Restaurant Dexter (레스토랑 덱스터): Underground Hideout for French Fares
Seoul’s Gangnam district is infamous for its opulent bars and restaurants, art galleries, and upscale boutiques. A lot of this wealth is concentrated within the neighborhood (or “dong”) of Cheongdam, where many celebrities and affluent individuals have chosen to reside. In my opinion, the best way to experience this elite lifestyle is through food and wine. That being said, I recommend Dexter. This establishment is a charming destination for well-crafted French dishes and an incredible wine menu all within the comforts of a… basement?
A small sign at street level welcomes curious bystanders into an unassuming commercial building. There’s a set of stairs leading downward into the shadows of this gastronomic hideout. When we arrived, Dexter exuded a dark, intimate atmosphere with furniture reminiscent of a classy French bistro. Naturally, the vibe was calm and slow-paced, which is ideal for a wine night or a dinner date.
Dexter’s cuisine was labeled as French but it feels more like modern European. After doing some research on Naver (the equivalent of a Korean Google), some of the crowd favorites include Bavette Steak made with Australian Wagyu or a generous serving of sweet Prawn Ceviche. Many people are also recommended the Caviar Potato Pancake, which reminds me of the 15-hour Potato recipe but topped with two semi-circles of scallion and caviar.
For this visit, Annie and I wanted a light dinner so we ordered a Parisienne Gnocchi, Steak Au Poivre, and a bottle of Syrah. Everything we got, including the complimentary Lettuce Salad, were all prepared very well. In terms of value, it’s a little pricey but expected given the quality of the food. I would say that the cost is roughly the same as what I would pay for the same caliber of restaurant in New York.
It’s clear that Dexter has a reliable formula for each plate as well as the appropriate wine catalog for maximizing flavor and happiness. For our next visit, Annie and I will definitely want to try some of their other popular dishes too!
The atmosphere is dimly lit with a classic vibe. The bar seats look comfortable if you are just having wine but the table seating is probably better for meals.
This 2015 “Sambrena” Syrah was a full-bodied, dry red with notes of black fruit.
[109,000 WON]
Parisienne Gnocchi. The interior had a soft, doughy texture while the exterior was firm and mildly toasted. These starchy pillows were drizzled with sage and brown butter before being topped with black truffle shavings.
[28,000 WON]
Steak au Poivre. The steak was made with Wagyu Filet Mignon. As you can see in the picture, the meat was properly tied. This helps keep the shape of the meat so it cooks evenly. The steak also came with a mushroom purée and was placed in a pool of creamy pepper sauce.
[55,000 WON]
