See and be seen at Between
By Agnes Yu
Any recent visitor to Itaewon probably noticed the large patios and spacious interior of Between, the hip restaurant celebrating its first anniversary with a variety of champagne specials and set menus.
Aiming to be an ideal all-around venue, Between has become popular for its casual brunch specials, afternoon coffee breaks, fine dining evening appointments and relaxing late night drinks.
“People from all over the world and Korea visit Itaewon everyday and so there’s a true variety in tasting palates,” Keith Brett, vice president of Between, said in an email. “Between has always tried to be authentic and dynamic in its food, atmosphere and music, mixing them together to create a truly cosmopolitan feel in Seoul.’
Combining marble, steel and wood, the modern and elegant interior was featured in a shoot for the Korean edition of Vogue magazine in November 2010.
Such decor makes Between a top spot in the district. Last December, it hosted a high-profile New Year’s Eve party with some 700 revelers enjoying an eclectic array of music different in the separate sections that divide the restaurant.
Upon entering, the left side of Between remains non-smoking until 10 p.m. Fresh-made desserts adorn the large marble-top coffee bar that is the focus of this section called the “Gate.”
The right side of Between is themed “Urban Myth” and is the main dining area which also has the cocktail bar offering an extensive wine list and drinks menu. A side entrance leads to a separate, discreet patio.
A set of stairs leads to the “Metropolitan” section. Allowing customers to peer down from the wrap-around terrace, it is ideal for private dinner parties, wedding receptions, or executive events.
On the third floor, the “Attic” offers an exclusive feel, with secret access to further outdoor seating.
This entire ambience stirs the appetite. “The current menu took a lot of tasting, testing and negotiation to create. The dishes were created as seasonal classics to complement the coming summer, using fresh and unique tastes,” Brett said.
“I love our spaghetti ‘norma’ eggplant and tomato sauce done to perfection with baked ricotta cheese, but when I want something a little different, our salmon in a crust of bread is hard to beat,’’ he added.
Such creativity is characteristic of Between’s Chef Pietro Androsini, who compares his craft “to how a jazz musician approaches a performance.”
The restaurant has been acclaimed in such publications as design magazine Wallpaper, which listed it 13th in their 20 reasons to visit, saying it ``boasts an expansive terrace, a parlor-like retreat; and a small top-floor crow’s nest offering sweeping views of the main strip.’’
For added ambiance, Between features top local and international DJs mixing music in the evenings to provide the perfect soundtrack to accompany a perfectly mixed drink.
For more information call 02-795-6164.