Korean barbeque, Vandy and Pacific!

irene wrote: don't forget to save room for dessert!

:?: :?: :?:
Korean dessert?
whatchootalkinboutwillis?

irene wrote:
not really 'korean' dessert. don't remember anything but the ginger creme brulee...they were typical restaurant-y desserts.

The Korean desserts I'm familiar with is one I think called ho-duk, whcih is sort of a fried cake with honey, and then a rice flour cake with bean paste, and some ginger and chestnut treats.

Although for dessert I'd settle for just more kimchi, please.

Not that I ever really have room for dessert after eating my weight in spicy squid and sam gyeop sal and kalbi and kimchi and rice and kimchi . . .

I think the slow food turnout can be attributed to opening-day jitters. What's most important is that the food surpassed any expectations I had about what a Korean restaurant in this neighborhood could be like.
The rundown:
kimchi- very fresh tasting, spicy and crisp. nice overall
pan chan- served in a three-part dish, including pickled shredded radish, sweet dried crisp anchovies with seaweed, and fish cakes with tiny shrimp. These were all tasty, with the dried fish being my fave. The portions were small, but the waitress brought more while we were waiting for the other items.
seafood pajun- a little light on the seafood, but the pancake was crisp on the outside and tender inside with good flavor. It was served on a hot metal plate, which was something I haven't seen before for this dish. I'll definitely get this again.
jap chae- the noodles had a really rich flavor, but were cut a little shorter than at most places. Also, I'm used to getting more vegetables mixed into this dish. However, overall the dish was very pleasing.
meat mandoo- These were filled with a mix of pork and beef, and it was recommended by the waitress that we get them steamed instead of sauteed (both options were available). They also have vegetable mandoo, but we didn't try these. The filling was very clean tasting, and the wrapping had a good texture (I was glad we followed the waitress' recommendation).
We each got our own entrees, but we all tasted each other's.
yook kae jang- the broth was spicy but a little thin. The traditional components of shredded beef, scallions, bean sprouts, bean threads and egg were all present, and the dish was satisfying, but I thought it was the weakest of the entrees we tried.
soon dubu jigae- the soft tofu was really creamy and delicious, and the broth was very flavorful. There could have been more broth, and there wasn't as much seafood as I'd expect, but with a little tweaking this dish will be a star.
kimchee jigae- this was my favorite entree. The broth was really rich and spicy and obviously well-flavored by the abundant pork belly slices. I think I'll probably get this for myself next time.

None of us got the barbeque items, although some people from neighboring tables did, and it smelled good. It's too bad there are no table grills though. The entree portions are large and filling, and the BYO policy (probably not going to be a permanent feature) keeps the price down. I had to work after dinner last night, but next time I'm bringing soju!

I definitely plan to give this place my business regularly (maybe pre-happy hour?).

Yay for new and exciting food in the neighborhood! =D> =D> / /

Does anyone know their hours?

pitu wrote:
We were pretty happy with dinner...

I was reasonably happy with dinner too.

I wasn't happy when my cc company just rang me to confirm some unusual activity on the card, and listed what they charged it, which corresponds to 2.7% more than what I signed for. I recall a notice to the effect of "20% gratuity for parties of more than 6" which squares with the charge, but we were only 3. Can they do that? How should I respond? On the one hand it's small change, but on the other hand if they keep that up someone is liable to dispute the charge and that can't be good for business.

doctorj wrote: [quote=pitu]
We were pretty happy with dinner...

I was reasonably happy with dinner too.

I wasn't happy when my cc company just rang me to confirm some unusual activity on the card, and listed what they charged it, which corresponds to 2.7% more than what I signed for. I recall a notice to the effect of "20% gratuity for parties of more than 6" which squares with the charge, but we were only 3. Can they do that? How should I respond? On the one hand it's small change, but on the other hand if they keep that up someone is liable to dispute the charge and that can't be good for business.

whoa!
Please go bust them!
Tell the owner, who better beg your pardon and fix the ticket. Lord knows we have half their business posting on this board...Alafair et La Famiglia Carnivore, did you pay with plastic?

BTW, my squeeze paid cash, so we didn't get this untoward taxation without representation. She took me out in joy of finding Korean locally....

It's rather odd... I've used plastic in dark alleyways of far flung lands not known for their finacial scrupulousness, and never ever had anyone fiddle the numbers above my signature, or had any other kind of unexpected charges crop up. I always adjust so the total is a whole number, so the forgery will be very clear to identify as it involved adding a numeral and altering six. If they insist on 20% across the board regardless of less than experienced table service they should spell it out clearly and/or print it on the bill.

But I'm not the confrontational in-person type. I might draft a diplomatic but firm letter with a photocopy of my copy of the receipt, side-by-side with a copy of the charge when it comes through, and see what happens.

Pity, because the pickled/dried pre-appetizers were exquisite, and as Pitu noted, the spicy squid dol sot bi bim bab was excellent (and would have been perfect if they cut back on the oil just a smidge) i.e. I would otherwise soon have been back.

i had this issue with a restaurant recently and when i called my bank they said that restaurants have historically gotten screwed concerning tips on cc machines, so have taken up initially charging what the bill would've been with 20% tip and then reconcilling the charge later with the actual reciepts. You should see the change on your statement in a couple of days. If not I'd say give them a call and hound them until they change it!

ps. Does anyone know if this place is open on Monday's? My dad is coming into town tonight and i figure it's a great excuse to try the new neighborhood joint. [-o<

doctorj wrote: Shall endeavour to sort it out and report back (without burdening myself or them overly over small change). But first I'll wait for the charge to show up in writing; it's a fluke a computer read it to me over the phone the next day when I had the receipt handy, and it could be corrected in the meantime for all I know.

Wonder if they're aware of this forum? Probably too busy opening a restaurant or hooking up PR with big buzz inc. to hang out on an online dive like this one

Toly, one of the owners, totally knows about this forum.

pitu wrote: [quote=alafairnadia]Toly, one of the owners, totally knows about this forum.

Is he working as a waiter for their start up? I had a feeling the guy bringing our dinner had a stake in the place . . .

he owns Soda & Sole, and is also one of the owners of the Mexican place that's scheduled to open. he's a middle-aged Russian dude - shaved head and kinda short & round. nice guy.

doctorj wrote: [quote=pitu]
We were pretty happy with dinner...

I was reasonably happy with dinner too.

I wasn't happy when my cc company just rang me to confirm some unusual activity on the card, and listed what they charged it, which corresponds to 2.7% more than what I signed for. I recall a notice to the effect of "20% gratuity for parties of more than 6" which squares with the charge, but we were only 3. Can they do that? How should I respond? On the one hand it's small change, but on the other hand if they keep that up someone is liable to dispute the charge and that can't be good for business.

The 2.7% charge is most likely a CC surcharge. Whenever a business accepts a CC, they need to pay a certain percentage to the CC company. Usually AMEX is the highest rate. That would explain the 2.7% charge, but.. it's illegal in NY state to tack on the CC surcharge, the vendor must either eat the charge or have it factored in when they price their menu.

doctorj wrote: [quote=wonderroom]i had this issue with a restaurant recently and when i called my bank they said that restaurants have historically gotten screwed concerning tips on cc machines, so have taken up initially charging what the bill would've been with 20% tip and then reconcilling the charge later with the actual reciepts. You should see the change on your statement in a couple of days.

Applause to wonderroom for correctly identifying the abstruse business practice responsible for the discrepancy. Yesterday the CC card division was still quoting by phone the inflated charge. Today the bank is reporting in text for the first time, and it's the charge I signed for. Shame in my opinion that the practice exists, but this sounds a small battle in the wider War of Credit, not something that will directly bother most consumers. And certainly should not be taken to reflect poorly on the integrity or quality of Noo Na, purveyor of fine Korean comestibles to the cognoscenti. Case closed.
YAY! /

I really enjoyed my meal at Noona, and I was going to be very sad if there were shady dealings going on there.

A round of applause for all the cool heads that helped resolve this without acrimony. =D>

new to PH...where's Noo Na?

I am looking forward to eating there tomorrow very much.