Ahgassi and Agassi

BOBBY KWAK, Nōksu, Baekjeong, Sundaes Best, Ahgassi

CULTURE & LEISURE • Friday Routine

BOBBY KWAK • owner • Nōksu, Baekjeong, Sundaes Best, Ahgassi
Neighborhood you live in: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 

It’s Friday afternoon, how are you rolling into the weekend? 
Friday afternoon means I’m making lunch for my 13-year-old daughter, who trains full-time for tennis. Then I'm on the phone with my business partner, Joseph Ko, discussing our New York opening for Ahgassi, the Los Angeles Korean BBQ restaurant that we’re bringing to Fifth Ave. and 32nd St. (opening February 15) and the forthcoming Garden of Eve (our new Asian dessert food hall, opening fall 2024). Then, I’m hopping in my car and driving into the city for the 5:30 p.m. dinner service at Nōksu. 

Where are you dining this weekend? 
Trying to get a seat at Hooni Kim's restaurant Meju, but since they’re fully booked, I'm going to look into Semma instead (which will be just as difficult). If both of those fail me, I’ll end up at Tsujita Ramen in Fort Lee, or White Manna Burger in Hackensack.

How about a little leisure or culture? 
Since my daughter competes at a national level for tennis, that means I’m traveling around the country with her at least two weeks a month. This has the added bonus of allowing me to research restaurants, and plan all our meals out. I’ve realized we’re truly lucky and privileged to live in New York City, with the best restaurants in America. A recent span of tennis tournaments in South Dakota, Alabama, Mississippi, and Ohio, all away from major cities, meant that finding good food was a real challenge, and we ended up at places like Panera or Five Guys. 

Any weekend getaways?
Best weekend getaway was flying to Tucson, Arizona, for one of my daughter’s tournaments and staying at the El Conquistador Hilton resort. Just seeing the beautiful sunset with the mountains in the background (above) was mind-blowing. I felt like I was living in a painting.

What was your last great vacation?
I went to a wedding in Aruba and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, in a room with an oceanside view. Although I got the worst sunburn, it was still relaxing to just be away from the hustle and grind. But I couldn’t get away from NYC completely: we dined at BLT Steak and Casa Nonna New York, both located at the Ritz.