Woo Lae Oak

10/04/04

An enormous menu of Korean fare (including unusual barbecue options) in an upscale suburban spot.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
A predominantly Asian audience flocks to this large, upscale link in an international chain, with warm wood decor, a rotunda ceiling in the main room and plush horseshoe booths. While built-in grills grace most tables, the staff does the grilling for you. Service is friendly, though you may encounter a language barrier.

The Food
The exhaustive Korean menu with many intriguing options is almost universally well-executed--compensating for higher prices and smaller portions compared to most neighborhood Korean spots. Barbecue options abound, with the usual suspects (with various savory and pickled sides, plus lettuce wraps) and then some (scallops, tripe, liver, black boar). Traditional hot pots (beef, seafood, vegetarian) are also cooked at the table. Appealing oddities include giant clams with custardy breading and rib-sticking abalone-rice porridge. The star of the show is the chef's special black cod with vegetables, an exotic and delectable dish in a kicky pepper paste-based sauce.

01/19/03

Great

by livetoeat8 at Citysearch

Woo Lae Oak chains do not have the same menu. There is one particular item that I was looking forward to but the Chicago Restaurant did not have.

Atmosphere and service was excellent but a little bit on the steep side.

• Pros: Service, Atmosphere
• Cons: Price, Quantity