Ansan Italian restaurant, lamb lover's date: French rack & egg tart

Today I'm introducing That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge (그남자의이태리식당&라운지) in Jungangdong, Ansan! I wanted a proper meal somewhere with a nice mood with my boyfriend. I already love lamb chops and eat them often, but this time I was especially curious about the lamb steak and the squid ink risotto, haha.

The place felt really upscale, and even the plating looked carefully thought out, so I was happy with it. If you're looking for a nice restaurant in Jungangdong, Ansan, or a spot for a blind date, a date or an anniversary meal, please check out today's post! 🍽️

Location and opening hours of That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge

That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge is at 40 Gojan 1-gil, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi, on the 6th floor of Dongwon Building. It's open 12:00-22:00 and closed every Monday.

• Address: 40 Gojan 1-gil, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi, 6th floor of Dongwon Building
• Hours: daily 12:00-22:00
• Closed: every Monday
• Reservations, Wi-Fi, group seating, separate men's/women's restrooms, takeout

What's the mood like for a blind date or date in Jungangdong, Ansan?

It felt a bit more formal and refined than a typical casual restaurant. The moment I walked in, the mood was calm and atmospheric, so it would be good for a special-occasion meal too.

It wasn't loud or rowdy, so you can talk at ease while you eat. I especially thought it would be a really good blind date spot! When you meet someone for the first time, the food matters, but you can't ignore the atmosphere either, right? haha The overall formal-restaurant feel seemed great for a calm conversation with the person across from you.

I came for a date with my boyfriend, but I also thought the space would suit a special meal with family. Above all, all the staff were kind and welcoming, so I felt comfortable the whole time.

Bread before the meal

The bread served before the mains was a nice light start. It was plain and nutty, and it whetted the appetite for the meal.

What is the Ulleungdo squid ink risotto like?

The Ulleungdo squid ink risotto, made with squid sent straight from Ulleungdo island, is the restaurant's signature risotto, so I really wanted to try it. A whole grilled squid comes on top of rich ink risotto.

The dark black ink risotto is spread across the plate with a whole grilled squid on top. Broccoli and grilled tomato come alongside, so the colors are pretty and the plating was really striking. The whole squid caught my eye first, and it felt clearly different from an ordinary risotto.

Squid ink risotto is charming for its deep, rich flavor, right? With grilled squid on top, you get the taste of the sea in one plate. Cut the squid into bite-size pieces and eat it with the risotto, and it's a different combination from eating them separately.

Above all, the black risotto with the golden grilled squid looks special, so it's great for photos. I ordered it alongside a meat dish like the lamb steak, so I got to enjoy two dishes with different charms. If you're looking for an unusual risotto in Jungangdong, Ansan, keep an eye on this one!

How was the French rack lamb for someone who eats lamb all the time?

The young-lamb French rack lamb steak had no gamey smell at all, and the meat wasn't tough, just really tender. It was one of the dishes I was looking forward to most this visit, and I liked that you can get a properly done lamb steak here. I heard it uses lamb under 12 months old, which is why it has deep flavor without that typical lamb gaminess.

The plating was lovely from the moment it arrived. Golden grilled lamb with grilled tomato and herbs looked so appetizing.

I eat lamb chops a lot, so I like to think I know my lamb! haha In a word: no gamey smell at all, and the meat wasn't tough, just really tender. Lamb chops have a distinctive flavor that's their charm, but if they're cooked badly they can smell or turn chewy, right? Here, the lamb was tender with no toughness when I chewed, and I was satisfied.

I recommend eating it with the mint jelly sauce

My favorite combination was the mint jelly sauce! Eating the lamb with it, the meat's flavor and the fresh, cool mint came together in a really good balance.

The outside was nicely seared and the meat inside was tender, so I could enjoy the lamb's flavor in a pleasant way.

It has a different charm from eating the lamb plain, so I'd recommend having it with the sauce. 😋 If you like lamb chops, this is worth trying at least once.

Dessert: peach sherbet and an egg tart

Peach sherbet

After the mains, I ordered peach sherbet as a palate cleanser. 🍑 It's a handmade sherbet made by blending peaches with fresh lemon, with a tangy sourness and a gentle sweetness.

Egg tart with Häagen-Dazs ice cream

The last dish is the egg tart with Häagen-Dazs ice cream. 🍨 I heard it's the restaurant's signature dessert: a crispy tart topped with Häagen-Dazs ice cream. An egg tart gives you a crisp shell and a soft filling inside, right? Add the ice cream, and the cold, smooth ice cream joins the tart's nutty sweetness.

Who would I recommend That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge to?

That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge is a good pick in Jungangdong, Ansan, for days you want a meal with atmosphere: dates, blind dates, anniversaries, family dinners. I came for the lamb steak and squid ink risotto, and from the plating to the mood of the place, I was satisfied overall.

The French rack lamb stood out, since even for someone who eats lamb often it was tender with no gamey smell, and I liked it with the mint jelly sauce too. The mood is formal and calm, so it was easy to chat while eating. All the staff were kind, so I felt good the whole time.

Besides dates with a boyfriend, I think it's a fine place for blind dates, anniversaries or family meals when you want something with a bit more atmosphere. If you're looking for a nice restaurant in Jungangdong, Ansan, or want Italian food like pasta and steak, check out That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge too!