Sneak menu peek as Soban upscale Korean to open tomorrow in Barnyard.

There will be a Fathers Day restaurant opening that could be many things—chaotic, memorable, surprising, delicious, pioneering.

There is one thing it will not be: boring.

Long anticipated Soban Grill and Bar (624-3318) opens in Carmel's Barnyard Shopping Village, taking over the space formerly occupied by Carmel Bar & Grill, Bixby's and Thunderbird Book Store.

Owner Hank Kim has seen great success in a much smaller space in downtown Monterey, Sushi Moto (646-1109) .

I broke word of its arrival this spring with a piece called "Fancy Korean barbecue joint Soban to fill major restaurant spot," and I went by to check things out two weeks ago, and a colleague was there a few days ago.

Neither time was any cooking going on or any bottles assembled in the bar or really any appearance that they were ready for liftoff. Last week's soft opening was cancelled. 

Hence my prediction that tomorrow will not be boring.

If you bring Dad, it will also be 15 percent off.

The tag line on their introductory ad: High End Korean Restaurant: Sake | Beer | Wine | Cocktails | Soju - No MSG. | Fresh local ingredients.

Here's a summary of the menu from my colleague and new food contributor Becca Gerber:

The Barnyard's newest restaurant edition, Soban, offers authentic Korean food.

The menu begins with appetizers such as the hobakjuk (a pumpkin soup, $4) and haemul pa jeon (pan fried seafood with vegetables, $13).

Entrees can be appreciated by any meat or fish lover from the daeji bulgogi (marinated spicy pork, chilly paste, onion, garlic, and leek, $19) to grilled mackerel or yellowtail collar, $17).

Vegetarians enjoy golbaengyi muchim (whelk, cucumber, carrot, onion, chili pepper paste with tiny white noodles, $17) and daenjangjjigae (bean paste stew, $13).

Soban's impressive selection of sushi rolls include speciality rolls Pineapple Express ($20) and Touch the Rainbow ($24), as well as more basic rolls, the spider roll ($8) and gaju roll ($6).

Also eyecatching: the chobop (a dish served in pairs on rice balls) with boiled octopus ($6) or salmon roe ($7).

Soban offers their own lunch or dinner special course menus compiling a six course meal for a pre assigned price (lunch $29 or $39) and dinner ($45 or $75).

Desserts are all $4 which include hanguar (Korean sweet cookies) or sujeonggwa (a traditional Korean persimmon drink).