Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Premium wines available at the best prices

By Kim Rahn Wine has become an important element in dining in Korea. People want to know more about wine, try various kinds and purchase quality wines, at affordable prices if possible. Good news for wine fans ― some hotels hosting dining events feature wine from a special vineyard or wine fairs so guests can sample a selection of good wines and purchase their favorites directly from importers. At the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s French restaurant, Seasons, today guests can enjoy varietals from Clos Du Val winery which was founded in 1970 in the Stag Leaps District of Napa Valley. Created with the mission to produce Bordeaux-style wines, Clos Du Val has received great accolades from Old World oenophiles. The seven-course dinner will feature executive chef Park Hyo-nam’s finest creations as well as a perfectly paired wine list that will include 2007 Clos Du Val Pinot Noir Reserve and 2008 Clos Du Val Chardonnay Reserve. Wines are usually chosen to accompany specially-designed dishes to bring out the flavor of the food. For this special dinner, however, the spotlight is o

Apr 19, 2012

Book cafes entice readers

By Do Je-hae The most striking feature of the Hongdae district in Seoul is the prevalence of bars, making it a typical young university student neighborhood. But the area is not just about clubs and indie music. Home to a top art university, the area is also known for its flea markets, restaurants and quirky cafes. The latest trend in the Hongdae cafe scene is the emergence of book cafes, a place where you can go to read while enjoying drinks, desserts and light snacks. The unique aspect about some of these book cafes in Hongdae is that they are run by major publishers as a new way to reach out to readers and boost sales. One of the easiest to locate is Cafe Comma, established along “Parking Street” a few minutes’ walk from Sangsu Station on subway line No. 6. Munhakdongne Publishing opened the cafe in March 2011 and even though it’s relatively new compared to other such establishments, it is one of the most famous, thanks to its huge volume of books. The cafe occupies two floors and has more than 3,000 books stacked to the ceiling. Because of its unique li

Apr 19, 2012By Do Je-hae

Jell toasts 20th anniversary

One of Korea’s oldest wine shops flourishes By Kwaak Je-yup To the longtime expatriates of Seoul, the name “Jell” means something special. Starting as a mix between a delicatessen and a wine cellar, Jell is remembered by some from two decades ago as the only place to get a real Haagen-Daaz ice cream bar back then. Nestled on Gyeongnidan Street, central Seoul, since 1992 — long before the area became trendy — the self-proclaimed “first ever expert wine shop in Korea” is celebrating its 20th-year milestone with refreshing humility. “We know we need to evolve, and we are doing that,” says Joseph Park, director and wine consultant. “We are not content with the success we’ve had so far. We are changing to consumer needs and want to have more new customers to our shop.” The general perception in the country is that interest in wine seems to be rising but this is still a myth: Korea has one of the lowest consumption rates of wine per capita in the world, even below Tonga, the island nation in the Pacific. The highly-segmented market industry continues to li

Apr 13, 2012

Best Pizzas in Seoul

By Kwaak Je-yup There was a time when getting a decent pizza — Italian or American — in Seoul was impossible. Not anymore. Here are the top 10 pizzerias this side of Naples, whose menus were tested and tasted over the last few months. Pizzeria D’Buzza D’Buzza is the brainchild of Lee Il-joo, 28, and partners, who came out of nowhere to make the capital’s hottest pizzeria. On any given day, patrons should expect a lengthy wait in front of the door thanks to its just-as-lengthy list of offerings. A medical student based in Canada, Lee was taking a brief stop in Italy to go on to Albania for a social services mission when he stumbled upon the boot-shaped nation’s famous culinary culture. He dropped everything and decided to pursue cooking. “I want pizza culture to be shared by as many people as possible,” says Lee. Buzza is the Italianized Korean term for rich or a rich man. “I wanted to pick something simple and catchy, like the name of a real estate agency. But it also reflects the quality of our flavor and our ingredients: they are rich.” 743-3

Apr 12, 2012

Finnair offers new destinations in summer

By Lee Hyo-sik Finnair, Finland’s flagship carrier began offering flights services between Incheon and Helsinki from 2008. This summer a new schedule offers flights to new destinations. The airline said it will start year-round flights to a new Asian destination, Chongqing in China, beginning from May 9. The new direct flight to Chongqing operates four times per week through the year. Finnair is the first airline to operate non-stop flights between Europe and the Chinese city. Since April 2, the airliner has also been operating flights between Helsinki and Dubrovnik, Croatia, which will continue through the end of summer. The company said flights to Tokyo and Barcelona from Helsinki will increase to 10 times and nine times a week in the summer. Flights to Budapest and Prague will also operated twice daily over the summer. Finnair has introduced an anti-jetlag headset for its passengers as part of efforts to upgrade customer services. The airliner said it began supplying the headset to customers on April 1, the first aviation firm to do so in the world. `` In

Apr 12, 2012By Lee Hyo-sik

Hotel Lobby

Grand Hyatt Seoul J.J. Mahoney’s at The Grand Hyatt Seoul will celebrate the arrival of spring with a cherry blossom party on April 20 and 21. From 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., J.J.’s will be enveloped with pastel-colored walls to create the vibrancy of a blossoming spring flower garden. The evenings will include events such as a best dance contest, live performances by the house band Xpress and guest DJs, lucky draws, free coffee and many more surprise treats. The entrance fee is 35,000 won including a welcome drink and for JJ Ladies and Dine@Hyatt members, 25,000 won. For more information, call 02-799-8601.

Apr 12, 2012By Kim Rahn

JW Marriott Seoul sets exemplary standards

General manager Richard Saul pledges friendly but professional service By Kim Rahn JW Marriott Seoul is a great example of what the international hotel brand Marriott seeks to achieve, said the hotel’s General Manager Richard Saul. Saul, who took charge of the hotel in January, highly recognized the combined benefits of the convenient location, modern facilities and impeccable service. “This hotel is one of the best located hotels you want to possibly have, with the subway stations below, three lines intersecting, as well as Shinsegae Department Store and the other areas. It’s such a good location and such a strong business,” the general manger said. The hotel is linked to the Express Bus Terminal subway station and a leisure complex called Central City in southern Seoul. The 48-year-old said JW Marriott Seoul is one of Marriott’s most important hotels in Asia and what makes it unique is the whole package that provides any tourist, business traveler or guest with the best factors to experience Seoul. “It is a very sophisticated example, so when Marriott is talking

Apr 12, 2012By Kim Rahn

Philippines offers tourism info at travel marts

The Philippines, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, will take part in a series of travel fairs here to promote its golf courses and other leisure facilities as part of efforts to attract over 1 million Korean visitors this year. The Korean office of the Philippines Department of Tourism said it will set up exhibition booths at the 10th Daegu-Gyeongbuk International Travel Mart to provide a wealth of tourism-related information on the Southeast Asian nation. The fair, which will begin today and last through next Monday, will be held at the Daegu EXCO. Additionally, the Philippine tourism office will participate in the 34th Overseas Studies Fair to be held at the COEX, southern Seoul, on April 7 and 8 to offer Korean students information they need to study and live in the Philippines. ``To spread awareness of the Philippines’ various attractions and to attract 1 million visitors from Korea, we will participate in both the Daegu travel mart and the COEX overseas studies fair,’’ a spokeswoman said. ``Through these events, we will introduce the Philippines’ tr

Apr 5, 2012By Lee Hyo-sik

Korean Air sponsors world conservation congress

By Lee Hyo-sik Korean Air, the country’s largest flagship carrier, will sponsor the 2012 World Conservation Congress to be held on Jeju Island in September as part of its efforts to improve its image as an environment-friendly aviation firm. At the headquarters of the Korean Organizing Committee for 2012 World Conservation Congress, Woo Kee-hong, senior vice president of Korean Air’s passenger business division, signed a sponsorship agreement with Kim Jong-chun, the secretary general of the organizing committee, Tuesday. Under the accord, the airliner will offer foreign nationals taking part in the meeting to be held on Jeju Island in September, airplane tickets at discounted prices. Those flying economy-class will be given a 15-percent discount, while prestige-class passengers will pay 10 percent less for their seats. Additionally, Korean Air will promote the largest international gathering ever hosted by the country’s southern resort island of Jeju, through its in-flight magazine SkyNews, website and other media tools. ``We are glad to be sponsoring a meaningful glo

Apr 5, 2012By Lee Hyo-sik

Hotel Lobby

JW Marriott Seoul Until Easter Sunday on April 8, the JW Marriott Seoul is running a competition to guess the number of eggs inside a super-sized glass bowl set up at Cafe@JW. Guests are welcome to enter the draw to win prizes including accommodation in a suite and a Gold Card dining membership. On Sunday, the restaurant offers brunch at 60,000 won (35,000 won for children) with special activities for youngsters and a live animal pen. For more information, call 02-6282-6731. Also, JW’s Grill presents a brunch with carved lamb, hot crossed buns, eggs in brioche and desserts, for 79,000 won. For more information, call 02-6282-6759. Lotte Hotel Jeju The Lotte Hotel Jeju presents a special menu featuring Jeju’s "Bodeulgyeol" beef from indigenous cows through the end of May. The hotel signed a contract with Jeju’s livestock cooperative to exclusively provide the beef to its guests in commemoration of its 12th anniversary. Mugunghwa, the Korean restaurant in the hotel, will offer sirloin steak (58,000 won), and braised beef rib and abalone (67,000 won). Guests can al

Apr 5, 2012By Kim Rahn

Travel & Food

Travel & Food

Premium wines available at the best prices

Book cafes entice readers

Jell toasts 20th anniversary

Best Pizzas in Seoul

Finnair offers new destinations in summer

Hotel Lobby

JW Marriott Seoul sets exemplary standards

Philippines offers tourism info at travel marts

Korean Air sponsors world conservation congress

Hotel Lobby

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