By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
As the weather gets sunnier and the verdant green deepens, Samcheongdong, Seoul, dotted with multifarious cafes, restaurants and galleries, gets more crowded.
Among many restaurants, the three-story European-style bistro called ``Jigum Yeogi’’ located on a quiet alley in front of the prime minister’s official residence attracts your attention with its wide glass doors which allows you to see through to its chic interior. The name of the restaurant ``Jigum, Yeogi’’ is translated as ``Now Here’’ in English, reflecting its owner Jeong Hyeon-ok’s hope that the bistro can offer its visitors irreplaceable times and memories. Jeong had run a Korean food restaurant for three years before opening this bistro three months ago.
Once you are in, you will find yourself at home with its cozy atmosphere and the variety of pastries which are made by two bakers who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, the world’s leading culinary school. Black tea mousse cake, walnut pies and lemon tarts have emerged as the most popular choices on the bakery menu. The deep and delicate fragrance of the tea is the highlight of the black tea mousse cake.
On rainy days, looking at rain drops falling against large glass doors with a cup of coffee in your hand will likely plunge you into a nostalgic mood.
Other than pastries, the bistro’s menu offers a variety of dishes including grilled pannini sandwiches, salads, snacks, teas, champagnes, sparkling wines and sangria. Sandwiches filled with grilled eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes and brie, and German sparkling wine Henkel Troken Dry Sec make a great couple among many. Healthy organic wheat breads are served along with appetizers for set menus, improving your appetite. East meets West when you have German grilled pork schnitzel in Thai sauce invented by the owner. Having it with a cool beer up on the rooftop terrace in the open air is surely a great way to enjoy your evening.