Where are you from?
I was born in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
How did you get into bartending?
One day on my day off—I used to work in the back of the house—the bartender called off and I was asked if I could come in to help, and the rest is history!
Ever serve anyone famous?
I have had the privilege to serve a lot of famous people from politicians and actors to musicians and sports figures, but most recently I have served some members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Note. Clem Burke from Blondie, Mike Mills and Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Ian McGlagen from the English rock band The Faces.
Most bizarre thing overheard behind the bar?
I have pretty much seen and heard it all, but as a good bartender I always respect the privacy of my guests, so I plead the fifth...
Your go-to cocktail?
Whiskey of some sort...Boulevardier, Vieux Carre or an old fashioned.
Mojito or margarita?
Margarita
What’s one of your signatures?
There’s more to being a bartender than making a drink...so I would say one of my signatures is being able to give my guests the same service at the bar as they would get at a table. The guest experience is very important to me, so I think it translates into the service that I provide.
Favorite spirit to work with?
Amaro
Trends or classics?
Definitely the classics.
What do you do in your free time?
Well, I have a 10-month-old black pug named Mia, so she occupies and receives a lot of my free time, but I also try to play as much golf as possible and I am currently studying to get my sommelier certification.
What bar do you belly up to when you’re not working?
If I stay local in Harrisburg, I go see Tom McGrath at Cork n Fork; he makes the best drinks in the Burg. Otherwise, The Horse Inn [in Lancaster] or somewhere in Philly.
Must-visit places for someone visiting the Capitol City before or after a trip to Note?
For a small city the art scene is pretty cool, so The Susquehanna Museum of Art or The Mill Works, and the PA State Capitol building is a great piece of architecture.
What are you currently listening to and loving?
It’s so varied...my Spotify playlist includes 80’s alternative to Tony Bennett to Alabama Shakes to Mumford and Sons. I’m at work a lot, and all we play is vinyl, so it’s usually whatever Cha Cha record that Ruth is playing.
What’s in your Netflix cue?
Just watched “Somm Into the Bottle” and “Chef’s Table.” I’m a total industry nerd, so it’s usually something food and/or drink related or a documentary of some sort.
The Bee Sting
This is a really balanced cocktail...you get the spirit up front with a taste of citrus and a slight sweetness, and then it ends with this nice lingering spice.
Ingredients:
2 ounces vodka or bourbon
1 ounce honey syrup infused with red chilis
1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients together and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Note Wine Bar & Bistro
1530 N. Second St., Harrisburg, PA / notewinebar.com
