Restaurant Review: Boccaccio Brau

  After my last (rather poor) experience with Korean beer, I decided to check out some of the best beer in Daegu. So I gathered the whole DumbFamily and we headed to Suseong-gu to check out Boccaccio Brau.

There isn't really a giant glowing rectangle behind the entrance, just a white sign. I need a better camera.

      Upon entering Boccaccio Brau (formerly Ariana Brau) you'll immediately notice all of the giant metal brewing equipment. That's right, Boccaccio brews all of its own beer right on site.

      So here's how it works. They have a buffet set up and you pay per person. The price includes unlimited access to the buffet and ALL THE BEER OR WINE YOU CAN DRINK! Here's the price list and times straight from their website, but I went ahead and translated it into English for you.

(I've updated the prices. These prices are current as of October 29th, 2014)

Weekday Lunch (Mon - Fri)      Server Time 12:00 - 15:00    14,500won    Kids: 10,500won
Weekday Dinner (Mon - Thu)   Server Time 17:00 - 21:00    30,000won    Kids: 13,800won
Weekend Lunch (Sat, Sun, Holidays)   Server Time 12:00 - 16:00    27,000won    Kids: 13,800won
Weekend Dinner (Fri, Sat, Sun, Holidays)  Server Time 17:00 - 22:00  32,800won  Kids: 13,800won

     Yes, you can stay a full five hours on  Friday and Saturday and drink unlimited glasses of delicious microbrew. No one will look at you strangely. Trust me, I do it all the time. After the time is up you can order beer by the pitcher. Speaking of the beer. When you first sit down you order your first beer, or wine if you prefer, and your server will bring it to you shortly. After that initial service you just go up the the beer/wine station and ask for a refill. A fun game to play is to see how many times you can drink and refill your glass in the final 30 minutes of the service. Everyone plays this game.

I came back here like twenty times, and the guy never said "You? Again?"

     They usually have two house beers on offer, Stout and Weizen. However they also had a Honey Brown Ale this time as well.

Oops. I switched the Stout and the Honey Brown. I guess I have to go back to Photoshop school.

     Everyone at the table preferred the Weizen, and I must say that it was really really good. They do have Max available on tap as well if you prefer something without as much flavor. I promise I won't judge you. As for the wine, they have a house red and a house white. DumbTwo tried them and said that they were so-so.
     On to the food. This is easily one of the highest quality buffets in Daegu. They have everything from sushi to pizza readily available as well as pasta and steak stations set up. We usually eat our fill then go back and get snacks through the night.

From far away

And up close

     So the beer is good, the food is good, is there anyway it could get any better? Yes. They have a live band.

Again, he wasn't really wearing a glowing shirt.

     Now usually I'm against live bands in bars and restaurants because they are usually so loud that I can't carry on a conversation with anyone at the table, but it seems that Boccaccio has the volume situation figured out and the music is at the perfect level, loud enough to be enjoyable, without ever being annoying. It also helps that the band in question is very talented, I mean I liked some of their covers more than the originals. The band is called "Zynczation" and they start at 7:00 P.M. and play 30 minute sets every hour after that, every set is with different music but the first two sets are a little more mellow while everyone is eating. The third set is when the show really starts and you can feel that there is a different atmosphere as by then everyone has been drinking unlimited beers for a few hours and the audience gets into it.

Final Review: 5/5   This is a must-see place in Daegu.

(About the review score)

Location: Boccaccio Brau is located under Hotel Ariana. They take reservations but leave about half of the place open for walk-ins so you shouldn't have to wait long to get a table, if at all (though they do get pretty busy on weekends) It's near Suseong Lake and it's easy to get to if you take a taxi, just say "Ariana Hotel" and every taxi driver will know where to drop you off. On the off chance that you get a driver who doesn't understand you, just say "TBC." TBC is a Daegu landmark and Hotel Ariana is right next door. Here's a map.



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