Cycle 15 - Item 191 14 (Sun) July 2024 Grilled Lobster with Butter 3.0 at La Seine (Lotte World Hotel) -Jamsil, Songpa, Seoul, Republic of Korea- with the Family La Seine is a buffet restaurant. In celebration of DJ's 17th birthday tomorro…
The quietest/emptiest hotel lobby that I can recall.
In celebration of DJ's 17th birthday tomorrow, we had dinner at La Seine. No idea how the venue was chosen - whether it was DJ's idea or W's.
Located on the 2nd floor.
While living in Manila - where buffets were very popular, and very nicely done at high end hotels (see for example 9.110 Caesar Salad Burger) - we went to buffets quite often, no special occasion required.
In Korea, buffets used to be a big thing up through maybe the mid-1990s. All the major hotels had one - the better the hotel, the better the buffet. I seem to recall Shilla being the best, followed by Hyatt (but see 2.249 Smoked Salmon with Artichoke Hearts and Capers).
Hotels still have them (I think), but (I think) more for hotel guests, particularly at breakfast; I can't recall the last time (before tonight) eating dinner at a buffet in a hotel when I wasn't staying there.
King Crab (3.5): juicy and meaty, clearly steamed from fresh crabs (not pre-cooked and packaged).
Sashimi (3.0): including a slice of chotoro.
Peking Duck (2.5): hand-made pancakes were nice, but the duck was meh.
Similar to Manila, the general concept of the buffet was minimalist: specialized stations, each focusing on a few offerings, with high quality ingredients - as opposed to the buffets of yore, where volume and variety were key.
The crab was as good as the lobster, and nearly made it as the featured item.
In advance of Chobok (tomorrow), each guest was served mini bowl of samgyetang (more on this tomorrow).
The lobster had a slight edge over the crab because of the basted butter.
Good meal. With fewer yet nicer options, I felt that I'd gotten my money's worth after just a few rounds, without having to stuff myself.
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