One of the most eagerly anticipated new restaurants of the fall has finally opened its doors.

Hwaro with the circular chef’s counter in the Theater District opening yesterday. Leading the kitchen at the 22-seat Korean spot is none other than Sungchul Shim—one of our fine-dining rising stars in 2024—a Michelin-starred toque known for his creations at Kochi, Mari, and Gui Steakhouse.

And you can find Hwaro nestled within the walls of Gui Steakhouse. The fine-dining locale, named after the traditional Korean brazier, is an intimate space designed with warm wood tones, marble countertops, handcrafted details from the country’s artistic traditions (such as jagae, a Korean mother-of-pearl inlay and a variety of ceramics and glassware), and a custom Molenti grill suite that helps you catch a glimpse at Shim in action as he whips up his creations.

As far as cuisine, the 13-course (priced at $295 per person) includes a variety of dishes that show off cornerstones of Korean cooking, such as charcoal grilling and fermentation, and also take inspiration from areas across East Asia. Here, ingredients from the land and sea come together, meaning you’ll get to enjoy scallop with truffle, pine nut, makgeolli, and soy milk as well mushroom pie. Other offerings include golden eye snapper with squash blossom, baby zucchini, and smoked pine tree broth, A5 Wagyu duck with ganjang aged for 15 years, and a citrus posset with tangerine and lemon. Cocktails from bar manager Gelo Honrade will also feature Asian ingredients, too, creating the ultimate pairing throughout the tasting-menu experience; and, of course, there will be plenty of wine options as well.

Shim has made quite the statement on the N.Y.C. restaurant scene. The South Korean ventured to the city back in 2005, learning from kitchens at Le Bernardin and Per Se, among others. In 2019, he opened his first spot, Kochi, where he earned a Michelin star, and has opened a series of eateries since. Hwaro, the latest addition to Shim’s roster, is now open, and you can find it at 766 8^th Ave in the Big Apple. To snag a reservation at the new spot for yourself, head over to Tock. Happy dining.