Sadly, I’ve come to realize that when it comes to Italian food in Seoul I’ve resigned myself to mediocre fare. This realization came about in two instances. First, when my friend pointed out that the pasta I was slowly and ruefully shoveling into my mouth at Hera’s in Itaewon should be taken back to the kitchen. The epiphany hit me like a slap in the face: I’d become accustomed to bad Italian. Second, the point was driven home when I finally had genuinely great Italian food at Jenny’s Cafe in Hongdae.
A quick perusal of the menu built my expectations. The appetizers were Bruschetta, baked shrimp, baked mushrooms, and a combo platter. The red sauce pastas were eggplant fettuccine, arrabiatta penne, and cheese risotto. The cream based pastas were mushrooms and fresh gnocchi, beef and cheese penne, and Greek fettuccine. The olive oil pastas were spaghetti with prawns or mushrooms, and Jenny’s special anchovy spaghetti. The pizzas came in Margherita, four cheese, salami and olives or mushroom with basil pesto. It all sounded fantastic. They also serve sea bass, rib eye or tenderloin. My expectations peaked when I spied the dishes on the other tables. Mouth watering.
My friend Marty ordered the Margherita Pizza while I opted for the lunch set with Bruschetta, and Cafe Americano. A bread basket arrived first. The bread was moist, warm, and smelled like it had just come from the oven. Maybe it had since Jenny also runs a bakery not too far away. My Bruschetta arrived next. Four nicely sized pieces of toasted rye topped with either chunks of diced tomato, basil, ham, olives and gorgonzola. The eggplant fettuccine came with garlic, mushrooms, parmesan cheese and succulent pieces of eggplant.
If the photos or the menu isn’t enough to get you over there then all I have to say is that you’re definitely missing out. I’l be going back quite soon. Say hello if you see me!
Address:
서울시 마포구 서교동 404-22 1F
Prices:
W7,500 to W28,000 with dinner ourses coming in at 31,000 and 34,000 and a party set at W 82,000
Hours:
11:30am-10:30pm
Phone:
02-3141-7817
Website:
Directions:
See the map!
I’d been looking forward to trying this place, but when I just called to make a reservation, they said in broken English that they don’t take reservations “at the end of the week… too many people.” And I said, “Isn’t that exactly why you’re supposed to take reservations?” Finally, they said they’d give me a table when I told them I’m a food writer, but sheesh, with that kind of treatment I kind of want to stand them up!
That’s strange behavior especially for a restaurant that should be trying to please and satisfy customers to the best of their ability. On the bright side, if you go, I’m sure you’re going to enjoy the experience!