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The Westin Chosun Seoul has reopened upscale Japanese restaurant Sushi Cho on the 20th floor after completing massive renovation.
/ Courtesy of The Westin Chosun Seoul |
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
The Westin Chosun Seoul has reopened Sushi Cho, a popular upscale Japanese restaurant on the 20th floor, after months of preparation and renovation. The reopening is part of a major project by the hotel (with almost 100 years of history) to add a sense of modernity.
Last summer, the hotel completed renovations and opened three new restaurants in its lower lobby. It was one of its largest-scale renovations since opening in 1914 as the first Western-style hotel in the nation.
``The underlying concept in the series of massive renovations is to keep our traditional image and at the same time add modernity to the hotel,'' Jese Kim, executive assistant manager of F&B of the hotel, said. ``The reopening of Sushi Cho is in line with this vision. We want to keep the restaurant's tradition of not only authenticity of taste and quality service but also add stylish designs and contemporary flavors.''
Sushi Cho aims to present a new standard of Japanese dining, with traditional sushi artistry prepared by master sushi chefs and contemporary ``kaiseki,'' or formal Japanese cuisine, in an elegant and timeless decor, Kim said.
The restaurant first opened in 1985 at the lower lobby but has been relocated to the 20th floor (to offer a better view of the city) with a seating capacity of 97 people in the main hall, private dining rooms and a sushi counter.
Italian designer Guido Stefanoni, who designed Gramercy Kitchen and BoonTheShop, joined the project to help give it a modern and sophisticated interior and Japanese restaurant and design consultant Marcia Iwatate worked on the menus, styling and service.
But the biggest change was news the hotel has signed a contract to collaborate with Ginza Sushi Kyubey, one of Japan's finest sushi restaurants.
Ginza Sushi Kyubey has been recognized by the esteemed Michelin Guide and Zagat Survey and frequented by key Japanese figures and Hollywood celebrities.
Ginza Sushi Kyubey's chef Matsumoto Mizuho leads the sushi counter with associates at Sushi Cho who were trained at Ginza Sushi Kyubey to acquire sushi-preparation skills. Fresh fish are also flown in daily from Japan to serve the finest sushi.
An eight-meter long sushi counter was built by traditional Japanese carpenters using a 350 year-old solid slab of Japanese Kiso Hinoki wood, which is well known for serving raw fish. The cutting boards and fish storage cases were also made from the wood.
Apart from the fabulous sushi artistry, 13 kinds of unique sake, only available at Sushi Cho, are on hand with selection-making assisted by four kikizakeshi, or sake sommeliers.
Prices for the course menu are 30,000 for breakfast, 65,000 for lunch and 120,000 for dinner. Opening hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for breakfast, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner.
For more information, call (02) 317-0373.
e3dward@koreatimes.co.kr
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한국과 일본 국가부도위험 비슷해졌다
