get off at Apgujeong Station (Line #3) and take exit #2. Walk behind the exit, so that Olive Young & Pix Dix is on your right. Walk straight for approximately 5-7 minutes until you see Piccolo Eo. Make a right. Ho-san Hospital should be on your right, next to Piccolo Eo. Take the right into the alley next to the hospital. Go straight for approximately 100 meters. Tea Therapy will be on your right.