Eats and Drinks
Best New Restaurant
Soo’s Kimchee House
Christopher Myers
Best New Restaurant: Soo's Kimchee House
11 W. Preston St., (410) 234-1377
Not a banner year, to say the least. Among the noteworthy openings were Ristorante Due Isole, which provided great, hearty food in a dull atmosphere (the original chef has moved on), and Nick’s Fish House, which created an unparalleled waterside setting but whose kitchen is still something of a work in progress. Soo’s Kimchee House was this year’s most welcome newcomer. Its hippie-colorful dining room, adorned with monster house plants and hand-braided rugs, enhances the enjoyment of Soo Kim’s personally tended cuisine, which layers a Berkeley-esque concern for healthful cooking onto arousing and exotic ingredients. The result: nourishing and attractive soups, noodle-based entrées, sushi, and essential Korean specialties like bibimbob and bulgogi. Kimchi dumplings are a must.
Other Awards for Best New Restaurant:
Mekong Delta, 9/16/2009
Woodberry Kitchen, 9/17/2008
Rocket to Venus, 9/19/2007
Salt, 9/20/2006
Pazo, 9/21/2005
Kali's Court Mezze, 9/17/2003
Chameleon Café, 9/18/2002
Blue Agave Restaurante y Tequileria, 9/19/2001
The Bicycle, 9/13/2000
Atlantic, 9/15/1999
Holy Frijoles, 9/18/1996
