Here is an article I wrote on Ola! Mario for Arirang Magazine. Enjoy, and Happy New Year! Dan Ola! Mario By Daniel Gray Do me a favor and don’t recommend this restaurant to anyone. The service is sophisticated, the atmosphere is chic, the menu is creative, and the food-the food-is scrumptious. So whatever you do, please, please do not recommend this restaurant. Just don’t do it. I want to keep it all mine. Ola! Mario is located between the Rocky Mountain Tavern and the Cheil Building on the developing end of Itaewon. I must admit. It’s bright red exterior and the name Ola! Mario initially made me write this off as another faux Italian Restaurant on Itaewon’s main drag. Italian cuisine in Itaewon has long been the territory of the Sortino Family. In recent years, many restaurants have tried to piggyback off of their success. Volpia and La Tavola both had respectable runs, but they went out of business and were quickly replaced by Antonio’s and Villa Sortino. So, does Itaewon need anothe...

This restaurant has closed I was a little hesitant to go to Ola! Mario because the name suggests fake Italian. Plus the red just makes me think Super Mario Brothers. I am happy to admit that the red facade is a sham for the wonders beneath it. The interior is beautiful. It's dark but stylishly dark. It is the perfect place for a date. The service is very upscale and pleasant. The concierge, Mi-gyeong was very helpful and her English was great. I went through my usual drill through the menu to see how well they know it and all. My brave friend Kelly of Seoulstyle and I decided to break from the norm. We did dessert first and it was a brilliant way to start our meal. The desserts were luscious and precocious. I mean where else can you get Ginseng ice cream topped with candied wings. The ginseng wasn't over powering and it the worked...sorta. I mean the icecream was more a icemilk. I did enjoy the flavor. The cheesecake was a dream. I mean it was so light and fl...

Hey everyone, one of my friends started up a magazine and he is hosting an event on Lunar New Year. It's going to be on Sunday the 25th and I am planning on going. You know how I feel about the food at Ola! Mario. If not, go here http://www.seouleats.com/search?q=ola So, who would like to join me? I'm going to preorder my tickets. Let me know know if you are going to be there too. Here is the facebook group event listing. http://www.new.facebook.co m/home.php#/event.php?eid= 43103772569&ref=share Dan Hi 10 Magazine Group! If you are stuck in Korea this Lunar New Year, we've got a treat for you! 10 Magazine and Glenlivet are sponsoring a Lunar New Year's Eve party at Ola Mario restaurant in Itaewon. Unlimited Glenlivet Single-malt Scotch and Glenlivet cocktails along with appetizers served all night long, DJs and an incredible atmosphere - all for only W40,000 - normally! But for 10 Magazine Group Members who sign up this week tickets are available for just W30,000!!...

Decent steaks outside of Suji in Bundang. There is a lake that has many restaurants surrounding it. We went there for my friend's birthday. There are two Olas there: Ola and Ola 2. The steaks were not top grade, but there was a lot of it. The mash potatoes and the bread that came with it were awesome. The wine was a 1998 Chateau Lassegue, and it was a soft bodied velvety wine with hints of tart strawberry and currants. It was quite outstanding and not an awful deal at 70,000 a bottle. Dan

Bulletin Board Beer O’Clock has reopened in Sincheon. We have Canadian style Donair, pizza, and lots of beer. It is Canadian owned and friendly to all. Go to www.beeroclock.ca/ Zenkimchi has a new dining section. Check out restaurant reviews with full maps at http://www.zenkimchi.com/dining" Tartine in Itaewon is now serving Romanian peasant style bread. We also have chocolate, coconut, and lemon meringue pies on the weekends. 02-3785-3400 Hey all, I just wanted to let you all know to check out all the seriouseats posts on South Korea at "http://www.roboppy.net/food/2009/05/bucketloads-of-snapshots-from-south-korea.html" 2 for 1 Fish and Chips nights are back at the Wolfhound on Tuesday Nights. www.wolfhoundpub.com Anyone know where I can get ricotta cheese in Seoul? lonography@hotmail.com Ola! Mario in Itaewon has a new Chef Mariosole. It is most authentic Italian food that you will find in Seoul. 02-793-9003 You can download the Korea episode of Bizarre Foods with An...

Valentine’s Day Restaurants in Seoul With Valentine’s Day coming up I decided to forgo a restaurant review for the month and instead I wanted to give you a comprehensive list of recommended places that you should take your date. Guys, picking the right restaurant for Valentine’s Day is very important to your romantic wellbeing. And during this time, you should make a reservation. If you don’t have a place to take your beau on this day it is the equivalent of forgetting a special anniversary or birthday. You don’t want to be that guy. It is not enough to just pick the right restaurant. The café or bar is just as important. And girls, it is the millennium. You are more than welcome to make reservations and give hints on the places you would like to go. If you would like, you can have the magazine opened to this article and just strategically circle the restaurants, bars, cafes, you would like to go. A heart or a star should be a good hint. The restaurants on this list have ...