I toured this new eatery that opened a few days ago in the Olympic Village neighborhood,

Run by Owners Matt Adolfo and chef/partner Greg Edwards, they are serving dinner presently with brunch and lunch service to follow within a week or so. The HipHop/Street Art wall is unique, taking elements from their first restaurant Bao Down in Gastown. The dinner menu is Pacific Rim focussed with Asian influences covering Thai and Filipino.

The large room has seating for 67 featuring a long wooden table down the center of the room for communal seating, with smaller tables on both sides and seating at the bar. Local artist Taka Sudo has created the large Hip/Hop style mural on the Western wall; while the hallway towards the washrooms are lined with framed posters from notable 80s movies. I loved the reclaimed barn wood colour panelled walls and the drop lighting.

I tried a few of their delicious Thai inspired dishes which provided good direction into the focus of Chef Greg Edwards and his team. The Big Boss braised and grilled beef short rib on the bone, in a flavourful Massaman curry, crispy shallots, birds eye chili and basil with a side of coconut rice, such an impressive dish.

The Fraser Valley Huli Huli Chicken, sous-vide, then fire grilled overtop of their Thai Charcoal which gives the dish a unique smokey flavour, with a Thai vinaigrette, lemongrass, garlic, scallions, crispy garlic, turmeric, shallot, cane vinegar glaze, and shoyu.

You will find a raw bar with a master oyster shucker, Poke as well as a charcoal grill in which imported Thai charcoal is mixed with their own blend of wood for grilling their chicken and other dishes.

Bao Down Gastropub + Raw Bar is located at 115 West 2^nd Avenue in Olympic Village. Follow them on Twitter @baodowngastro

By: Richard Wolak