Tonight I decided to try a new restaurant in the area: Take A Bao. I had driven past it practically every day since construction began, and now that it had been open since October, my curiousity finally hit it’s peak. I turned to Yelp to get the scoop and browse the menu before driving there, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it wasn’t just another American – asian fusion spot. The words “all natural meat” quickly grabbed my attention, and in that moment, I knew it would be tonight’s feasting spot.
Upon first arrival, I was greeted with an open, modern trendy atmosphere. It seemed like the kind of place you’d find artsy hipsters looming about. As I enter, a friendly staff member greets me and asks if it’s my first time dining there, to which I reply yes. I inform him I’ll be ordering togo, and he hands me the menu and says to let him know if I have any questions.
Now it was time to get down to business. I open the menu and instantly my eyes begin darting all over the page. Flavors are popping out all over. amarind, Yuzu Marmalade, Sesame Sea Salt, Plum Hoisin Sauce, Kimchi, Garlic Lime Aoli. My mouth was already watering.
After a once over of the menu, I decide on the Hoisin Steak and Thai Peanut Chicken Baos. I like the ability to customize my order, so this place already gets a point for allowing you to choose between a white bun, wheat bun or bibb lettuce wrap on your Bao. Being health concious, I chose the lettuce wrap. To finish off the meal, I decide to throw in a side of roasted sesame edamame. I ordered my picks, and within 10 minutes they were ready to take home.
On the car ride back, I restrained myself from sneaking a bite of my findings. The aromas were filling my car at such a rapid rate that I didn’t know how much longer I’d be able to contain myself. Luckily the drive was short, and I immediately rushed inside to unwrap my new taste tests.
I reached for the Thai Peanut Chicken bao. With the first bite, I’m immersed in a mix of tangy and savory flavors. It’s a good 4-5 bites with plenty of filling. The chicken was moist and the ground peanuts added a great texture. Bits of cucumber, cilantro, and scallions topped it off, and the rich peanut sauce gave it a wonderful kick. Smooth butter lettuce was the perfect partner to hold it all together without detracting from the main ingredients.
Next up is the Hoisin Steak Bao. My taste buds are instantly pulled in a completely different direction with sweet soy sauce notes in the Steak glaze. The steak itself melts in my mouth and is cooked perfectly. All the flavors of pickled daikon, radish sprouts, cilantro and peanuts keep me interested through to the last bite. While I loved the sauce, they were a bit heavy handed on it. I had a good amount left in my foil wrapping when I was done, so I decided to get creative and dip my edamame in it, which definitely enhanced the taste.
Their edamame was actually the only thing that didn't impress me. “Roasted Sesame Edamame with sesame sea salt” got my hopes up for something exciting, and it unfortunately fell short for me. It wasn’t until I was about half way through my stack of edamame that I began to really taste the sesame salt. It was a good flavor, but not nearly enough of it and not well mixed. It just ended up being regular edamame for me. For $3.50 a serving, I think I’ll skip it next time and try one of their drinks instead.
Overall, Take A Bao impressed me. They use natural meats, local produce, and intriguing ingredients. The wide variety of menu items and flavors that kept me wanting one more bite makes for a certain second visit from me. The range of portion size is another plus as well. From the small dishes starting at $3.50 to the plates that go up to $13, there’s something for almost every price point and hunger level. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite of Bao or a full sit down meal, they’ve got you covered. I’m looking forward to trying more dishes and seeing how this restaurant develops.
Fore more information on Take A Bao, visit www.takeabao.com
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