Chez Simon in Samcheongdong, Seoul Back before Samcheongdong became the date hotspot, the street was famous for restaurants. These days the trend seems to be on turn and burn establishments and too, too many cafes. My favorite bouillabaisse went defunct and became another cafe. Just when I thought all was lost, I happened to find Chez Simon. For years they have been turning out great homemade cuisine in a 20 seat, reservation-only restaurant. Chez Simon's menu changes regularly depending on local ingredients that are available. The secret to the restaurant's success is the ability of the chef to transform these ingredients into works of art. Each plate is adorned with mini fireworks of flavor. The crispy ravioli first course was served over tomato and bean sauce, accented with oregano. The potato foam soup was frothy like a perfect cappuccino. The pasta was cooked al dente and the anchovy, mushroom sauce was just right. My steak was cooked medium rare- the outside crispy a...

Red Wine at Chez Simon in Seoul, Korea Friday Night, I went back to one of my favorite French Restaurants in Seoul, Chez Simon. It was a good experience. The waitstaff was nice, the atmosphere was comfortable, and the food...well, familiar. It was good, but it was the same meal that I had at my previous visit (about 2 months ago). Plus, since it was prefixed, we couldn't change it, I felt a bit disappointed. Chez Simon, was famous for having changing menus that utilized local, seasonal ingredients. There were some elements of this: fresh oysters topped with pear, peppers, and lemon and pumpkin soup whipped into a foam. The steak was just as it was before: cooked perfectly and with a minor flourish: a thin stalk of asparagus wrapped with bacon. The pasta was nice with the oyster mushrooms and roasted cloves of garlic, but...it didn't blow me away. The creme brulee, was excellent as before as well with its specks of vanilla, but it was what I had before. I wish the chef ...

Chez Simon is still good but don't expect much change from the past. If you are looking for a decent coursed meal that stays true to form then visit Chez Simon. The Creme Brûlée is still top notch and so is the steak. The pictures can be found on my Instagram page . Follow me there for Seoul Food tips. http://instagram.com/seouleats/ Here is a past review: http://www.seouleats.com/2010/10/chez-simon-french-cuisine-done-right/ And another: http://www.seouleats.com/2010/11/chez-simon-redux/ Back before Samcheongdong became the date hotspot, the street was famous for restaurants. These days the trend seems to be on turn and burn establishments and too, too many cafes. My favorite bouillabaisse went defunct and became another cafe. Just when I thought all was lost, I happened to find Chez Simon. For years they have been turning out great homemade cuisine in a 20 seat, reservation-only restaurant. Chez Simon’s menu changes regularly depending on local ingredients that are available. The...

Here are some of my past reviews on the restaurant: http://www.seouleats.com/2010/10/chez-simon-french-cuisine-done-right.html http://www.seouleats.com/2010/11/chez-simon-redux.html You can see more of my video food adventures at  http://www.youtube.com/user/delawheresdan Chez Simon Address: Seoul, Jongro-gu Samcheong-dong 63-10 Phone: 02-730-1045 Reservations recommended. Directions: Go out Anguk Station exit 1 and make the first right and walk about 10 minutes until you get to Samcheongdong. Walk on the elevated walkway and you’ll see it up on a hill. Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http://www.ongofood.com Pictures are taken either with my Panasonic DMC-G2 Camera with 20mm Lens or with my iPhone 4G

This will be published in the March issue of Eloquence Magazine. Gostiny Dvor There is a prominent Russian population in Seoul, and you have been wondering where they eat. Once you walk out Dongdaemun Stadium Exit 7, you’ll be transported to little Russia. Gostiny Dvor has exotic dishes like Pelmeni (lamb mandu), Soyanka (a warm, piquant sausage soup), and Selyodka pod shuboj (a layered dish with beets, potatoes, smoked fish and cheese.) Delicious. #2275 7501. Chez Simon Samcheongdong has the right to be a little pretentious. It is the place where the rich and elite live and they should know good food, right? Chez Simon is up and at the a little alley, on the raised terraces of houses in the center of Samcheongdon. It has a set menu for lunch and dinner. It’s chef’s choice, and it’s reservations only. This French trained chef will not disappoint. http://blog.naver.com/chezsimon #130 1045. Tomatillos It’s like a Chipotle Mexican Grill that has been transported to Seoul. This kinetic Mex...

Letters to Seoul Eats I love letters and these days, I'm getting quite a few because of the upcoming G20 Summit. Here's a recent one. They are looking for star chefs. Any recommendations? Here's the letter: Dear Daniel, I hope you are well. As F--- mentioned I’ll be in Seoul this Thursday and Friday. I’d like to find a great food neighbourhood where a great chef is causing a stir and that has a great selection of food shops - delis, markets, wine-shops, patisseries, cafes or similar. Would you have any chefs and undiscovered foodie neighbourhoods in the city to recommend? Any tips are most welcome! Many thanks, Liv Read what I recommended after the jump

McDonald's Quarter Pounder at the Itaewon McDonalds It has been a foodie's weekend. After this weekend, I have to do a lot of exercise, because I went way over my recommended caloric intake for about a week. Friday was dinner at Chez Simon: Fresh Oyster, Pumpkin Soup, Mushroom Pasta, Steak, Creme Brulee, with red wine and espresso Saturday: Early Morning Fish Market Tour so I had flounder sashimi at 9am. Then I ran back to the cooking studio to help with the Warmth: Vegetarian Thanksgiving organized by Jessica and Ryan. Great event. The menu was: Salad, Sweet Potato Latkes with persimmon chutney, Pumpkin Risotto, and gingersnap cookies. That evening I had makgeolli and tofu and kimchi with a friend. Sunday : For breakfast I had kimchi chiggae sans rice. Lunch, as part of a story to find the best steak in Seoul (any recommendations?) I went to Sam Ryan's for a Ribeye Steak and to try their "Tour" breakfast with a New York Strip. Sam Ryan has good steak and ...