Part of Seocheon, the quiet neighbourhood on the left-hand side of Gyeongbokgung Palace, right opposite an elementary school, you can find a large terracotta brick building. Part of this space is Staff Picks.
Staff Picks is a large cafe and goods store on the first floor of the building. It’s entrance is on the side of the space and to get to it you must first walk though a large lawn area with grey paved areas.
Inside the café it was cozy and homely. It's interior gave off a modern bohemian atmosphere. The colour scheme of the cafe was white with wooden elements and pops of colour. The walls, ceiling and beams were white, while the floor were tiled with large grey tiles. Many of the surfaces and storage were either white or a deep walnut wood.
Plants were big decorative elements, as well as bright art that hung on the white café walls. Since the cafe was also sold homewares and home-made goods, they were displayed throughout the space, which inadvertently added a decorative element. The lighting was also lovely and warm. This was the real nail in the coffin for the homely vibe.
While the tables made it appropriate for working, since the atmosphere was so comfortable, this meant the cafe was better suited for socialising and taking pictures.
Seating was arranged in a variety of ways; there was a sofa, a mixture of tables and chairs for twos, threes and fours, as well as a large communal table for a large group. There was of course seating on the outside, which is where my friend and I sat. We sat under a large awning just outside the windows of the cafe. There was other seating on the grass, as well as seats on a decking area overlooking the café’s view.
We went on a miserable day so the view of Seoul’s old business district was shrouded in mist and fog. Moreover since Spring was still on it's way at the time of going, the grass was still dead and the huge tree in the middle of the lawn was still barren. However I could see the potential of the space. In the summer time, I could imagine how beautiful the space would be to enjoy the sunshine.
Turning to the drinks, my friend got an einspanner and I got a milk tea. My friend said her coffee was not bad. My milk tea was just ok. It came with foam on top which was a nice touch, however it had a slight chemical taste to it and pointed towards a pocket mix milk tea.
Staff Picks’ main drawing point is the space it offers. In dead beat terms, this is cafe to get a grassy courtyard with a view in the middle of Seoul. While the drinks were lack luster, the café has other things to offer. While the café interior is a great with a cozy fell, the outside area is the real winner here and definitely a rarity in such a built up city like Seoul.
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