Cycle 15 – Item 252
13 (Fri) September 2024
Nero di Arancini Friti
3.0
at La Bussola
-Changgok, Sujeong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-
with W and IZ
Try Every Italianish Eatery in Wirye (TEIEW)
La Bussola is an Italian restaurant (“Osteria Italian,” as per the signage). As with the vast majority of Italian joints in Korea, the menu is focused primarily on pasta and pizza, with a steak, and a handful of appetizers, including burrata, which apparently is now a mandatory menu item in Korea (see generally 10.194 Burrata). As far as I’m aware, it is one of the only two non-franchise Italian restaurants in Wirye, along with Ravello (see also 15.162 Rucola Pizza).
The occasion was our 18th wedding anniversary, which was yesterday (Sep 12). W wanted something “fancy,” and this was the best that I could come up with in the neighborhood. But regardless of venue, celebrating the anniversary anywhere was a monumental achievement.
Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani (APN) is a group that certifies authentic Napoli-style pizza.
Similar concept but technically a different thing than Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN), as described in a prior post (see 2.151 Pizza D.O.C.).
Seemed like a big deal 13 years ago, but now that Koreans have largely gotten the hang of it, even amateurs like MtG (see for example 13.285 Wild Rucola Pizza), I don’t think certification makes any difference.
As noted 2 years ago on September 12 (16th) (see 13.250 88 Seoul Beef Burger):
Looking back through GMTD, I was somewhat disappointed but not surprised that only 1 post features a meal in celebration of the special day (see 2.249 Smoked Salmon with Artichoke Hearts and Capers), 1 post describes various events leading up to the wedding but no mention about the wedding anniversary (see 6.250 Guksi), and 2 posts detail arguments that derailed festivities that had been planned (see 3.251 Deep-Fried Smoked Chicken, 12.249 Palbochae).
On September 12 last year (17th), I had a bowl of jjambbong by myself, while waiting for Louis to get a vet exam (see generally 14.250 Samseon Jjambbong).
My only regret (thus far) was the wasted opportunity 3 years ago (15th), when the plan had been to bury a family time capsule at the cabin and celebrate, but didn’t happen as hoped (see 12.249 Palbochae).
If next year (19th) is the final cycle of GMTD, as anticipated, we should definitely do something to go out with a bang.
Overall, the food was okay. Quality ingredients and competent execution, but nothing particularly impressive.
My favorite dish was the arancini. Crispy crust, encasing soft rice infused with squid ink and bits of squid, plus gooey mozzarella. The shaved parmesan generously sprinkled on the plate was entirely unnecessary for the dish itself, yet welcome to pick at after the fact. Way overpriced at 22,500, but why not.
I would’ve enjoyed the meal more had DJ been there with us. W, IZ, and I had left together for the restaurant from home and got there at 18:00. DJ was supposed to meet us there, after some activity at school, but he kept texting us bullshit messages about why he was being delayed – including: “I need to stop at a convenience store to charge my phone” – and showed up at 19:15, as we were on our way out the door.
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