Ansan Italian restaurant with a toddler: meatball gratin, That Man's

Looking for a restaurant with great atmosphere in Ansan's Jungang-dong? This time I visited with my wife and 2-year-old baby to check out 'That Man's Italian Restaurant,' famous as a pasta spot in the area.

Run by a chef with 20 years of experience, the food was excellent, and the emotional rooftop mood made it easy to see why it's popular for blind dates and anniversaries. A dinner that really delivered on both fronts.

Can you bring a baby to That Man's Italian Restaurant in Ansan's Jungang-dong?

Here's the quick summary of the visit.

• The deep flavor of under-12-month French rack lamb and authentic carbonara
• A stylish rooftop interior and outdoor terrace with quiet jazz playing
• A yes-kids-zone fully equipped with baby chair and dishware, no stress for family meals

Located near Ansan Jungang-dong's Rodeo Street, this place has great transit access and reliable parking support, so the first impression was already very satisfying.

Inside That Man's Italian Restaurant: polished interior and a romantic rooftop

The moment I walked in, the luxurious wainscoted walls and clean marble floors stood out. The overall grey-toned, calm interior paired with dimmed mood lighting made me think it would be perfect for a blind date or a first date.

Every table had a tablet menu, making ordering easy, and since I requested it in advance when booking, they had a white baby chair neatly set up for our 2-year-old. The soft light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows made the space look even more spacious and pleasant.

The highlight of this place is definitely the rooftop outdoor space. The wooden-deck terrace has rows of flower beds planted with pretty flowers, and at night the lights come on, great for enjoying Ansan's night view.

Our baby also seemed to love the open outdoor space, staring around happily for quite a while. It looked like a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine in a cool breeze on an anniversary or special occasion.

Dinner at That Man's starts with the bread service

After we sat down and ordered, warm, freshly baked pre-meal bread was served. It was focaccia-style — crispy outside, fluffy inside — and dipping it in olive oil and balsamic sauce was more than enough to whet the appetite.

The lighting created a jewel-like pattern over the table, so the food photos came out really pretty. Even the pre-meal bread felt carefully made, which raised my expectations for the dishes to come. Best of all, our baby ate it happily with no fuss, which made me feel good.

Handmade meatball gratin, 20,900 won, shared with a 2-year-old

The first main dish to arrive was the 'handmade meatball gratin.' At ₩20,900, it came packed with substantial, well-filled meatballs — worth every won.

The tanginess of the tomato sauce and the savoriness of the cheese balanced each other well, and piling the thick sauce and meatballs onto the baguette that came with it gave an incredible depth of flavor.

They thoughtfully provided baby-specific dishware, and best of all, it wasn't too strong-flavored for the baby to eat, which made it a fine choice for a family meal out.

Carbonara spaghetti, 17,900 won: the best pasta in Jungang-dong, Ansan

Next up was the 'carbonara spaghetti (₩17,900).' Instead of the usual heavy-cream style you often see, it had an authentic look with a rich flavor of egg yolk and cheese.

The snow-like cheese and parsley powder sprinkled on top added visual appeal too. Twirling it onto the fork and taking a bite, savoriness spread through my mouth. The noodles were cooked to just the right texture, giving a satisfying bite.

The portion was more generous than expected, plenty for my wife and me to share. I thought it lived up to its reputation as one of the pasta spots to know in Ansan Jungang-dong.

Well-done lamb chop steak and the free egg tart dessert

The highlight of the day was, of course, the 'lamb chop steak.' We asked for it well-done and added an extra piece of lamb, ordering a total of ₩66,800.

Maybe because they use French rack lamb under 12 months old, there was no gamey smell at all, and the garnishes cooked alongside it kept the vegetables' natural sweetness intact. The chef's control over doneness really stood out.

I picked up a well-cooked piece of lamb chop, added a touch of whole grain mustard, and tasted it. The juices and the savory fat filled my mouth — truly excellent. It tasted like the chef's pride in using only top-grade Australian wagyu and carefully selected lamb.

The meal wrapped up with a dessert of egg tart topped with vanilla ice cream. The combination of crisp pastry and cool, sweet ice cream ended the meal on a great note. Also worth noting — it's free if you leave a Naver receipt review, haha.

That Man's Italian Restaurant: visit info, prices and booking tips

That Man's Italian Restaurant checks all three boxes: taste, atmosphere, and service. It also has a private room that fits up to 18 people, so it looks like a solid option for family gatherings or meeting the in-laws too.

If you want to spend quality time with someone special, or enjoy rich Italian food with a glass of wine in Ansan Jungang-dong, definitely check this place out. Having experienced it firsthand, I'm confident it's a choice you won't regret.