"This sleek, black-and-grey modern Korean restaurant has the vibe of a restaurant in a much larger city, likely due to chef Joe Kim’s time at Michelin-starred big-city restaurants like the French Laundry and Alinea. Kim has been a three-time James Beard semifinalist for his creative and meticulously executed dishes. All of this is evident in the 7-course swoon-worthy prix fix dinner (order 24 hours in advance). Highlights include five appetizers like wagyu and a creative “spider” with kimchi cotton candy over pork skin and sea urchin, truffle noodle soup where noodles come to life at the table, and Kkoli Rose Tteok—lobster tail in creamy gochujang and chewy rice cakes that is a spiritual experience. Lunch and dinner patrons can choose from elevated Korean staples like bibimbap served in a hot granite dolsot bowl or ssam with a plethora of house-fermented kimchi." - Barb Gonzalez