She caught me staring from the corner of my eye. I quickly turned away nervously and looked down with a slight smile. This happened a couple times through the evening until she just walked over and looked dead in my eyes. This time, I couldn’t avoid eye contact.
“Come here often?”
“Umm, no, I’m not from here,” I replied awkwardly.
“How did you find us?”
“Well, I’m a foodie, and I’m discovering new cool places all the time. And I drawn by the cool music and hip crowd.”
“Well, good, I’m glad you found us – Lost and Found.”
“So how long have you been working here?”
“As long as the place been open since last fall. What’s your thoughts?”
“It’s an interesting spot with a lot of feminine touch. Can’t decide whether if it’s a bar or club.”
“Neither. It’s like a nightclub with VIP tables and speciality cocktails. It’s like a bar cuz we’ve got the Hornets on the big screen. But really it’s more like a lounge – an awesome place to chillax and meet new people.”
I looked around at the living room style seating area and millennials enjoying exotic beverages in the patio soaking up the sun.
“Can’t agree with you more. This is quite a rad spot.”
“So glad you like it. I’m Amber by the way.”
“Oh, Chito.” I replied abashedly, realizing I had turned into a nervous wreck. I reached out to shake her hand and she returned it gracefully, tickling her fingers in my palm.
I continued to sip on my soju vodka while gazing in awe at the people coming and going.
Next I went across the street at the Seoul Food Meat Company.
The interior was stylish and relaxing with rope lights hanging from the ceiling.
The menu was simple and interesting. We pick the meats and the sides and everything is shared. Amber ordered the fried tilapia with sesame seeds and tempura sauce and corn on the cob with parmesan cheese. I ordered the smoked brisket and the fire chicken – kimchi hot and smothered in mozzarella cheese.
And of course more soju. She had the strawberry-flavored and I drank my straight up. It was mild and fairly neutral with no after taste. Soju definitely goes where vodka cannot tread.