A Romance Encountered in Apgujeong, a Night at Cine de Chef where Cinema and Gastronomy Meet

Beyond a Cinema, an Art: Finding Cine de Chef

These days, with a rather chilly breeze mixed into the air, there are days when I suddenly long for a movie and a thoughtful meal at the same time. On such days, the place that unfailingly comes to mind is 'Cine de Chef' located in Apgujeong, Sinsa-dong. I visited to take a deep breath in the heart of Gangnam and gift myself some time to focus entirely on me. Located at 45, Apgujeong-ro 30-gil, from the moment I entered the entrance, I could feel a calm and sophisticated atmosphere different from the outside.

As you open the door and walk in, the soft interior unfolding under warm lighting melts your heart first. Instead of the hustle and bustle of a typical movie theater, the coziness of a restaurant with about 70 seats welcomed me. It feels more appropriate to describe this place as a 'place to experience a movie' rather than just a place to watch one. The subtle scent of ingredients brushing against the tip of your nose and the soothing music playing in the background create an illusion as if you have stepped into a scene from a movie.

A Time for Gastronomy that Fills the Five Senses

The biggest charm of Cine de Chef is the diverse dining you can enjoy before or after the movie. I found it enjoyable even just to sit at a neatly set table and look through the menu. From grand course meals to sharing plates that are light and easy to enjoy, I thought the menu composition was truly delicate. The savory flavor of the pasta or the juicy scent of the steak heightened my anticipation for the movie to the fullest.

What I liked most was the private space composition. There are 4 dedicated spaces separately prepared for small gatherings, making it an optimal environment to have a meal while talking with precious people. The time spent savoring delicious food while continuing the lingering emotions of the movie remains as a deeper memory than any moment in a fancy travel destination. If you let go of haste and slowly savor every bite, a smile naturally comes to your face at the umami spreading throughout your mouth.

A Night Walk in Apgujeong to Continue the Lingering Emotion

After watching the movie and finishing the meal, the night in Apgujeong was already deepening outside the window. This place is in a location that is convenient to visit by public transport, so there is no burden in enjoying the evening time leisurely. After the meal, try taking a light walk through the alleys around Apgujeong-ro. Small select shops and cafes are emitting soft lights until late at night, making it truly great to walk while feeling the night air.

Personally, I like to visit around 6 PM when the sun starts to set. After appreciating the scenery of Apgujeong on the border between day and night, the process of immersing myself in a movie in the darkened room and eating delicious food puts a perfect period to the day. For anniversaries with precious people, or when you want to gift yourself a slightly special day, I wonder if there is any place better than this.