Uptempo uptempo

Uptempo is a wine- and whisky-centered dining bar on the first floor of 36 Hoenamu-ro 42-gil in Yongsan, Seoul. Indoor seats look outside through a large window, while the terrace faces the cityscape in the direction of Namsan Tower and shows the changing light around sunset. The Uptempo steak pairs 150 grams of first-grade Korean striploin with mashed potato, Brussels sprouts, arugula, and pepper drops. Shrimp rosé pasta combines linguine and shrimp with rosé sauce, button mushrooms, and oyster mushrooms. The shrimp lemon pasta uses linguine with shrimp, lemon, parsley, garlic, and Pecorino Romano. Although both pastas use shrimp and linguine, diners can choose between a tomato-and-cream rosé sauce with mushrooms and a brighter combination built around lemon, garlic, herbs, and aged cheese. Pad kra pao rice places minced pork, green beans, egg, radicchio, and lime over brown rice. It provides a rice-based main in contrast to the steak and pasta, with lime available to sharpen the seasoning. Uptempo Neapolitan, salmon ceviche, quesadillas, and Caesar salad add further savory plates. The ceviche provides a cold seafood dish, while the quesadilla and salad can be shared alongside a larger main. A cheese and seasonal-fruit board includes Brie, smoked cheese, Gouda, spicy pecans, and fruit, bringing several cheese styles and a sweet component together on one plate. Desserts include Basque cheesecake, vanilla ice cream finished with olive oil, salt, pepper, and caramel popcorn, and an affogato made with whisky. A meal can consequently progress from steak, pasta, or rice to a cheese plate or dessert while staying within the bar's focus on wine and whisky.