Behind the Hamilton and tucked away to the right of Saint Ex is La Plancha. La Plancha is high end Spanish steak restaurant that has been around for many years. I've heard about this place for ages yet I had not gone. Now, I don't know why, but maybe it had to do with the fact that each time I have gone to a western style steak restaurant, I simply have not been satisfied.
Over at Yuhwa (near the Hyatt Hotel) the steak I got was a disk of dried meat with a overly syrupy mango sauce. Outback is just god awful, VIPS, or Seven Springs- don't even get me started. The one I had at Mignon, which is near Zelen (right up the hill from La Plancha) was quite possibly the only other steak place I would recommend. Their tenderloin was cooked well and of excellent quality- but a bit over priced at around 38,000 (excluding tax).
I went to La Plancha with my Irish friend Gary who is a musician that studied how to build microchips. Now he just travels the world. In about 3 weeks he's just going to pack his bag and head to Cambodia.
We ordered the T-bone and it came with a side, a sauce, and a skewer of grilled vegetables. This came to 35,000 excluding tax. Now, I had been told that the platters for two are actually quite good at this restaurant but...you know, guys can't share a steak. It just doesn't work.
The steak was large around, but a bit thin in thickness. It was well seasoned. I asked for it to be medium, but I think I should have asked for medium rare because it was a bit dry by the end. I know it's not the restaurant's fault here, because once the meat gets to the table the residual heat will keep cooking the meat. So...a steak will come to the table medium and it'll end up medium-well by the end of the meal.
I got a bleu cheese sauce for my steak and it was quite nice. It had nice hints of bleu cheese and didn't over power the meat. Gary got the balsamic and it was a tart accent to the grilled cow.
The skewers were great as well. But, hey, I'm a sucker for grilled vegetables.
The interior has a Spanish Matador feel. The red makes you crave meat. When it gets to the table, there is a nice selection of knives you can use to carve away at it.
Overall, a very nice place for a special occassion.
Dan
***
3 out of 4
La Plancha 02 790 0063
Interesting review. Walked by the place 100 times at least but never considered going in.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not the best steak dinner (excluding the ones I cook) I've had in Korea was in the revolving restuarant at the top of Seoul Tower. I just wanted to take my gal somewhere different for her b-day. Came for the view and was pleasantly surprised by the food and service. Pricey, but that was expected.
hmm sounds good
ReplyDeletewow look at that salad. yesterday, i was saying i want some bread and a mean salad. there aren't even the bad salads at mcdonald's.
i tried this all you can eat brazilian steak place in gangnam that was pretty good. would tell you the name if i knew. lol
Their platters are not bad, but the paella is very much inferior to Mi Madre (Just down the road near Noksapyeong Station). Great atmosphere, but not perfect.
ReplyDeleteAs for must love movies, if you want a mean salad you should head down to Star Chef near Maebong station. Their mushroom salad is incredible!
John, the tower is quite good. Top Cloud is awesome as well.
ReplyDeleteMust love movies, I recommend Mignon which is right up the hill from La Plancha. The salads are big and crisp. Their Nicoise is really a Nicoise. Besides Mignon, On the Border has great salads as well. They are big and they have interesting dressings.
Paul, I totally agree. Star Chef has amazing food and their salads stand on their own. It's the mercedes benz of salads.
hey
ReplyDeletethanks for the suggestions. i appreciate it. i will check them out the next time i am in seoul.
A Brazilian BBQ place in Gangnam is CEIA, though I think there is another as well.
ReplyDeleteI think that they overcook their meat, but, hey, we are in the land of well-done. Otherwise, I loved it. Pure meat-tastic :)
There's another Brazilian-style steakhouse in Gangnam simply called 'Brazilia,' which has a few different kinds of decent steaks (and some really tasty sides). All you can eat for only 25,000.
ReplyDeleteThere's also Carne Station in Gangnam, but I've never been. What is it about steak and Gangnam?
Finally, add Sizzler to the list of Western steakhouse chains committing atrocities against steak.
I like La Plancha. The second floor is nice, more of a lounge/restaurant vibe than a dining room. Windows the open out.
ReplyDeleteNice service each time I've been there, too. Western service style.
If I go to La Plancha with a guy, I get the lamb. If I go with my girlfriend, we get the 2-person set.
Like your blog. Thanks.
Wow , Looks so delicious.
ReplyDelete