Post-wedding family meal at an Ansan Italian restaurant: That Man's

Finding That Man's in Jungang-dong right after an Ansan wedding

I had a wedding to attend in Ansan, and on the way home I searched for restaurants in Ansan Jungang-dong. After the ceremony I was starving and wanted to find somewhere properly good nearby. It was a completely spur-of-the-moment search, but it turned out to be a really satisfying choice. That's That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge.

It sits on the top floor of a building right at the heart of Ansan Rodeo Street. It's been designated an Ansan City recommended restaurant, so I could walk in with some confidence. It's been running since 2016, and you could feel the know-how that comes from staying in business that long. I'd found it on the spur of the moment after the wedding, but with credentials like that, there was no hesitation walking in.

• Name: That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge
• Location: Heart of Ansan Rodeo Street, top floor of the building
• Operating since: 2016
• Hours: 12:00 – 22:00 (last order 21:15)
• Break time: 15:00 – 17:00
• Note: Designated as an Ansan City recommended restaurant

A room table at That Man's with a view of the outdoor garden

The interior at That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge is split between hall tables and room tables. The biggest draw of this place is being able to look out at an outdoor garden while you eat. Dining with a view of a neatly landscaped garden is this restaurant's own kind of charm. We were shown to a room table, and thanks to the green garden visible through the window, it felt relaxed enough that you'd never guess you were in the middle of downtown Ansan.

The four dishes a family of five ordered

The restaurant's motto — cooking as if for their own family and serving as if for the most honored guest — inspired trust before we even opened the menu. We ordered seafood spaghetti (oil), squid ink risotto, wagyu steak, and lamb chop steak. It was exactly the right lineup for a family of five to share, so we didn't spend long agonizing over the menu.

Bread before the meal

Bread came out first, crisp on the outside and moist inside. Dipped in balsamic and olive oil, it built up our anticipation before the main dishes even arrived.

Seafood spaghetti (oil)

The seafood spaghetti (oil) had just the right kick of spice alongside the oil flavor. Shrimp, scallops, and clams were piled on generously, so it looked hearty from the first glance. The noodles carried the oil aroma well, and every piece of seafood was fresh, so it never got greasy and stayed easy to keep eating. The cherry tomatoes added a pop of tanginess that kept the overall balance of flavors alive.

Squid ink risotto

The squid ink risotto grabbed our eyes immediately with its jet-black look. The risotto was cooked to a thick, creamy consistency, and the salty, savory depth unique to squid ink spread all through my mouth. The squid on top was cooked soft and thick, so it had a nice bite too. Scooping up the risotto with the squid on a spoon, the ocean flavor filled my mouth and kept pulling me in for the next bite.

Wagyu steak

The wagyu steak couldn't be skipped either. It was seared golden on the outside while staying pink inside, cooked just right. It broke apart softly the moment I bit into it, with juices seeping out — you could really taste the wagyu's signature marbling. The zucchini and cherry tomatoes served alongside kept it clean and free of any greasiness when eaten together with the steak.

Lamb chop steak with pickles

The lamb chop steak came out neatly plated too. There was no gamey smell at all, the outside was fragrant with herbs, and the inside was cooked moist. Dipping it in the accompanying sauce brought out even more depth of flavor. Everyone in the family was satisfied enough to pick the meat clean off the bone.

The pickles left an impression too. They had a slight kick of spice, so they refreshed the palate between bites. Even after eating rich steak or pasta, one pickle was enough to make the taste buds feel fresh again.

Three desserts to finish

Dessert couldn't be skipped either. Today's sherbet (peach flavor), vanilla ice cream with brownie, and vanilla ice cream on top of an egg tart — the sherbet was refreshing for cleansing the palate, and the brownie finished things off sweetly with rich chocolate flavor paired with ice cream. As for vanilla ice cream on egg tart, need I say more? Every dessert was clean and sweet.

Would we return to That Man's for a family meal?

I'd found this Ansan Jungang-dong restaurant on the spur of the moment, but all five of us in the family ate really well. From pasta to risotto to steak to dessert, every dish felt like it was made with care, like a proper course meal. The atmosphere of eating with a view of the outdoor garden was great too, so I think we'll come back here for the next family gathering.