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Hotel Lobby

Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Sheraton Grande Walkerhill's lobby lounge Pavilion will hold its 'Very Berry Strawberry' event from Feb.19 to March 28. The promotion will be available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Strawberry vanilla cake made with cream frosting and strawberries; strawberry espresso cream cake, strawberry macaroons, strawberry almond tarts and an array of over 15 desserts will be provided. With juice, the dessert buffet for strawberry lovers costs 31,000 won per person, exclusive of tax. With tea or coffee it is 28,000 won per person, exclusive of tax. Furthermore, guests who post pictures or comments regarding the promotion on their personal blog will have a chance to win a complimentary invitation to the Pavilion's next dessert promotion. For more information, call (02) 555-5000. Westin Chosun Seoul The Westin Chosun Seoul's Cantonese style Chinese restaurant, Hong Yuan, presents a wide selection of delicacies in a course meal on weekends. Guests can choose 10 dishes from among 30 menu items, from appetizers to dessert. The "Famil

Feb 11, 2010

Gyeran Jjim Silky Egg Custard

By Kim Yong-ja This is a delicate first course. You can make many different varieties depending on the added ingredients.``Saewujeot'' (small salted shrimp) or pollack roe are often added. Chicken bouillon adds a very subtle flavor too, or you can just season with salt. INGREDIENTS (serves 2) • 2 medium EGGS • 1 cup WATER • 1/2 teaspoon SEA SALT or KOSHER SALT 1 Beat the eggs in a ``ttukbaegi'' (Korean ramekin) or a regular ramekin. Add a cup of water and salt. Mix well. 2 Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium heat. When the water is just about to boil, place the tookbaegi in the center. The water should reach almost the same level as the egg mixture. 3 Immediately turn down the heat as low as possible and cover the pot. Turn off the heat 5 minutes later. Keep it covered another 15 minutes. If you have an electric cook top, turn off the heat immediately after you place the ramekin in the water and cover the pot. The ramekin should not rattle. Keep it covered 20 minutes. Insert a large spoon under the ttukbaegi to remove. Sprinkle

Feb 11, 2010

Pierre Gagnaire Makes Magic

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Pierre Gagnaire, hailed as the ``Picasso of Gastronomy'' among ardent fans, is in fact more than a chef. Followers post pictures of him as they would Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt and praise his creations as they would a great piece from Tiffany's. Indeed, the special dinner course ``Homage a Seoul'' at the eponymous restaurant ``Pierre Gagnaire a la Seoul,'' located on the top floor of the Lotte Seoul Hotel, is something to behold. A single taste starts with a simple signature flavor, but soon develops into a ``firework'' of a thousand flames. Every dish has different nuances ― they are sweet but sour; fruity but gingery; and over all, hot and cold. In one of his signature dishes, ``onctueux d'endive au bleu d'Auvergne avec jus de kimchi gelifie'' the unexpected marriage of Kimchi and blue cheese is surprising and pleasant ― a two-hour roller coaster ride for the senses. Gagnaire said he likes to explore the world of flavors. ``I focus on a simple sense to start then develop it into some complicated mixture of texture and tastes. I believe

Feb 11, 2010

Patjuk Red Bean Puree With Sweet/Glutinous Rice Balls

By Kim Yong-ja This dish is served on the winter solstice when we have the shortest day and the longest night. Traditionally, the solstice was considered a starting time of preparation for the new year, and Patjuk was served to prevent bad luck. In modern culture, most people no longer think that a certain food can prevent bad luck, but in a country with 5ooo years of history, it continues to remain a custom to have this dish at this time. I modified this recipe to make it more presentable as a dessert. It is best served lukewarm. INGREDIENTS (serves 4) • 1 cup RED BEANS, soaked overnight in water • 2/3 cup SUGAR • 1/2 cup SWEET/GLUTINOUS RICE POWDER • 4-5 tablespoons warm water 1 Drain the beans but keep the water, adding more water if necessary to make 3 cups in all. Add the beans to the water again, bring to a boil and continue cooking. When the beans are beginning to soften, add sugar and a pinch of salt. Let them cook until they are very soft, approximately one hour in all. The liquid should cover the beans during the entire cooking process

Feb 4, 2010

Chinese Tourists Discontent With Korea

Lack of Chinese-Language Signs, Tasteless Food, High Costs Cited as Complaints By Do Je-hae, Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporters Korea has high hopes for hosting Chinese travelers, who are increasing in number worldwide and getting bolder with their overseas spending. By 2020, Korea wants to host 10 million Chinese tourists. Chinese tourists currently make up one of the largest groups of foreign tourists in Korea after those from Japan. A total of 1.3 million Chinese people visited Korea last year, represent some 17 percent of the total number of foreign visitors. However, many Chinese were found to be less than satisfied with their travels here, according to recent reports by the nation's tourism agency conducted in China. The world's most populous country rated Korea last among ten destinations in a survey assessing the level of satisfaction of Chinese tourists, according to a recent consumer report by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, Malaysia, Japan, Macao, Thailand and Vietnam all placed ahead of Korea. Many said that

Feb 4, 2010

Hotel Lobby

RENAISSANCE SEOUL HOTEL The Renaissance Seoul Hotel is offering free meals to those who have recently graduated, at its restaurants Café Elysee, Manhattan Grill and Toscana, through March 7. Those who have just graduated from elementary, middle, high school or university will be able to get a meal for free, if they are accompanied by two or more family members. The special offer is also offered to those who have just enrolled in a school. Guests must provide documentation to prove their graduation or entrance. For the event, Café Elysee will provide a free lunch or dinner buffet, Manhattan Grill will offer its ultimate lunch buffet and Toscana will serve up its Anti Pasto buffet lunch menu. For more information, call (02) 2222-8635/ (02) 2222-8647 or (02) 2222-8637. GRAND HYATT SEOUL The Grand Hyatt Seoul is presenting its special Lunar New Year's and Romance packages to celebrate the Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day. For the Lunar New Year's Package, guests can observe the revered traditions of the holiday and get a taste of true Korean cul

Feb 4, 2010

Fundraiser to Help Haiti Orphans

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Berlin restaurant in Itaewon is holding a fundraiser on Feb. 18 to help orphaned children in earthquake-stricken Haiti. The ``Haiti Children Earthquake @ Berlin Fundraiser'' will raise money to directly benefit two orphanages in the impoverished nation. Stream Lee, one of the organizers, said proceeds from the event will directly go to two Haitian orphanages: Wilner's Orphanages ― Bell Fountain, and Jimmy's Orphanages ― Delmar 33. Organizers are in contact with these two orphanages, where the children are in immediate need of food, clothes, medicine, shelter and water. The orphanages collapsed after Haiti was hit by a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12. The earthquake devastated the capital, Port-au-Prince, and left over 270,000 dead. The proceeds will go to addressing the orphans' most dire needs, as well as helping the orphanages rebuild and hire teachers to educate them. At the fundraiser, a minimum 15,000 won donation is required at the door. There will also be items, including designer goods, to be sold at the

Jan 31, 2010

Chilled Oranges With Yujacheong

By Kim Yong-ja "Yuja" is a citrus fruit with a wonderful scent, growing mainly in the southwestern part of Korea. It is usually sold as a preserve called yujacheong, which resembles orange marmalade. It is mainly used as a sweetening agent for teas. I use it not only for tea but also for breakfast rolls and desserts. INGREDIENTS (serves 4) 7 medium ORANGES 2/3 cups YUJACHeONG (citrus fruit preserve) Peel the oranges with a knife and divide into segments. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. They should be very cold. Serve in individual bowls, topping with a spoonful of yujacheong. janee@koreatimes.co.kr

Jan 28, 2010

Invitation to Tuscan Cuisine

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter The fashionable districts of Milan and Rome aren't all there is to Italy. The tranquil and peaceful atmosphere of Tuscany is also worth cherishing. In the book "Under the Tuscan Sun," the main character, worn out from her divorce and the rat race, goes to Tuscany and finds new energy. In actuality, it's a lot like that ― relaxation and happiness can usher in new life. Visiting chef Luca Lodovici at the Ritz Carlton Seoul hotel praises that rejuvenating quality. "Everything is abundant there. The sun, the grass, fruits, vegetables, wine and high quality meat," he said. The nature of Tuscany was the main inspiration for his menu at the hotel's signature restaurant, "The Garden," which will be available through Feb. 5. "I tried to bring the atmosphere of the soft side of the country. The fish and meat range from halibut to king crab, from Wagyu to lamb. It is all reflected to the menu," Lodovici, the executive chef at Hotel Borgo San Felice in Italy, said. The ricotta cheese and spinach gnudi with ewe's cheese and sage is one good

Jan 28, 2010

Hotel Lobby

Grand Hilton Seoul The Grand Hilton Seoul will offer a range of special packages during the Lunar New Year's Day holiday season, Feb. 10 to 15. The Bok (good luck) Package, priced at 90,000 won, offers a one night stay in a Deluxe Room, as well as traditional tea or coffee for two at the Atrium Caf?. The Hue (rest) Package, available for 120,000 won, includes one night in a Deluxe Room, breakfast for two, two tickets for the Gwanghwamun ice rink, and tea or coffee for two at the Atrium Caf?. For guests looking for entertainment, the Rak (amusement) Package, priced at 160,000 won, includes one night in an Executive Floor Room, breakfast for two, happy hour at the Executive Floor lounge, and two movie tickets for the Lotte Movie Theater. Lastly, the Family package (130,000 won) includes one night in a Grand Suite, three tickets for the Gwanghwamun ice rink and a 2010 calendar. Discount vouchers for YongPyong ski resort, complementary use of the swimming pool and gym are included in all packages. All prices are exclusive of tax and service charge. For more in

Jan 28, 2010
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