Chef Ciarian Hickey over at the W-Hotel is one of the last foreign head chefs in Seoul. He has had his position for almost 5 years because he is constantly innovating. Over his tenure he has made the W-hotel 'The Hip' venue for Seoulites in Seoul. His champagne brunch is top notch and so are the meals over at Kitchen. Chef Hickey also came up with the  humongous X-burger (which I haven't had a chance to try.)  I have had his other burger and that is pretty darn tasty. These days over at the W-Hotel, they have a BYOB promotion. BYOB is bring your own bottle night. You can bring your own bottle of wine and have it with the menu the W-hotel will prepare. This is a great idea and something I am looking forward to going to again. Now you can pick your own bottle and share it with others without having to pay Hotel prices for wine. Plus the food is darn tasty. The dinner per person is only 100,000 won and with the luxury of bringing your own bottle, I'm totally there. ...

Taste Makers at Liquid Namu Chef Ciaran Hickey of the W-Hotel told me about this exciting event at their bar Liquid at their premium restaurant. They'll be having a tasting of fine French wines and pairing them with AOC French cheeses. A night with fine wines and fine cheeses? It sounds like a perfect evening.  The cost is only 70,000 won a person and it is on Wednesday (tomorrow night) from 8pm to 10am. You can reserve at Namu : 02-2022-0222 or email at namu.wseoul@whotels.com

Seoul's W-Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in Seoul. The great thing about the restaurant is how modern and contemporary it is. It doesn't have a stodgy, "old money" feel- instead it feels hip and cool. The open kitchen in the restaurant, "Kitchen" let's you see the chefs at work. Here are my friends Jia and Anna. They are two foodies that know good food. On this night, Chef Ciarian Hickey prepared his contemporary Korean menu. Here is his Yukhwae (Korean beef tartare topped with a quail egg and pear). The meat was so tender it simply evaporated on the tongue. Here is his truffle mandu stuffed with foie gras. I love the taste of truffles. The scent of truffles burrows deep into my subconscious and meanders around. Truffles have a taste that is deep and earthy. I know that it's supposed to be luxurious, but I think the taste is primordial. Here is the chef. He explained all the dishes and told us why the W wanted to do a contemporary Kor...

The fries were thin and crisp like McDonalds, but actually tasted like potato. The Burger patty was oh-my-god amazing. The oatmeal and pumpkin seeds on the bun were scrumptious. Worth every penny (or if you are in Korea wonny). 25,000 at the W-Hotel in Seoul.

pork Originally uploaded by roboppy Or Pork Lollipop from the W-Hotel in Seoul. Photo by Robyn Lee.