This bar always has design in mind

Where else in Seoul but Bar 0l0l can you enjoy bruschetta and Ethiopian coffee while sitting amid an ensemble of orange Ron Arad Tom Vac chairs and matching flowers on the table?
Bar 0l0l (the Korean name reads “ee”) is tucked behind the Blue House and has been drawing a steady crowd of young professionals since it opened six months ago. It’s stylish for a reason; its owner runs a design company, also called 0l0l, which specializes in corporate identity and interior design.
Bar 0l0l only offers sandwiches, coffee and wine. The limited menu allows the kitchen to make sure every dish is properly made and served in a relaxed atmosphere. Bar 0101 was born as a high-concept design project, and everything from the restaurant’s interior to the food’s presentation exudes high style.
Bar 0101 stocks about 900 wines in its cellar; the wine list reads like a distributor’s catalog. The bar strives to serve affordable, sophisticated wines with focus on vintages from the Tuscany and Veneto regions of Italy. The resident sommelier can also recommend wines from Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Romania, Chile and the United States ― all for less than 100,000 won ($80).
To accompany almost any bottle of wine, try a cheese plate with parmesan, grana padano and brie for 20,000 won.
Bar 0101’s April special is bruschetta. Three thick slices of sunflower-seed baguette from the Seoul Hilton bakery are toasted golden brown, rubbed with fresh garlic, brushed with olive oil, topped with heaps of chopped tomatoes, anchovies, capers and shredded arugula. This savory treat with the taste of spring costs 7,800 won.
Also on the menu is an avocado sandwich (7,000 won), made of toasted ciabatta with slices of avocado, tomato and onion.
The coffee is superb. The bar houses a small coffee roaster and the barista roasts fresh beans daily. Real coffee aficionados can enjoy a fresh brewed cup of Ethiopian coffee (6,000 won), Italian espresso (5,000 won) or coffee with Sambuca, an Italian liqueur with an anise taste (7,500 won). Coffee refills are just 1,000 won.

Bar 0l0l
Theme: Gourmet sandwiches, coffee and wine
Telephone: (02) 723-1259
Address: 124-2 Samcheong-dong, behind the Blue House
Hours: 10 a.m. - 1 a.m.
daily, except Tuesdays
Credit cards: Accepted
Parking: A few spots in front of the restaurant

by Ines Cho