About two weeks ago I was alerted by a friend to the imminent opening of a new spot in the heart of…read morePalermo, Namu, José Cabrera 5600, corner of Fitz Roy, taking over the spot abandoned by Roy Bar, a sort of dive craft beer bar (is that an oxymoron?) that offered up burgers and wraps.
Although I'm not overly fond of reviewing spots when they first open, as everyone needs time to get their act together, I thought I'd give it a try, and then decide whether to hold off and give them a couple of weeks, or go ahead. Obviously, I've decided to go ahead. Pretty room, with an interesting "garden" ceiling (I think it's all plastic plants, but some of them look real, maybe it's a mix?).
The menu is relatively short, with just five appetizers and eight main courses available. They do cover a nice range of different types of dishes. Of course, dumplings are my litmus test at most Asian restaurants, and the gun-mandu were delicate, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Even with only five of them, they're a far better deal at 170 pesos than last week's round of eight mediocre ones for 180 pesos at the "fast food" Dumpling House.
Interestingly, unlike any other Korean restaurant I've been to, they don't put banchan on the table at the beginning of the meal. They're only served with the main courses, and, different dishes get a different number of (and presumably selection of) side dishes. I ordered up the daeji-bulgogi, spicy marinated pork, stir-fried, and served with rice. Again, unusual in the presentation, normally this would come with a side of lettuce leaves and some pickled vegetables to create wraps. But, it was absolutely delicious as is, I just missed that fresh crunch of the lettuce. 380 pesos.
I'd also asked for extra picante, and someone came out of the kitchen to let me know that because of the marinating process, it was a set level of spicy (pretty mild, as it turned out, despite the three chili symbol next to it on the menu), but they were happy to bring me a little side dish of gochujang chili paste to add to my tongue's content. The banchan - very good, and nicely spicy kimchi, quite good pickled daikon, and just okay stewed eggplant and marinated tofu.
Overall, love the space, excellent service. Both dishes I tried were absolutely delicious. By comparison to either Koreatown, and for portions that are a bit smaller than you'd find out there, it's a bit pricey, but for the heart of Palermo, it's actually a quite reasonable meal for the quality. And, they take debit/credit cards (Visa only), something almost non-existent in either Koreatown. I will definitely be back for more! Highly recommended.