I eat at COTE two to three times per week and I pretty much stick to the same order, every time: A big, 3oz tin of Petrossian Classic Duranki Caviar with creme fraiche and toast. Depending on how dangerous I am feeling that day, my drink of choice ranges from a Chopin Family Reserve martini, very dry with olives, a nice bottle of champagne or a really elegant Burgundy or medium bodied red like Bordeaux or Cabernet (steak serves as a great canvas for amazing red wines).
Then I go straight to the meat. Our Butcher’s Feast is a common go-to (if not the steak omakase that day) and I’ll add on some Japanese Sendai A5, which is one of my favourite cuts. I’ll typically end the meal with a glass of Madeira timed with the galbi, a pairing introduced to me by our Executive Director of Beverage, Victoria James. The soy sauce umami and Madeira is truly beautiful together.
ASIAN MOTHERS ARE NOTORIOUSLY HARD TO PLEASE. WHAT DOES YOUR MOTHER THINK OF YOUR RESTAURANT VENTURES?
My parents are definitely what you would expect – always critical and hard to please. In food terms, my mum is the Michelin-starred chef while my dad is the Michelin-star inspector. My dad will go to the restroom and comment that people are using too many napkins and that they’re too expensive, or that the kimchi could be served colder.
So, once I opened COTE Korean Steakhouse, I invited my parents in and asked my dad: “How did you enjoy dinner?” And, to this day, his response is something I will never forget.
He told me: “Simon, look around the room. Look at how many people are happy, enjoying your food and your restaurant. My opinion doesn’t matter as it is one person’s opinion versus countless others’.” That moment really summed it all up for me.
Cote is at 30 Bideford Road, Level 3, COMO Orchard.