“Brunch” has been labeled as luxury in Korea. Lovers of bistro food ― called “brunch” by Koreans ― have had to train their appetites to accept small portions served on a big plate.

NOVIA e NOVIO, “girlfriend and boyfriend” in Spanish, is a stylish bistro where people can dine on casual western food with big portions at a relatively low price.

Located in Dogok-dong, Gangnam, the restaurant presents a number of homemade menus, mostly in Italian.

The menu includes the regular sandwiches, salads, pasta, risotto, steaks and desserts. In fact, the menu itself does not seem out of the ordinary, but the taste is quite special. Rich and well-harmonized, each dish has its own style.

Pesce is a large dish of pasta that comes with a large bowl of soup specially designed for the many Koreans who find it difficult to finish pasta with cream sauce. Featuring a variety of seafood and vegetables, Pesce has spiciness, sweetness and richness. Anchovy garlic pasta is another hit item.

On its lunch menu, the restaurant offers NOVIA table burger, roast beef sandwich and smoked salmon sandwich served with salad. For heavy eaters, NOVIA e NOVIO presents steamed sirloin steak with tomato source, large enough to share with two or three people.

The brunch does not end with main dishes. The restaurant offers a variety of desserts that usually includes Haagen-Dazs ice cream, tiramisu and chocolate cake.

Don’t miss a selection of homemade breads including sugar-coated garlic bread and soft baguette with strawberry jam. They are served as appetizers, but you can also take them out on the way home. Pasta dishes start at 15,000 won ($14) and sandwiches at 13,000 won.

Address: Room 120, Woosung Character Ville, Dogok-dong

Telephone: (02) 577-9081

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)