I really like this restaurant! The food is high quality and the experience is fine dining but fun/relaxed.The menu is composed of bits of familiar recipes with Korean twists and French culinary techniques. There’s galbi, squid ink fried rice, uni, and mäd toast (which sounded monstrous but I didn’t get to try it this time) plus much more. I liked that the menu is small-sized and minimalist with clearly labeled snacks, little colds, hots, mains, extras, and desserts (menu is posted outside the entrance and on website). The current menu that started in mid-March has snacks/appetizers such as spicy yellowtail tart, beef tartare, fried shiitake mushroom rice balls (I think?, it’s labeled as mushroom arancini on the menu), pork head katsu, and scallion buns with unique sauces on the side ($20 per person, either no one or everyone orders). I tried the mushroom tempura with onion dip too! Everything was elegantly and adorably plated. Our server explained what’s what and suggested how to best enjoy some dishes. They have a really extensive drinks menu (many pages), complete with your usual offerings and their own unique cocktails, rice alcohol, maekgeolli, and even alcohol free cocktails woohoo! Not sure if all of the ice cubes for the alcoholic drinks are engraved with the restaurant’s name and logo but ours were and I thought that was a really cool and personal touch.An equally important part of my dining experience was the atmosphere and service. The staff are attentive, frequently filling glasses low on water and folding napkins when you step away. They also keep the music bopping and adjust their playlists. The lighting is a little dim and the interior is ‘cool club’ vibes but for a slightly more sophisticated audience. It’s a place to come in casual or dressed up a little for fun. It’s best for smaller groups of 1-4 I think based on seating arrangements but they seem to be able to accommodate slightly larger groups at some bigger tables and in the back room. Expect to pay $50-$100 if you get one item from each category on the menu and a drink. Probably $100+ if you get more or multiple drinks. The bar area in the back is across from the kitchen, which might be cool to peek at to see some staff members curating orders.I like that it’s on a quieter block in ktown area. The price range and location filters out loud and teen crowds, so it feels like a great place for young adults and Millenials to catch up or go on a date. It’s a place to sit down and chat while you savor small bites and wait on more food to arrive, so you’ll probably need like 1.5-2 hours if you’re going for a natural relaxed pace. I also saw a family of 5 enjoying dinner together here. Lastly, this is random but the hand soap is heavenly. I can’t wait to see what other menus they craft!!Dietary restrictions: They will ask about dietary restrictions and can modify recipes. If you don’t eat certain ingredients/foods, they can omit snacks too and adjust the price for you accordingly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Prime Galbi, Beef Tartare
Tony Di Stasi
In one word: Wow! Tried just about the entire menu with a group and we didn’t have one bad bite. The flavors and textures were next level. Can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Signature Mad Toast, Steak Tartare, Prime Galbi
Chalet Saunton
Wonderful, If the late lamented Anthony Bourdain was with us, he's surely have
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dildora Makhadbokieva
Fabulous ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Snacks for the Table, Sour Cream and Onion, Seasonal Truffle 4g, Steak Tartare, Tempura Soft Shell Crab, Prime Galbi, Beef Tartare, Wagyu Caviar
Vicki Siolos
I would give this place 5 stars if it wasn't for the fact that the vibe = blaring pop music. The food and plating is out of this world, but we could barely hear the server explain our dishes to us. If this is an elevated dining experience, then why am I listening to Justin Bieber and The Weeknd? I don't need to hear an autotuned artist sing about how they feel most authentic when they're high while paying that kind of bill. When your customers are adults, maybe treat them that way?
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 4
Adrian Ciesielski
A beautiful little restaurant that packs a punch. We were meant to do their restaurant week menu but found that going off menu was simply betterNothing to criticize, a must try
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: American Wagyu, Yellow Tail
Jenn Liu
we ordered the snacks, scallop, galbi (our personal fav dish of the night), mandoo, and their noodles (i forgot what it’s called ?). all super delish! the service was definitely michelin star level, they always checked in on us and entertained :). but would def order more of the galbi and swapped out with something we got just because it was THAT good!! perf date spot if you like korean fushion food :-).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Snacks for the Table
Sara M.
Great food. Came for the restaurant week dinner but will definitely come back next time to try the other food items.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kayla Johnson
My friends and I dined here on Sunday night right at open. we ordered 6 dishes (family style) for a group of 5. In foresight we probably needed 3-4 dishes each but we weren’t exactly aware of the portions though our server did warn us in some respect. Our server(s) Alex and Eamon? were fantastic, super professional, attentive though not overbearing, pushy or rushing us. We had multiple servers taking care of everything at the table, ensuring efficiency and attention to detail.About the food itself, absolutely phenomenal, a very distinct and unique culinary experience. We had prime galbi (a huge highlight), it was super juicy and flavorful, yellowtail and tuna which were also outstanding, lobster and squid ink octopus fried rice! All were inventive, plated beautifully, exquisite, but very very small. Wish we stayed for dessert I’ve heard amazing things but we realized we needed more food and because of the limited menu, we got more dinner after.Come here for a culinary experience but maybe not to get full (unless they have a special menu) also drinks were amazing and wine selection is as it should be!
I feel like since I moved back to NYC there’s been a wave of incredible and innovative Korean restaurants opening up and I’m so glad! I enjoyed everything about LittleMad. Nice tasteful yet relaxed atmosphere, excellent service, and most importantly great food. I started off with their tasting of snacks - four delightful bites that were the perfect way to start. Everything after was wonderful - the signature yellow tail pond, maitake mushroom dip, and Galvani all hit it out of the park for me. Also they have an excellent cocktail menu - the espresso/amaretto martini with truffles is wow!!!
Yu Hang Lin
I like ktown better
frank
I had to ask for water 4 times for them to bring it to me otherwise I would be waiting until now for hot water something as simple as that!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Lucy Tang
The entire experience felt like an extravagant performance and art exhibit of finely-crafted dishes. The staff were highly skilled in providing details and curating food that are unique, delicious, and beautiful. The bartender made some of the most perfectly balanced cocktails. The dishes came out in an order that made it seem like they were in different acts of a play. They had themes and were quite fun and interactive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Earl Grey Shaved Ice
Wesley Turner-Harris
What a delightful experience. Delicious food, presented delicately and precisely for each dish. A very thoughtful progression. Definitely opt for the wine pairing. We also started with amazingly balanced cocktails.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Tartare, Prime Galbi, Duck Breast, Grilled Octopus
Inventive takes on Korean food. Worth a
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
I really like this restaurant! The food is high quality and the experience is fine dining but fun/relaxed.The menu is composed of bits of familiar recipes with Korean twists and French culinary techniques. There’s galbi, squid ink fried rice, uni, and mäd toast (which sounded monstrous but I didn’t get to try it this time) plus much more. I liked that the menu is small-sized and minimalist with clearly labeled snacks, little colds, hots, mains, extras, and desserts (menu is posted outside the entrance and on website). The current menu that started in mid-March has snacks/appetizers such as spicy yellowtail tart, beef tartare, fried shiitake mushroom rice balls (I think?, it’s labeled as mushroom arancini on the menu), pork head katsu, and scallion buns with unique sauces on the side ($20 per person, either no one or everyone orders). I tried the mushroom tempura with onion dip too! Everything was elegantly and adorably plated. Our server explained what’s what and suggested how to best enjoy some dishes. They have a really extensive drinks menu (many pages), complete with your usual offerings and their own unique cocktails, rice alcohol, maekgeolli, and even alcohol free cocktails woohoo! Not sure if all of the ice cubes for the alcoholic drinks are engraved with the restaurant’s name and logo but ours were and I thought that was a really cool and personal touch.An equally important part of my dining experience was the atmosphere and service. The staff are attentive, frequently filling glasses low on water and folding napkins when you step away. They also keep the music bopping and adjust their playlists. The lighting is a little dim and the interior is ‘cool club’ vibes but for a slightly more sophisticated audience. It’s a place to come in casual or dressed up a little for fun. It’s best for smaller groups of 1-4 I think based on seating arrangements but they seem to be able to accommodate slightly larger groups at some bigger tables and in the back room. Expect to pay $50-$100 if you get one item from each category on the menu and a drink. Probably $100+ if you get more or multiple drinks. The bar area in the back is across from the kitchen, which might be cool to peek at to see some staff members curating orders.I like that it’s on a quieter block in ktown area. The price range and location filters out loud and teen crowds, so it feels like a great place for young adults and Millenials to catch up or go on a date. It’s a place to sit down and chat while you savor small bites and wait on more food to arrive, so you’ll probably need like 1.5-2 hours if you’re going for a natural relaxed pace. I also saw a family of 5 enjoying dinner together here. Lastly, this is random but the hand soap is heavenly. I can’t wait to see what other menus they craft!!Dietary restrictions: They will ask about dietary restrictions and can modify recipes. If you don’t eat certain ingredients/foods, they can omit snacks too and adjust the price for you accordingly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Prime Galbi, Beef Tartare
In one word: Wow! Tried just about the entire menu with a group and we didn’t have one bad bite. The flavors and textures were next level. Can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Signature Mad Toast, Steak Tartare, Prime Galbi
Wonderful, If the late lamented Anthony Bourdain was with us, he's surely have
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fabulous ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Snacks for the Table, Sour Cream and Onion, Seasonal Truffle 4g, Steak Tartare, Tempura Soft Shell Crab, Prime Galbi, Beef Tartare, Wagyu Caviar
I would give this place 5 stars if it wasn't for the fact that the vibe = blaring pop music. The food and plating is out of this world, but we could barely hear the server explain our dishes to us. If this is an elevated dining experience, then why am I listening to Justin Bieber and The Weeknd? I don't need to hear an autotuned artist sing about how they feel most authentic when they're high while paying that kind of bill. When your customers are adults, maybe treat them that way?
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 4
A beautiful little restaurant that packs a punch. We were meant to do their restaurant week menu but found that going off menu was simply betterNothing to criticize, a must try
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: American Wagyu, Yellow Tail
we ordered the snacks, scallop, galbi (our personal fav dish of the night), mandoo, and their noodles (i forgot what it’s called ?). all super delish! the service was definitely michelin star level, they always checked in on us and entertained :). but would def order more of the galbi and swapped out with something we got just because it was THAT good!! perf date spot if you like korean fushion food :-).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Snacks for the Table
Great food. Came for the restaurant week dinner but will definitely come back next time to try the other food items.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My friends and I dined here on Sunday night right at open. we ordered 6 dishes (family style) for a group of 5. In foresight we probably needed 3-4 dishes each but we weren’t exactly aware of the portions though our server did warn us in some respect. Our server(s) Alex and Eamon? were fantastic, super professional, attentive though not overbearing, pushy or rushing us. We had multiple servers taking care of everything at the table, ensuring efficiency and attention to detail.About the food itself, absolutely phenomenal, a very distinct and unique culinary experience. We had prime galbi (a huge highlight), it was super juicy and flavorful, yellowtail and tuna which were also outstanding, lobster and squid ink octopus fried rice! All were inventive, plated beautifully, exquisite, but very very small. Wish we stayed for dessert I’ve heard amazing things but we realized we needed more food and because of the limited menu, we got more dinner after.Come here for a culinary experience but maybe not to get full (unless they have a special menu) also drinks were amazing and wine selection is as it should be!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I feel like since I moved back to NYC there’s been a wave of incredible and innovative Korean restaurants opening up and I’m so glad! I enjoyed everything about LittleMad. Nice tasteful yet relaxed atmosphere, excellent service, and most importantly great food. I started off with their tasting of snacks - four delightful bites that were the perfect way to start. Everything after was wonderful - the signature yellow tail pond, maitake mushroom dip, and Galvani all hit it out of the park for me. Also they have an excellent cocktail menu - the espresso/amaretto martini with truffles is wow!!!
I like ktown better
I had to ask for water 4 times for them to bring it to me otherwise I would be waiting until now for hot water something as simple as that!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
The entire experience felt like an extravagant performance and art exhibit of finely-crafted dishes. The staff were highly skilled in providing details and curating food that are unique, delicious, and beautiful. The bartender made some of the most perfectly balanced cocktails. The dishes came out in an order that made it seem like they were in different acts of a play. They had themes and were quite fun and interactive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Earl Grey Shaved Ice
What a delightful experience. Delicious food, presented delicately and precisely for each dish. A very thoughtful progression. Definitely opt for the wine pairing. We also started with amazingly balanced cocktails.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Tartare, Prime Galbi, Duck Breast, Grilled Octopus