The Essence of Eatanic Garden: A Unique Dining Experience
The name Eatanic Garden is not just a simple label; it embodies a philosophy that permeates the design of the space and the culinary approach.
Combining 'eat' and 'botanic garden,' the term signifies 'a meal enjoyed in a garden,' placing nature at the core of both food and ambiance.
Upon entering Eatanic Garden, one feels as if they have stepped into a hidden greenhouse or a sophisticated garden in the heart of the city. The lighting and interior are delicately designed to evoke the vitality of plants, creating an atmosphere that aspires to be an 'elegant garden in the urban landscape.' It is not overly extravagant, yet sufficiently luxurious.
Particularly striking is the harmonious blend of jade and teal colors. The calm yet deep hues create a noble garden ambiance unique to Eatanic Garden. While inspired by nature, the space feels refined and understated.
Famous for its city view, another highlight is the open kitchen. The kitchen feels like a stage, showcasing the movements of the chefs and their team, allowing guests to naturally experience the cooking process.
At the center of this culinary performance is Chef Son Jong-won. True to the name 'a meal enjoyed in a botanic garden,' he does not merely use natural elements as decoration. He translates the vitality and seasonality of ingredients into his dishes, designing the space and plates to flow together seamlessly.
Thus, Eatanic Garden is not just a restaurant inspired by plants; it is a space where perspectives on nature coexist with ways to translate those into taste. It serves as a place to pause and savor the green essence amidst the urban hustle.
Located on the 36th floor of the Josun Palace, the restaurant offers breathtaking openness from the moment you step inside. The height and expansive view contribute to the unique atmosphere.
Throughout the space, jade, teal, and jadeite colors flow naturally. This modern reinterpretation of traditional celadon hues imbues the area with a mystical and elegant vitality. The colors are green yet light, calm yet not monotonous.
This aligns with the name 'a meal enjoyed in a botanic garden.' By bringing in the colors of nature and refining them into Eatanic Garden's unique garden, a sophisticated environment is created.
The interior, designed by the French duo Humbert & Poyet, showcases art deco style with a harmonious blend of antique gold and marble materials. Classic elements are combined with modern sensibilities, making a clear statement without being excessive.
The walls are finished with soft curves and subtle patterned textiles. This choice of curves over straight lines gives the space a more flexible, peaceful ambiance, focusing on depth rather than flamboyance.
As you sit down, the panoramic city view unfolds before you, showcasing the skyline of Gangnam. The window seats, especially the two-person tables, are in high demand due to their stunning views. Natural light during the day and city lights at night create two distinct atmospheres.
Another highlight is the open kitchen, designed with a 'U' shape around the cooking area, allowing diners to watch the chefs' intricate culinary processes like a performance. Every moment before the dish is plated is revealed, enhancing the vibrancy of the dining experience.
Private rooms are also available for quieter settings such as business meetings or family gatherings, allowing for a more tranquil and independent dining experience.
Eatanic Garden's space transcends beautiful interiors. The colors inspired by nature, the urban views, and the visible kitchen movements all flow together to create an experience of 'green dining.'
Chef Son Jong-won's philosophy at Eatanic Garden can be summed up in one sentence: 'Familiar ingredients, unfamiliar discoveries.' He combines seasonal ingredients familiar to Koreans with Western techniques to create entirely new dishes. The goal is not simple fusion but to present 'the most Korean yet uniquely original dishes found nowhere else.'
By incorporating the tranquility of a botanic garden, Eatanic Garden aspires to offer 'a sensory awakening through culinary relaxation,' focusing on the gradual expansion of sensation rather than flashy extravagance.
The seasonal ingredient illustration cards are a small yet profound embodiment of this philosophy. Instead of a typical menu, Eatanic Garden provides detailed illustration cards featuring the seasonal ingredients that star in the day's course. These cards serve not just as guides but as 'culinary narratives' reflecting the chef's thoughts.
The front of the card features delicate illustrations of the ingredients, allowing guests to encounter the raw materials before the dish is served. The back includes a brief note from the chef explaining the inspiration behind the choice of ingredients, creating a storytelling experience akin to flipping through a plant encyclopedia.
Choosing thoughtful illustrations over elaborate descriptions visually completes the identity of Eatanic Garden as 'a meal enjoyed in a botanic garden.' The analog nature of the cards makes them memorable.
Moreover, these illustration cards serve another purpose: they facilitate communication between the chef and the guests. Often, the set of cards provided after the meal includes the chef's handwritten signature, making them a treasured keepsake among food enthusiasts.
In essence, Chef Son Jong-won conveys his philosophy through small details rather than grand declarations, encouraging a fresh perspective on familiar ingredients and turning a meal into an experience.
Thus, the dining experience here does not shout with extravagance but quietly awakens the senses.
The early summer at Eatanic Garden showcases the charm of its identity as a 'botanic garden' at its peak. Many eagerly await this season.
The restaurant's main colors of jade and teal blend perfectly with the lush greenery and clear skies outside, creating an ideal visual harmony. The boundaries between indoors and outdoors blur, making the entire space feel like a massive garden.
The standout seasonal ingredient is undoubtedly the sweet corn. Chef Son Jong-won presents creative dishes like tarts and shaved ice, maximizing the inherent sweetness of the corn and encapsulating the essence of the season on a plate. The flavors are sweet yet light, delicate yet impactful, fulfilling guests' expectations.
Additionally, the illustration cards themed around seasonal ingredients such as young barley, sweetfish, and watermelon are particularly collectible, serving as small artistic tokens that capture the day's memories.
Most impressive is the sensory experience of the season. The lively movements of chefs preparing seasonal vegetables in the open kitchen, combined with the dazzling sunlight pouring in, create the strongest sensation of dining in a 'living botanic garden.'
Early summer at Eatanic Garden is not merely about tasting seasonal menus; it is a moment to experience the pinnacle of fresh and sensory Korean cuisine, a beautiful gift for food enthusiasts.
In the heart of the city, experiencing greenery and tasting the season is how early summer at Eatanic Garden is remembered.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/wlswn2487588/224187166937
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