When asked about Korean food, most people will immediately reference Korean barbecue, which, while delicious, can be a little heavy for a date night. Enter Mari, which means “roll” in Korean. Here, Sunchul Shim, who also owns Kochi just down the street, has reimagined the Japanese handroll with Korean flavors. Delectable pairings include ssamjang-marinated pork belly, umami mushrooms topped with soy sauce, and amberjack rice with mustard and egg yolk. Sit around the sleek bar and have the tasting menu. You’ll notice a lot of the patrons dining there alone, which, as any restaurant buff knows, is a very good sign. —Elena Clavarino

Elena Clavarino is the Senior Editor at AIR MAIL