Italian restaurant in Ansan: Wagyu steak and squid ink risotto

While looking for a relaxed restaurant in Jungang-dong, Ansan, I visited That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge (그남자의이태리식당&라운지). It is an Italian restaurant serving pasta, risotto, steak, wine, and course meals. This time, I ordered the Wagyu skirt steak and squid ink risotto.

How do you get there from Jungang Station?

The restaurant is on the sixth floor of Dongwon Building in Jungang-dong, Ansan. It is about 354 m from Exit 1 of Jungang Station, so the walk did not feel burdensome. I entered the building and took the elevator up to the sixth floor.

At first, judging only by the building exterior, I expected an ordinary restaurant, but the atmosphere changed when I arrived on the sixth floor. Plants were placed at the entrance, which was neatly arranged.

Is the atmosphere suited to dates or family meals?

The interior was decorated in white and black tones. Sunlight came through the large windows, making it brighter and more comfortable than I expected.

I liked the daytime atmosphere at the window seats, where natural light came in.

The tables were not crowded together, and overall it felt like a good place for a quiet meal. Photos also came out neatly, so it seemed suitable for a date or an anniversary meal.

High chairs were available, so families dining with children can eat there as well. There was also an open bar area.

Is there a separate space for group gatherings?

On one side, there was a separate area that could be used for groups of six or more. I was told the private room can accommodate up to 18 people, or about 40 people including the main dining area. It seemed useful for family gatherings, company dinners, or formal meetings between families.

How is the bread served, and what are the menu prices?

When I sat down, the tableware and wet towel were neatly set, and warm bread arrived first. I dipped the soft bread in olive oil and balsamic vinegar while waiting for the main dishes. The bread is complimentary, and I was told refills are available on request.

I looked over the menu and waited at an easy pace, having the bread with a drink.

I ordered the AA9+ Wagyu skirt steak for ₩43,900 and the squid ink risotto with squid shipped directly from Ulleungdo for ₩23,900.

What were the doneness and texture of the Wagyu skirt steak?

The steak used Australian AA9+ Wagyu skirt steak, and I ordered it medium-well. The large steak came with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and grilled vegetables.

When I cut into it, the inside still had juices, so it was moist. It had the deep beefy aroma characteristic of skirt steak and was less tough than I expected, making it easy to eat. A little salt or whole-grain mustard gave it a different flavor.

The mushrooms and grilled vegetables served as garnish also went well between bites of steak.

Did the squid ink risotto pair well with the steak?

Large pieces of squid from Ulleungdo sat on top of the black squid ink risotto. The whole grilled squid was the first thing that caught my eye.

It had the nutty flavor and deep savoriness characteristic of squid ink. The rice grains retained their texture, while the grilled squid was chewy but fairly tender.

Ordering it with the steak made for a good combination, since I could enjoy meat and seafood together. During my visit, the restaurant was also holding a seasonal postcard giveaway, which added a small bit of fun.

What are the hours and parking support?

Here are the operating hours and parking details provided at the time of my visit.

• Address: 40 Gojan 1-gil, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, 6th floor of Dongwon Building
• Hours: Tue–Sun 12:00–22:00; closed every Monday
• Break time: 15:00–17:00; last order: 21:00
• Public parking lot in front of Dongwon Building: one hour of support after registering your vehicle number
• Lotte Cinema Central Rock parking: I was told ₩2,000 in cash support may also be available when using it.