이태원 투뿔등심 (Itaewon Two Plus Korean BBQ)

This is Part II of our Dinehill Week feast.

April 22nd's restaurant for Dinehill Week was Two Plus (투뿔등심) - SG Dinehill's contemporary Korean BBQ restaurant.  I say contemporary in comparison to its other restaurant Samwon Garden.  Samwon Garden is what started it all for SG Dinehill and is operated by SG Dinehill CEO's father.  He also happens to be the father of LPGA golfer Grace Park.  Talk about a successful family.

Two Plus specializes in Korean Hanwoo 1++ beef, hence the name Two Plus.  It's the highest rating for Korean Beef (1++, 1+, 1, 2, 3).  Two Plus also prides on providing free corkage on all drinks making this restaurant extremely popular amongst wine aficionados who like to enjoy several bottles of wine with their meal.  We took advantage of this as well and took two bottles of wine ourselves.

Not your typical Korean BBQ restaurant.  Very chic interior.

Started off with 육회 (Beef Tartare), then one serving of 등심 (Striploin) and 숙성깍두기 (Marinated Striploin Chop).

Start off with the red.  Cabernet is typically my choice to drink with steak but Christine prefers a lighter flavor so I picked up a Merlot.

The Sweet Black Sesame dressing was amazing.

한우 육회 (Hanwoo Beef Tartare)

This put every beef tartare I've ever had to shame.

Temperature is extremely important when it comes to Beef Tartare and this was perfect.  You typically get a lot of the frozen stuff which turns very soggy once it defrosts.

Side dishes.

My favorite - Jalapenos with Fermented Bean Paste

Wood Charcoal Gril

I wasn't even paying attention when the waitress threw this meat on the grill but it didn't look like a striploin and more like a tenderloin (lack of fat) so I asked and she confirmed that it was the wrong order.  The manager decided to give us this on the house and provide us our striploin as well.  (Yay!)

No need to describe anything here...

Happy~

Aged Striploin (한우등심)

Don't want to cook this meat too well so push it to the side as soon as it reaches rare.

Eat a couple pieces rare.

Some medium rare.

Christine's favorite - Moscato D'Asti

I asked for another set of wine glasses for the white wine and I was told to use the same wine glass...!  This really took me by surprise.  I was in a good mood thanks to the wine so I didn't make a big fuss about it and just washed the red wine with some water.

Moscato Killer

Two bottles for two people... realized it was too much.  We were both pretty buzzed.

숙성깍두기 (Marinated Striploin Chop)

Whew... that was a lot of meat.

We really wanted to try the Beef Brisket Fried Rice (한우차돌 볶음밥) but there was no way we were going to finish that so we ordered the Kimchee Casserole with Beef Short Ribs (갈비 김치 뚝배기).

Thanks to Dinehill Week, the waitress's mistake and free corkage, that amazing meal came to a grand total of 50,500 won (less than $50).  Be sure to take advantage of this amazing deal next year.

이태원 투뿔등심 (Itaewon Two Plus Korean BBQ)

http://www.dinehill.co.kr/new/src/twoPlus_about.asp