Italian dining with Heineken

The noodles of the “Gorgeous Pasta” are hidden under red flakes so that you can’t tell if it is pasta at first glance unless you are told. Specially made by chef Chung Myeong-won, the Gorgeous Pasta is the signature menu item of this place. Topping the olive pasta are crisps of fried garlic and spicy shrimp, with a bit of breadcrumbs and Cheongyang red pepper. A mouthful of the pasta makes you really feel the deliciously spicy taste harmonized with the crispy and soft textures of the toppings. With a glass of Heineken, you can taste the freshness at its maximum.  The restaurant’s romaine salad is even more flavorful with the homemade style breadcrumbs. The Gorgeous Kitchen uses the fourth floor and the rooftop of the building that’s better known for Mug for Rabbit. A large Heineken logo fills one side of the wall and the rooftop has a nice view of the neighborhood. We recommend going at night, to enjoy the cool atmosphere with an even cooler crowd.

Not far from Olympic Park, the tranquil neighborhood around De Karmeliet makes you feel like you’re in the suburbs. And the restaurant makes the best use of its green surroundings in its dishes. A seemingly ordinary caprese is topped with fresh pesto made from basil grown in the nearby garden. The restaurant grows five types of herbs including basil, and almost all of the herbs used in the dishes are freshly picked from the garden. The mixed seafood grill consisting of marinated mussels, lobster, shrimp, calamari, flatfish, and salmon is reminiscent of Sicialian cuisine. But De Karmeliet puts a special spin on the dish, by adding a sauce made with mussel stock and tomato sauce. The savory and light taste of the sauce calls for a beer. Sit in the open garden with a Heineken bottle in one hand to get that road trip feeling. Along with some great Italian dishes, De Karmeliet also serves excellent European family meals and a Belgian favorite, mussel stew.