Someone ought to give the interior designer for VCNCY a raise. The exciting newcomer to the Soho scene makes complete and ingenious use of its premises, the fancy Korean bar and restaurant exuding a nearly impenetrable air of cool confidence for the city’s trendiest.
Seats within the bar number less than 20, but for the bulk of the crowd, it’s all about being seen hanging out at the intersection of Staunton, Peel and Elgin Street. The venue’s doorway is a stark blue frame resembling a shipping container, which provides a peep into the minuscule bustling bar inside.
We settle for a round of cocktails that includes the sublimely spicy kimchi bloody mary ($85), resplendent with a cucumber rolled kimchi pick, a glass of Hendricks ($103) and an old fashioned ($120).
Disappointingly, our fine liquours are served with crushed ice rather than an ice ball, downgrading the bar’s immaculate experience a notch. We also tuck into a VCNCY potato ($78), it’s a bit over-fried, making it hard to unravel from the stick. Nevertheless, our love for the outlet’s ambience trumps these little annoyances. Even VCNCY’s bathroom is a sight to behold, with over 10 toilet paper rolls artfully hooked from the stone walls.
This little gem of a joint has staying power – just ask one of the guys washing down a beer out on the street. Janice Jann