My girlfriend and I came to Olympic village with our doggie hungry. We decided last minute to try out the gastropub here. It was busy, but we didn't have to wait too long. And for all you dog owners out there, it's very dog friendly here. The owner has a Siberian husky named Nacho. We met at the dog park and he's very friendly behind all the tattoos.
Our server was amazing. His recommendations were great, and the drinks were strong, which I liked. The food is very fusion, don't expect too much authentication. It's just for fun. Some may be discouraged.
Food is really good!! Drinks are very strong which is always a plus. The menu has been updated recently with great items. And they have an awesome happy hour menu as well!
With a toddler in tow, it is difficult to get to places that are not in my neighbourhood or along my regular commuting/shopping routes. So, I always appreciate when my work provides me with the opportunity to try restaurants that I have been planning to get to. I tried Bao Down in Mount Pleasant. I had the ‘Same Same’ pad thai for $16 and it was worth the money. Thanks to the server for the recommendation for a heartier lunch. The shrimp were large and numerous. The noodles were sauced on the sweeter side but the freshness of the shrimp provided some palette relief. Noodles were perfectly cooked. I liked the presentation style of having the omelette on the side instead of mixed throughout the dish.
First time trying their Bao!!!
It was really good :) I loved their happy hour!
Place fill up quickly even we got there at 5pm!
I was bit worried their kimchi fries because i don't eat spicy food but it wasn't spicy at all :)
Lettuce wrap and fried rice was perfect portion.
I will go back and try other items too!
I have been meaning to try this one of a while now, so to walk in, wade past the plumes of smoke, and to hear that they had a problem with their kitchen; had me setting myself for a deep disappointment. The smokey air was due to a poor ventilation issue, but it would soon be resolved. This is their newest and second location, in Olympic Village. It comes a lot more space covered in a lot of varnished wood. A lengthy family style table centred the room between booths on either ends. Above them all were wood blocks holding bulb after protruding bulb, with several more strung together by black cable. Yet somehow the room was still fairly dim in an orange tint.
Love it! Tried the paella, poke, and battered prawns. The poke might have been a bit overpriced for what it was but everything tasted fantastic. The fusion paella had all the right components and it was super rich and filling.
Meal: Dinner
One-liner: Fun, tropical-inspired foods that are hip and change up the regular dining scene
Highlight: Valenciana
Estimated cost: $25/person
Would I go back? Yes.
Check out my blog post for the full review!
Came here for a weekend brunch, The place was busy and had quite a bit of a lineup but we were seated almost immediately, service was a tad slow but very friendly once you get to flagged one of the servers down. as for food, I tasted only a few and was satisfied, will come back for more.
Latest edition to Bao Down is this Olympic Village location, opening its doors just four months ago. This location expands their Gastown Bao Down menu to feature more than their infamous ‘Baos’ or steamed buns and focusing on entrees, drinks and a raw bar. Oysters! We tried a dozen of these from the Master Oyster Shucker in the house, Scotty! No sand in any of these at all, definitely called lives up to the ‘Master’ name! I loved the four house made sauces, each were give a bit of a twist with Bao’s own take. I especially liked the red sauce which you think was a cocktail one, but this one had fish sauce and other spices loaded it in! They offer buck a shuck daily too from 4-6pm! Their oyster selection is definitely comparable to Rodney’s.
Everything But Weddings
+4
Everything we ordered was packed with flavour, the staff was very friendly, and the restaurant looked awesome (love the graffiti art wall). The dishes I can vouch for are their fresh oysters, crab cakes, sprung rolls, pork belly, fly rice, halo-halo and beignets. 4 of us shared all the appies and rice and they were enough to keep us full. What took us over the top was dessert. The halo-halo and beignets are huge and best if shared among 2-4 people. The only thing I was disappointed with was they didn't have steamed bao with filling in the gastropub, as I had wanted to try them out. They did serve bao (no filling) with the appies. I will definitely be back for more.
Have you ever tried to redefine yourself as an adult? I’m of the opinion that I am who I am, but Mango Chutney is of a different mind set. He recently decided that he needed a more “adult” look, beginning with a hipster haircut. Then he decided to uproot his life from UBC to Olympic Village. When I finally got around to visiting his brand new apartment, I discovered that he completely re-vamped his taste in decor. Gone are the IKEA coffee table and couches, and in their place is more expensive, sleek, black furniture. And don’t even get me started on the staging! A random armadillo sculpture atop his the two perfectly positioned coffee table books…A super strange lamp with medusa-like tube lights exploding from the top centered perfectly between two armchairs….I want my old Mango Chutney back!
Normally I stay away from anything Asian fusion sounding but the food here is tasty, the flavours are balanced and portions are hefty. The vegetarian mushroom main I had was hearty and delicious. Khao Soi noodle soup had just enough heat and portions were so large it felt like we chowed down on half a chicken. Get the halo halo for dessert. Lots of Asian sweet toppings and a creme caramel! Great way to end the evening. BC oysters are also buck a shuck all night long. I recommend trying Bao Down gastropub and rawbar.
So flavorful! My taste buds were pleasantly surprised tonight! Came here for their buck a shuck deal (7 days a week!) and both my bf and I said it was better than expected. Other than the oysters not shucked cleanly as I had a mouthful of cracked shells, everything else was perfect. The caeser came stacked with prawn, olive, tuna, kimchi, and bacon ($15) and the main meals definitely did not disappoint. Huli huli chicken was so tender and juicy and the Fly Rice was stacked full of ingredients. Reminded me of the nasi goreng rice I had when I was in Bali! The chicken, rice, beer, caeser and 2 dozen oysters came up to $87 for our meal but awesome date night! Ill be back to try their weekend brunch!
Good food, but overpriced. We had the bang bang shrimp (not enough bang for your buck-ha ha), the fly rice (loved this dish), and the barbecued chicken with green papaya salad.
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