Spring Asparagus in Peak Form at Hotels
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
One of the best ways to enjoy a new season is to have seasonal dishes. Asparagus is one of the perfect choices for spring.
Asparagus brings not only the freshness of the new season to the table but also vigor to your health. It is low in calories and sodium without any fat and cholesterol but contains other nutrients such as folic acid, potassium and dietary fiber.
The shoots of asparagus are prepared and served in a number of ways around the world. Restaurants at local hotels now hold various events to offer asparagus dishes using their own recipes.
The Millennium Seoul Hilton is holding an asparagus promotion in April and May.
Its French restaurant, Seasons, features a seasonal selection of white and green asparagus dishes, both on the a la carte menu and on a special tasting menu.
``You can have dishes of asparagus all year round,'' Park Hyo-nam, executive chef of the hotel, said. ``But if you want to enjoy the best quality and taste, it is the best time now.''
The chef recommends German Riesling wines to diners, saying they are an ideal accompaniment to asparagus dishes.
From April 4 to 12, the restaurant also has a visiting chef from Germany who will bring his expertise on asparagus and Riesling.
For more information, call (02) 317-3060.
The Renaissance Hotel's Italian restaurant, Toscana, will also host an asparagus promotion until the end of the month.
Titled ``Bassano White Asparagus Promotion,'' the event will offer top cuisine from the Bassano region of Italy created by the restaurant's new Italian chef, Sergio Zanetti.
``We created the promotion to offer true Italian flavor to Koreans during a perfect season for asparagus,'' Zanetti said. ``Through this promotion, we introduce various white asparagus dishes unfamiliar to Koreans while also promoting Italian cuisines, which are famous in Italy.''
Bassano White Asparagus is sweeter and more flavorful than standard green asparagus, making it a good compliment to rice, soup, pasta and salad dishes.
The prices for a la carte dishes range from 23,000 won to 139,000 won. The set menu including a glass of wine is 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2222-8626.
The Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort is holding a ``Green Asparagus Promotion'' at its buffet restaurant Breeze through April 30.
It will offer various asparagus dishes from soup to main dishes, such as grilled asparagus with hollandaise, cream of asparagus and spaghetti asparagus. The dishes will be priced from 6,000 won to 28,000 won.
For more information, call (055) 860-0100.