mi piace

By Yoon Sung-won

White asparagus with poached egg / Korea Times photo by Yoon Sung-won

Cheongdam-dong in southern Seoul is one of the highest-rent districts in Korea. The neighborhood is better known for luxury brand boutiques and galleries, and restaurants come and go here because of the high rents — they are unable to survive for long unless they have enough regular customers.

An Italian restaurant, mi piace, opened in 2003 in Cheongdam-dong and marks its 10th anniversary this year. Its longevity proves it’s one of the most favored Italian restaurants in Seoul.

“Simple but savory dishes are the culinary hallmarks of mi piace,” Kim Hye-young, the owner of mi piace said. “I believe good food always derives from the right combination of fresh ingredients and the chef’s sincerity.”

Kim opened the place to realize her dream of running a tidy and cozy restaurant, and named it “mi piace,” an Italian expression that means “I like it.” She started learning culinary arts at small cooking classes run by foreign ladies living in Seoul and continued studying at Ecole Ritz Escoffier, a time-honored culinary school in Paris, in 1998.

Reflecting the owner’s desire to make the venue cozy, the atmosphere of the interior is, by and large, snug and comfortable. A variety of flowers in baskets decorate the entrance. The first floor has a casual touch while the second floor is decorated more classily and formally. There are three private rooms on the second floor, which customers can book for family gatherings and business meetings.

The best choices in the restaurant are its various appetizers including foie-gras, gratin, ratatouille, caprese and carpaccio. “White asparagus with poached egg,” one of the appetizers for this spring and summer, caught both eyes and tongue. White asparagus, poached egg and oyster mushrooms are well-seasoned with a sauce made of clam stock, white wine and whipped cream, as well as truffle oil. The dish, priced at 32,000 won ($29) fulfills its purpose as an appetizer.

Pastas including spaghetti, risotto and lasagna are also served. “Spaghetti with shrimp, anchovy, and treviso” provided the delicious flavor of olive oil. Treviso, a kind of vegetable similar to chicory, tastes slightly bitter, yet delicately harmonizes with the richness of olive oil. The portion was large enough for a male adult.

Prices of a la carte menus including appetizers and pastas vary from about 20,000 won to 50,000 won. For main dishes that consist of meat and fish, one portion of Spanish Iberico pork steak is 42,000 won and the famous 1-kilo Fiorentina-style T-bone steak is 190,000 won.

For lunch, there are two courses — a pasta course (33,000 won) and a steak course (40,000 won). The nine-course dinner includes both pasta and steak, and is served for 88,000 won. Special orders for special occasions or preferences are available as well, provided that customers reserve in advance.

Various spirits of wines, imported from countries like France, Italy, and Spain, are available. Prices vary from about 60,000 won to over 300,000 won. An additional 35,000 won is charged for corkage. Diners are allowed to bring a maximum of two bottles of wine.

Though the restaurant is spacious with 16 tables and three additional private rooms, reservations are necessary on weekdays and weekends at least three days in advance.

Spaghetti with shrimp, anchovy, and treviso

Table setting at mi piace