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    Soogil

    4.2 (210 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Soogil Photos

    Business Info

    SOOGIL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Soogil

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    Molten chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream
    Jaimie C.

    Decent, but lackluster compared to its modern Korean fusion "fine dining" counterparts. Fave were the beef tartare and molten chocolate cake (prob the best molten chocolate cake I've had). Duck was also decent (great tender texture but a bit lacking in flavors, the dish was made decent by the side chicken sausage + rice with the most amazing kick ), otherwise Duck is on the lighter side in terms of flavors and just ok. Beef Wellington has a great presentation, but the flavor was rather bland, and this seems to be the recurring theme of this place (maybe it's the French influence, but most of the items are a bit bland for my liking ) . Ambiance is cute and cozy!

    menu
    Michelle L.

    Mediocre dinner. Good Foie Gras though. Everything about this restaurant was rather mediocre. I had rather high expectations which were not met in the slightest. To start the meal I ordered the passion fruit fizz which as evidenced by the photo looks disappointing- the black plastic straw and the generic ice... maybe I am being too picky but the whole meal followed suite as well. Not to mention, the different flavors in the drink were all overpowered by the passionfruit. It just tasted like passionfruit juice. The potato balls were nice and crisp. A very cute bite. Appetizers were solid. I liked the scallops and the yellowtail. The foie gras was very well done though! The sear is so unique- it came out warm and I loved the contrast with the tart cherries on top! This was the only dish I would come here for. Mains were fine. I wish they cut the beef wellington in front of you after showing you the intact individual beef wellington... The biggest nono though was the reusing of components. THe green puree was used in both the duck dish and the beef wellington. Not acceptable. Duck was okay, though if you're looking for a korean-fusion restaurant with duck I would recommend Attoboy. Dessert was also fine. Nothing standout. Overall, a rather disappointing meal. I would recommend the foie gras but that's about it. I will likely not return.

    Wellington
    Josh S.

    Beef Wellington was great. The rest of the food was also tasty! Service was ok but not overly friendly. They kept taking away dishes and cutlery while some people on the table were still eating. The restaurant is fairly small but very nice, and had good music playing.

    Inside- empty :(
    Christine L.

    Came here for my birthday dinner, and honestly regret it. I was excited to try a spot from Chef Soogil Lim since he trained with the incredible Chef Daniel Boulud (love all his restaurants) and was excited for this French Korean fusion! First, the restaurant was really empty which maybe should've been a tell. Service was fine, but fell short of what I'd expect from a nicer spot. Started with some drinks and then did the tasting menu with added Foie Gras. I came with 2 other people so we basically got one of everything. Standouts include the scallop tomato appetizer (when do I not loveee a raw scallop?), and the Foie Gras Crispy Rice add on. Wellington was fine but they basically bring out the same Wellington to show you, and then just give you a slice from the back. Would've been nice if they sliced it tableside. Desserts were good, and they put a candle in mine which was nice. Our bill came out to around $500 for 3 people- which IMO was not worth my money. With so many other fantastic French/Korean spots in the city, I don't think I'll ever be back.

    Yuelin L.

    The service was pleasant and the environment sleek and intimate. The dinner started with a complimentary sweet potato ball, which was a fun touch. Among the three appetizers we tried, the yellowtail crudo and scallop with tomato stood out for their clean, fresh flavors and elegant presentation. The beef tartare was well-seasoned and visually appealing. For mains, we had the Wellington beef (tender, nicely seasoned), duck breast (solid, not mind-blowing), and the seared fish -- which ended up being my favorite for its balanced flavor and crispy skin. However, the portions were shockingly small. We ended up adding the foie gras rice, which arrived in a single sushi-sized bite. Delicious, but definitely not enough. Desserts were average and forgettable. In total, we paid over $100 per person and still left feeling hungry. This spot might be great for dates or light eaters who prioritize plating over fullness, but if you're looking for a satisfying meal -- this may not be it. Pros: * Beautiful plating * Calm atmosphere * Creative flavor pairings Cons: * Very small portions * Price-to-portion mismatch * Dessert lacked a wow factor Would I return? Maybe, but only with different expectations.

    Duck
    Roberto G.

    Was very interested and excited to try this Korean x French fusion restaurant. Had reservations for a tuesday night and were seated immediately. It is a beautiful space and the staff is absolutely wonderful and thus we were prepared for a wonderful meal. We came here during restaurant week but opted for the delicious looking 6 course meal instead and we were not disappointed. The courses were spread out wonderfully so that we were not just sitting there waiting for each course. Amuse bouche trio - What a great progression of food starting with the peach and korean melon tart with perfect sweetness, to the fois gras mousse and then the potato beignet with a more savory bite. Great way to start the meal. Yellowtail and caviar - I think this was my favorite bite, loved the fish pairing with the saltiness of the caviar and the sweetness of the sauce it sat on was absolutely amazing. The Tomato and scallop and the Branzino were absolutely amazing. For the main course - my wife got the duck and it was perfectly cooked. What I really loved was that I got the Beef wellington they present it to you nicely before they cut and serve it. Finally the dessert was great as well. My two negatives, and the reason I knocked it 1 star. Even though it was great that they present this nice wellington to you, Don't expect the whole thing. For the price you have just paid, would have a appreciated the whole wellington as opposed to half of one. The other negative, was that we really wish there was more bold korean flavors, because it felt like that was missing. If this was a French restaurant, I probably would have been happier with all the flavors, because it was delicious, but I really was craving more bold Korean flavors. Overall was good, however a hefty price point.

    beef wellington
    Stephanie Y.

    Seemingly underrated spot for Korean x French fusion. I came for my dad's birthday and the place was quite empty on a Thursday evening, so I was a bit worried it wouldn't be good but every single dish was amazing. The chefs really just know how to cook well, transcending cuisine. From beef wellington to scallop sashimi with tomato, every bite was packed with flavor and cooked to perfection - not over or undercooked, so everything was juicy and flavorful! Ambiance was also serene and perfect for the celebration! Just wish they did more to acknowledge the birthday, such as wishing him happy birthday when he entered / giving a complimentary dessert.

    Angelina G.

    it was good but not amazing we did chefs tasting 6 course with beef wellington and added uni bowl. beef wellington was kinda salty but the uni bowl was yum. it was a lot of food for it being a tasting menu tbh. i would get the 4 course instead of 6 if i were to do it again. our fav dish was the branzino the drinks were super good tho

    Persimmon sorbet
    Clèm B.

    Amazing restaurant we tried during restaurant week. The food was delicate and well presented. The flavors were amazing and the meat was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Great upscale restaurant with fusion food (French/Korean) Service is good, ambiance is very intimate Perfect place for a date

    Igor S.

    The food here is awesome. You can easily tell all of the fusion flavors. Came here on a Wednesday and it was kind of empty. The place is small and decor wise nothing special. I must say with the place being empty the service was extremely slow. Something must have happened since our server apologized a few times for the wait. Would easily come back here again.

    Molten Chocolate Cake
    Albert N.

    Tldr - good date spot. The tables are close by and the Ambiance is quite intimate. - Bathroom was very clean and the food tasted great. If you're hungry you may want the 6 course option as we had the 4 course. - the chocoate lava cake dessert was amazing - generally the staff was polite and explained the food well, but they could have been more attentive with getting the bill and refilling waters. No complaints though!

    Black Cod
    Isaac S.

    I was visiting my son from sunny California, and before this I couldn't understand why people like NYC so much. From the crowds to the cold, NYC was never appealing and I always preferred living in the West; I never could've imagined living here. However, after visiting this place, my whole perspective has been changed. I realized firsthand that people here have the extremely fortunate opportunity to have this amazing food and at very reasonable prices, and this is the first time I have ever thought of coming to live here--just for this restaurant. Every single dish was precisely prepared and perfectly combined. It surprised and satisfied my taste buds, and I can imagine it did not just for Asians but for people of other cultures too. If you would like to have special dinner without paying extra for the name brand, I strongly recommend coming here.

    Sahas G.

    Soogil is a beautiful spot in the east village that combines French and Korean cuisine to produce a wonderful meal. Stopped in on a Thursday night as a group of three and ordered the four course tasting. Adding the Uni Bowl brought the meal to ~110 pre tax/tip, which might admittedly be a little high for what you're getting. I think the ambiance itself of the place is wonderful - the soft lighting and music make for a very elegant mood. The star of the night, which I didn't order, was the nurungji foie gras - definitely worth the addition.

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    Gurumé - Tuna Tartar - yellowfin tuna noodle, lemon shallot aioli, cucumber, crispy sun-choke chips

    Gurumé

    4.7(380 reviews)
    2.4 miMidtown West, Theater District, Hell's Kitchen
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Large group friendly

    Looking to try something different in the area, Gurume sounded so good, we thought we'd see if we…read morecan get a table at opening without a reservation. About 10 minutes before opening on a Saturday night there were some people waiting for the doors to open. Once we asked for a table, we were asked to step to the side so reservations could be checked in first. Luckily in a few minutes we were offered seats at the bar since they had full reservations that night. The bar was comfortable and the bartenders were great. I loved watching the cocktails being made and speaking of cocktails, they are excellent. The Bool included tequila, pomegranate and jalapeño; the other cocktail was a spritz of sorts and both were fabulous. The menu is Korean tapas, so we ordered a bunch of items to try. As each dish was served the server described the dish and even provided some instructions on the best way to eat it, if applicable. Tuna Tartare was quite good, the knife cuts were a bit inconsistent which was surprising given the level of everything, but the dish was still enjoyable; citrusy with crispy sunchoke chips. Oyster Mushroom Tacos were incredible. It didn't even feel like I was eating mushrooms. The tacos were so falvorful and balanced. If they ask you if you want to add a 4th taco to the dish, definitely say yes. Berkshire Kimchi Fried Rice served with a beautifully runny egg brought the spice and the dish was both elegant and homey at the same time. Just wonderful Birria Mandu served in a bone marrow consume was spectacular. Fried Chicken Wings, we opted for the sweet and spicy version served with kimchi daikon were sublime and addictive. They also provided a wet towel with the dish so you can clean up afterwards. Those 5 dishes were a good amount of food to feel satisfied, but we couldn't stop there and needed to try dessert. Do not pass up the Black Sesame Bread pudding, it was sublime. Served in a sizzling cast iron pan with candied almond slices and ice cream. It was so unique and really really delicious. The whole experience from the hostess to the servers to the food was A+ and I can't wait to go back.

    Came here on a Wednesday around 5:00 to have dinner before a show. Able to get a table right away…read moreand the servers asked about our show time so that we would have plenty of time. It's a cozy little space that doesn't feel too dark or cramped thanks to soft lighting and mirrors. The food was amazing! Kitchen staff was very accommodating to multiple allergies (nuts and dairy) and even made some changes so that the food would be safe to eat. We had the Brussels sprouts, oyster mushroom tacos (for person without dairy allergy), mushroom harvest bowl, and tuna tartare. All of them were excellent. I would definitely come here again!

    Photos
    Gurumé - Berkshire Kimchi Fried Rice - tender berkshire pork, caramelized kimchi, crunchy quinoa

    Berkshire Kimchi Fried Rice - tender berkshire pork, caramelized kimchi, crunchy quinoa

    Gurumé - Pork and Radish "Bossam" - braised pork belly, pickled radish noodles, dwenjang creme

    Pork and Radish "Bossam" - braised pork belly, pickled radish noodles, dwenjang creme

    Gurumé - Truffle Dduk & Cheese - brown butter korean rice cake, six cheese sauce, crunchy quinoa, garlic crostini

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    Truffle Dduk & Cheese - brown butter korean rice cake, six cheese sauce, crunchy quinoa, garlic crostini

    Thursday Kitchen - Korean Popcorn Chicken * @eat_with_lily (food ig)

    Thursday Kitchen

    4.4(1.9k reviews)
    0.3 miEast Village, Alphabet City
    $$

    Yummy and reasonably priced tapas. The drinks were so cute as they came in pouches and are similar…read moreto an adult capri-sun. They are also strong, but refreshing. We ordered 5 dishes and it was enough for 2 of us. Even though portions are small, it's actually pretty filling. The truffle mac and cheese was heavy but had a good amount of cheese to macaroni ratio. The truffle flavor was there but not super overpowering. My favorite dish of the night. Edamame dumplings were different as it had a cheesy flavor and the edamame itself wasn't noticeable. The sauce surrounding it was savory. Also a must get. Wish it was more than 4 pieces. Lucky noodle was super chewy and reminds me of a Chinese noodle soup with ground beef. It has a hint of cumin flavor even though not sure if that ingredient is in it. The steak was super chewy and flavorful but is not a must get. Popcorn chicken was the weakest because it was a bit too dense. Overall, this place was only $100 in total with drinks and in NYC, it's a steal!

    Love the idea of Korean tapas! Every dish is reasonably priced. We got the popcorn chicken,…read moregnocchi, lucky noodle, paella, and the plantain for two people which was enough. The gnocchi and lucky noodle sauces were amazing. The gnocchi had a sauce similar to a teokbokki and had a nice kick. The lucky noodle had great texture and with the sweet onions, had a nice sweet and spicy mix. The popcorn chicken was cooked well. The paella was a nice mix between Spanish and Korean flavors. The only thing we didn't like was the plantain as it was just half a plantain and the dip it came with didn't mix well in my opinion. The drinks tasted stronger than I expected but that ended up with the drinks being a little bitter. Service was nice and quick here! This is a great spot for a girls night out. We came at around 6:30 PM on a Saturday and were able to get seated immediately. Overall, really good!

    Photos
    Thursday Kitchen - Drinks

    Drinks

    Thursday Kitchen - Korean Popcorn Chicken * @eat_with_lily (food ig)

    Korean Popcorn Chicken * @eat_with_lily (food ig)

    Thursday Kitchen - Tuna Taco * @eat_with_lily (food ig)

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    Tuna Taco * @eat_with_lily (food ig)

    Debajo - Octopus and forbidden rice

    Debajo

    4.4(119 reviews)
    1.4 miFlatiron

    Made a reservation here for dinner before a show and it did not disappoint! Pretty quiet when we…read moregot there (I think it had just opened) but were seated in a nice booth. To find Debajo you have to find the staircase leading down as this is below ground level - hence the name. MUST GET the patatas bravas - just enough to share between three people but might want to get two orders if your party is more than three. DO NOT GET the queso - it's literally a couple thin slices of cheese, a tiny bowl of almonds, and some tomato mixture. You can add bread for like $7 on top of the original $16 price - actually ridiculous for what you get. The roasted duck breast was flavorful and tender, and the bavette steak was even better. Really great to share as well since they're cut up already. Good vibes in Debajo - would definitely come back again. It was clean and very chic.

    Debajo had delicious tapas in a relaxing upscale environment…read more They are tucked away in nomad, down a set of nondescript stairs. But don't let the basement level dissuade you; they really turn their location into a strength. There's a covered "outdoor" section with lots of natural light, and the inside is spacious and modern, with a semi-open kitchen that makes it feel like you're in a place twice its size. The tapas we tried were great. Patatas bravas were crispy on the outside, with a fluffy inside, and maybe a touch too much salt. The hamachi crudo was excellent, with a unique coconut and mango sauce that gave it a touch of sweet to go with the zest. And the pulpo was great, the octopus was well prepared and the sauce was hearty without dominating the taste. The half chicken was the most memorable dish; our server recommended it, and it's clear why. It was unbelievably juicy and tender, with plenty of lemon flavor in every bite. Lots of meat, don't expect a small plate like the other menu items! All in all a good experience in a nice atmosphere, definitely staying on the list for tapas in the future.

    Photos
    Debajo
    Debajo - Grilled octopus with black rice

    Grilled octopus with black rice

    Debajo - Non alcoholic wine.

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    Non alcoholic wine.

    Balzem

    Balzem

    4.0(627 reviews)
    0.5 miNolita
    $$$
    8 years in business
    Private events

    What an amazing place. I made a reservation for 9pm and because of the snow, the driving was very…read moreslow. I found a spot 1/2 block and the restaurant called me and I told the hostess I was parking. The was nice they called to double check. I walked over and the place was packed. We waited maybe 6 mins and we're seated in the corner by front window. It was freezing and you can feel some chill everytime the door but it was manageable. We got a lychee martini and a montepulciano wine which were both very good. For appetizers we got the octopus salad, and the hummus. Both were delish and fresh!! For dinner, got the branzino which was amazing and my friend got the seafood pasta. The dinner and the hostess checked on us and I believe the manager; a yall guy who was very friendly. He asked us to return. We originally were going to Avra but I liked what I saw on the menu and I believe it was the best choice!! I certainly plan to return. I told me buddy Wil and he just booked Feb 14 at 930pm!!! I hope they treat him well like they did me!!!

    We popped in for a mid week dinner. We had a reservation but it didn't seem too busy but also not…read morequiet. The restaurant had a fun vibe with wine bottles and art on the walls. We shared a brunch of food, starting with the mezze dips. The chicken skewers were nice and moist and well seasoned. The burger was good but they charge extra for cheese which was a bit odd. The Dubai cheesecake for dessert was great.

    Photos
    Balzem
    Balzem
    Balzem

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    The Little Pig - Arancini.

    The Little Pig

    4.5(50 reviews)
    2.8 miBoerum Hill

    Came to Brooklyn for a concert and found this place…read more Fantastic. We got the burrata, which was delicious and very fresh. I had the chicken bacon ranch sandwich, with grilled chicken, which didn't feel heavy at all and was absolutely delicious. The pork belly sandwich that my friend had was good, and he said that it had a spice to it that made it unique. We got a few rounds of the pigtail, and it was light refreshing and very summery. The wait staff was very friendly, and attentive.. and we sat out in the back and it was great. Would recommend if in the area!

    Boy, this place should have been fantastic and just couldn't get there. My top-tier chum who…read moreliterally went to the school of hospitality and I stopped by here Tuesday night prior to the Nets game for some light bites and cocktails - I refuse to buy the overpriced crap at Barclays, so this seemed like more than a good compromise. I also had multiple chums from Brooklyn endorsing this spot, so everything seemed to be lining up for an excellent night. Unfortunately, I'm starting to think you just can't go to places like this on a Tuesday, but maybe it was just a bad night. I got here way before my chum due to our work schedules, literally 45 minutes or so. It wasn't 6pm yet and while there were definitely customers in both the bar area and the backyard outdoor section, it was pretty chill. I was able to secure a small table next to the bar right by the open window in the front (probably because the sun was glaring down on it, which wasn't an issue 10 minutes later) and just chilled out for a while, enjoying the excellent warm weather. This was the highlight of the experience, which unfortunately my chum did not get to enjoy. A lot of this was just unfortunate timing, I think. As I was waiting for my chum, people were practically streaming into the bar, probably about 25 or so, which I watched with increasing trepidation. Pretty much all of them wanted a drink, and there was only one bartender. They did not fix that problem until well into my chum's visit, so there was literally just the one guy making a gazillion drinks for about 45 minutes. Just no reason for that at all, especially given that they DID have the resources to divert and had a young woman back there at a certain point. But once I saw how crazy it was getting, I tried to pre-emptively order a second round, which he forgot about and had to ultimately be reminded of. It took literally half an hour to get the second drink. When my chum arrived, she went up to the bar to order her own drink and some of the arancini. She came back 10 minutes later and said she wasn't given the opportunity - THAT is completely insane. If you're so swamped that customers have to wait that long to even order much less get their drinks, you need help. Not clear where the disconnect was, but what started out as a great experience pretty much crash landed. Really disappointing. The crowd did thin out ultimately but the damage had been done. We were able to get the drinks but didn't bother with the additional app because we didn't want to risk missing a big chunk of the Nets game. So by not being even remotely attentive for a significant period of time, they left money on the table. I will say that the bartender himself maintained his professionalism throughout, and just kept making the drinks. Pretty much the opposite of what would have happened on Bar Rescue. This was on management, not the bartender. The drinks WERE good, which also made the service problems a shame. I got the Witch Doctor, which featured bourbon, rosemary, maple and lemon. Really well made, and appropriate for the unseasonably warm evening - it's the kind of bourbon cocktail made for summer. Would absolutely get that again. And the food was very solid. The star of the night was the arancini, which were featured prominently on the apps menu right at the time and promoted as one of their big selling points - deservedly so. These were honestly some of the best rice balls I've had. The cheese in the middle emphasized the flavors and wasn't too dense or overwhelming, the balls were cooked perfectly, and the sauce (the underrated part of rice balls for me) was delicious. Huge recommend. I also got a margarita flatbread to share with my chum, and that was good as well. Everything was going to come up short to the arancini, but it hit the spot. As mentioned, this was a random Tuesday night when maybe they don't have their full crew ready to rock. Maybe it was a fluke crowd surge? I just don't know, but the bottom line was that they weren't prepared for the customers who came in and were already there, and that's a big problem. If you can't deliver the same quality that you do on the weekends and predictably busier times, then you shouldn't be open that early in the week. Hopefully they figure it out because there's a lot to like here.

    Photos
    The Little Pig - Inside

    Inside

    The Little Pig
    The Little Pig - Witch Doctor.

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    Witch Doctor.

    Boqueria W40th - Paella De Mariscos

    Boqueria W40th

    4.1(913 reviews)
    2.1 miMidtown West, Theater District
    $$$
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    Not usually a person that sticks to the restaurant attached to the hotel but I make an exception…read morefor Boqueria. This place is a solid choice particularly in the Times Square zone. I've enjoyed many things here but love the charcuterie board and typically go for a customized choice. Love the truffle cheese, manchego and prosciutto. The burger sliders are fun also. Service is great as well. Many a time I've come in late and they still take care of me. Sorry!

    Came here on a Saturday looking for a table of two without a reservation and we got lucky! We were…read morequickly directed to our table. The restrooms were allocated in the joining hotel so it's a bit of a walk. We were not too hungry just looking for a quick snack so we settled on Brussels, top sirloin and calamari to share. The Brussel sprouts were crispy with a tangy dressing topped with dried cranberries and raisins. This dish had a nice balance. There were two-three fairly larger hunkers which we had to cut up but otherwise flavor was nice. Next came the top sirloin cooked to medium with a bed of roasted carrot purée and a salsa sauce. The sirloin was seasoned nicely and cooked to perfection- very tender! By far my favorite dish! The calamari was a bit of a disappointment. It was fried too crispy and lost the calamari taste. We let the server know and he very kindly brought out a churro to apologize- very kind of them! Overall I had a great experience here! The food was great, service was fantastic!

    Photos
    Boqueria W40th - Chef's Menu

    Chef's Menu

    Boqueria W40th - Peravino

    Peravino

    Boqueria W40th

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    Ruffian - Spicy raw beef salad

    Ruffian

    4.6(313 reviews)
    0.2 miEast Village, Alphabet City
    $$$

    I had a light meal here for about $36 during happy hour on a Saturday. It's certainly a bit…read moreexpensive, but I was impressed. Sourdough dumplings - the dumplings had just the right bite to them in terms of texture and were filled with a warm, starchy filling - looked like green peas and cabbage/kimchi. The broth is savory from the porcini mushrooms, and with a delicious aromatic note of ginger, and a touch of sweetness to balance everything. The oil over top made a gorgeous fractal pattern over the broth. Elderflower tonic - this mocktail was fizzy, a bit sour, and a bit sweet. Light and refreshing.

    We dined here back in September 2024 (I know, I know, this review is long overdue!)…read more They offer a tasting menu that changes seasonally, and is primarily vegetarian-based. Props for creativity because I have yet to encounter any dishes quite like what we had here prior and since. To be honest, I wasn't too crazy about the lentil salad with the sicilian melon. Taste-wise it was fine, but the presentation to this day reminds me of a slug on a pile of detritus. Aside from that, I remember fondly the savory dill granita, the cool and spicy elements and fresh herbs from the cucumber salad, and the krofne trifle - an ensemble of fermented rice cream, pickled plums, and anise crumble) that strangely worked well together. You can also add on a wine pairing if needed or just enjoy the wine here! They specialize in Eastern European wines. Service was excellent and attentive. I would not mind visiting again, especially since the menu changes up seasonally. Also, based on my lack of wine photos, it appears that I did not partake in the wine pairing so will need to remedy that. Until next time!

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    Ruffian
    Ruffian - Queen of tart

    Queen of tart

    Ruffian - Sailor strength (spinach-garlic dip)

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    Sailor strength (spinach-garlic dip)

    Soogil - korean - Updated May 2026

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