Woo Lae Oak
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 925-8200
Fax: (212) 925-8232
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Between Prince Street and Houston Street
- Directions:
- N,R, W at Prince St
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 12pm-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11:30pm
Editorial Review for Woo Lae Oak – by Jean Tang
The Scene
As familiar to paparazzi as it is to lovers of good food, Woo Lae Oak has basked in its share of the media spotlight. The loft space--angles of metal and granite warmed by exposed brick--has four sections: a bar that doubles as a coat room, a long dining room housing the open kitchen, banquettes separated by gauzy golden dividers, and a hideaway tatami space upstairs. Servers are informed and polite, even on noisy weekend evenings.
The Food
The restaurant does for Korean food what Jean-Georges did for Thai, dressing it up on a journey around the world. The best dishes are also the most worldly: tiny spinach crepes stuffed with Dungeness crab, nuggets of moist ground rabbit wrapped in bacon, and sweet, fall-apart cod on thickly sliced stage of daikon radish. Traditional dishes get their own section on the menu, including the long list of fresh-marinated meat, fish and vegetables to be self-barbecued.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe "ondol," or private, tatami-style space on the second floor, can be reserved for private parties of up to 85. Call two weeks ahead.
Look GoodOpt for the traditional soju, or sweet potato vodka. Twice the proof of sake, the soju is served in a bamboo decanter over cucumber slices.
The ExtrasThe wine list focuses on the lighter, less structured products of Australia, New Zealand, California and South Africa. There is a whole section of shiraz: Try Frog Rock from Mudgee.
User Reviews for Woo Lae Oak
01/22/2009 Posted by TAMMY81
Excellent service, (some of the most personable servers and bartenders) excellent food, amazing Lychee Martinis! This place is great for a fun, cozy, romantic date or a group! This place had a great vibe and a very cool crowd. YOU SHOULD GO!
01/13/2009 Posted by Dining101
A glorified Korean BBQ restaurant that is overpriced and too snooty for their own good. We were seated 40 minutes late for our reservation and rushed through dinner. The inebriated manager and wait staff are chilly and seem to be in the wrong business. Go to 32nd Street for more authentic Korean food for far less money. There are some new cool places there that easily compete on decor and surpass on the food...BCD Tofu House, Shilla or Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar
Pros: Soho location
Cons: Inept Management & Cold Staff
Users Who Viewed Woo Lae Oak Also Viewed
Bann
350 W 50th St
New York, NY 10019
Madangsui Korean Barbecue
35 West 35th Street
New York, NY 10001
