Gangnam Italian brunch restaurant: squid ink risotto at Casamil

Rather than somewhere overly hectic, I was looking for a brunch restaurant where we could chat away and relax, and that led me to Casamil Sinsa Garosu-gil (까사밀 신사가로수길), a Sinsa Station brunch spot people rave about! It is on the first floor of a hotel, so it had an upscale mood, a green view through its full-height windows, and delicious food—everything was perfect ㅠㅠ haha.

Getting to Casamil from Sinsa Station and visitor information

From Exit 6 of Sinsa Station, walk 7–8 minutes into a quiet alley off Garosu-gil and you will spot Casamil on the first floor of La Casa Hotel! Being slightly away from the busy main shopping streets gave it such a peaceful, unhurried feel—I loved it before even walking in. Even if you bring a car, you can conveniently leave it with the valet in front, which makes it a great stop on a Gangnam date route.

They also offer a professional sommelier, wine pairing, and free corkage.

A relaxed atmosphere created by the Glass Garden and full-height windows

As I approached the entrance, the lush landscaping and the Glass Garden, an exotic glass greenhouse, immediately caught my eye. It operates as a separate private space that can be reserved for visits with dogs, so if you are coming with your pup, be sure to check it when making a Naver reservation.

A neat banner at the entrance showed the good-value weekday lunch course (₩39,000) and limited menus at a glance.

The moment we opened the door and stepped inside, the high ceiling and natural light streaming through the full-height windows made the room feel wonderfully open. With green trees visible outside, it felt as though we had come for brunch at a European resort restaurant, even though we were right in the middle of the city~!

The wood furniture and rattan chairs were especially stylish, haha. Totally my taste..! The tables were also generously spaced apart, so it was nice for a private conversation~

Choosing the weekday lunch course

Once seated, we conveniently browsed the menu on the tablet set out on the table.

There was such a varied lineup—fresh salads, traditional wood-fired pizza, pasta, risotto, and steak—so choosing was fun. What did we pick? The weekday lunch course for 2 at ₩39,000 per person! If you come at lunchtime, you have to enjoy the lunch course, right?

Appetizers: bread, soup, and salad

After we ordered, warm pre-meal bread arrived first. Sweet honey and crispy fried onion chips were sprinkled over bread that was crisp outside and fluffy within; the more I chewed, the more its gently sweet-and-salty flavor came through and whetted my appetite.

Next came a smooth cream soup, lightly finished with olive oil and herbs, which felt warm and comforting. Dipping the pre-meal bread into the soup was such a great combination, haha. They really know their soup ㅠㅠ

We also enjoyed a salad generously filled with fresh vegetables, boiled egg, cherry tomatoes, crisp croutons, and a fluffy snowfall-like mound of grated cheese! The dressing was not overpowering, so the vegetables' naturally crisp, fresh texture still shone through—perfect for a reset.

Seafood pasta and whole squid ink risotto

Seafood tomato pasta

Then one of the day's mains, the seafood tomato pasta, arrived! It was generously loaded with seafood including shrimp, mussels, and clams, while the tomato sauce's rich, clean acidity worked beautifully with the seafood's savory flavor. The noodles were cooked to just the right al dente texture too, with the sauce clinging nicely rather than sitting separately!

Paired with the mild, crisp-and-tangy house-made radish pickles, we could enjoy it cleanly without getting tired of it right to the final bite, haha.

Whole squid ink risotto

And then, the long-awaited whole squid ink risotto that so many people call their ultimate favorite menu item..!!

A whole grilled squid was placed right in the center of the plate, and the presentation alone was a showstopper.. wow. The black ink base came with a smooth cream cheese sauce and crisp fried toppings, filling the dish with nutty flavorㅠㅠ

From its tentacles to its body, the squid was lightly infused with buttery flavor, becoming chewy yet tender with every bite. The thick squid ink risotto was packed with mozzarella, so soft strands of cheese stretched every time I lifted a spoonful.

The deep savory flavor of the ink and cream cheese had soaked into every grain of rice, showing the height of nuttiness without becoming heavy. It was the kind of flavor that instantly made me understand why this is their signature dish!

Finishing with yogurt ice cream

After the meal, dessert simply could not be skipped for the perfect finish, haha. The tangy-sweet, richly flavored house-made yogurt ice cream came topped with crunchy chopped nuts, and it cleared the palate so refreshingly—just perfect for a reset.

With a warm Americano full of depth and fragrant herbal tea, we looked out the window and felt so happy to enjoy total relaxation right here, without needing to move on to find a separate café~~

My thoughts on Casamil

• A date-perfect atmosphere with fresh natural light and atmospheric azulejo tile interiors
• Gentle Italian brunch that lets the natural flavors of fresh ingredients shine
• Wide table spacing, friendly service, convenient valet parking, and easy group reservations
• A private standalone date space where dogs are welcome

With atmosphere, flavor, and service all in place, I would strongly recommend it not only for a Garosu-gil date with your partner, but also for a blind date, a gathering with friends, or a wedding-invitation gathering on a special day! If you want a relaxed meal in a truly lovely setting, be sure to visit Casamil Sinsa Garosu-gil at least once!