A Festive Strawberry Dinner Experience at Le Meridien Myeongdong
38 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung District, Seoul
Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
Le Meridien Myeongdong
38 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Year-End Gathering Before Christmas
I visited Le Meridien Myeongdong for a gathering with my female classmates just before Christmas. The event featured a limited-time "Festive Special 5-Course Dinner + 3 Wine Pairings + Strawberry Dessert & Savory Collection," making it perfect for a year-end celebration.
These days, the prices for hotel strawberry buffets start at around 100,000 won, which can be quite daunting.
I looked into famous strawberry buffets like Walkerhill and Lotte Hotel, but their prices were quite high, leading me to wonder if I should just opt for a regular hotel buffet instead.
However, Le Meridien Myeongdong offered this package for 85,000 won, which felt like excellent value for money, and I was pleased with the choice of venue.
Atmosphere and First Impressions
The overall atmosphere at Le Meridien Myeongdong was very romantic, reflecting a Parisian concept. With beautiful Christmas decorations and warm lighting in the lobby lounge, the festive spirit was immediately felt upon entering.
However, finding the entrance to the hotel was quite challenging, especially in the winter winds. It might be more convenient to drive, but most people in Myeongdong use public transportation, which can be tricky for those like me who are not great with directions!
We were seated in a cozy booth, which was perfect for conversation. The cushions and sofa were very comfortable. However, since the lobby lounge tables aren't very spacious, it felt a bit cramped with all the courses, wines, and desserts on the table.
Dinner Course and Wine Pairings
While waiting for the dinner course, I took pictures of the beautiful strawberry buffet desserts. The dinner started with a welcome sparkling wine, 'Luxdition Platinum Brut,' which set a lively tone for the evening.
For the appetizer, we enjoyed a seasonal yellowtail ceviche with vegetable escabeche, kumquat dust, and Osetra caviar, which was refreshing and awakened the palate. This was paired with a Pinot Grigio from Friuli, which complemented the seafood nicely.
Next, we had truffle chestnut soup and roasted salmon served with beer sauce and bisque air. The salmon was moist, and the sauce was not overwhelming, making it easy to enjoy.
The main course featured a smoked bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin steak and poached lobster. The meat was cooked medium or above, and the bacon added a delightful flavor.
This was paired with a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo red wine, which matched the meat perfectly.
Strawberry Dessert Time
As the meal wrapped up, it was time for the strawberry dessert! The variety was impressive, including strawberry shortcake, opera cake, Basque cheesecake, tiramisu, pavlova, mousse, and tart. For dessert lovers, this place is heaven!
Personally, I found the strawberry pavlova and panna cotta especially delicious, but the best part was the fresh strawberries. Given the current high prices for strawberries, being able to indulge without worry was very satisfying.
Service Experience and Final Thoughts
There was a slight downside; we arrived a couple of minutes early and were asked to wait outside the lounge until the setup was complete. Even after 6 PM, we didn't receive assistance until I inquired again, which was a bit frustrating. It seemed like there weren't enough staff to handle the guests, making the beginning of the dinner service a bit chaotic.
Nonetheless, I was impressed by the staff's attentiveness, especially when one of my friends with allergies received detailed explanations of the ingredients in each dessert.
Now that the festive season has passed, the same menu is no longer available, but the strawberry buffet continues, so it's worth considering.
No comments yet.
