Bao 111

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111 Avenue C
New York, NY 10009

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(212) 254-7773
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Reviews
( 24 )
( 24 )
( 3 )
( 8 )
( 6 )

Best

I went to Bao111 on a saturday night with 7 people. We had the prixe fixe menue of 6 appetizers, 4 entress, and 3 desserts - enough for the whole table to share. The cost was $4...

Worst

Someone did a great PR job for this place. Having read several reviews saying what good value this place was, went with my girlfriend. The vibe is nice in a New Yorky way, with B ...

tasty food! 7/23/2003

My dinig experience at bao was absolutely delightful. I've never had vietnameese food before and I have to admit it was excellent. I particularly liked the spring rolls and the drinks were great. I definitely will go back. Pros: good food, great service more
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Cool place 7/21/2003

The food is definitely one to come and try. I have eaten at many vietnamese themed places and this is better than most. Can get a little crowded in place but it's definitely worth a visit. Try the shortribs. Pros: good food, diverse clientele, dessert Cons: crowded at times more
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I Would Go to Chinatown Instead 7/1/2003

Our party of 4 arrived without reservations and were seated quite promptly. The ambience was quite nice (except for some awkward paintings). The salads were inventive and refreshing but the traditional vietnamese appetizers were mediocre. It took nearly 20 minutes for our entrees to arrive, and these were all disappointing - small, and nothing to rave about - we could have had the same meal in Chinatown for a quarter of the price. We didn't try the house drinks ($10 for a cocktail - hello, this is Ave C) but we did try some wines and we were disappointed. Desserts, though, were excellent and very unique. Pros: Desserts, Prompt seating Cons: Mediocre Food, Slow kitchen, Overpriced more
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what's there to complain about? 6/4/2003

I had heard a lot about Bao, from friends and neighbors,and of read some of the hype, so I was a little precautious...but from the friendly energy, coupled with the engaging staff and ending with great food, i was truly impressed. The new cocktail list, with saketinis made from house infused sakes and speciality drinks are definitely worth a try. The spring rolls are the best I have had. and dont forget to end with the pandan flan. The place can be a little noisy and the tables are quite close but all in all It is worth the trip. Pros: friendly staff, great vibe, food Cons: noise, table proximity, parking...none more
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above average vietnamese food 6/1/2003

not a connoisseur of vietnamese food, but overall definitely a notch above the other vietnamese restaurants in the city. the chicken lollipop starters, fish of the day and lamb chops were the best of the food we ordered. among the desserts, the yucca cake is worth a try. we stuck with sake through the night as the inital shot at cocktails was not up to the mark. more
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yum 5/26/2003

I totally disagree with the shoddy ratings below...going to dinner on a Saturday night in NYC is always going to be crowded and boisterous, especially in this neighborhood with this kind of menu (pricing) and after a few media outlets have highlighted this dining newcomer! What do you expect? My husband and I went on a Saturday night and it was noisy and the tables are a bit tight, but our food was excellent, our server engaged and helpful, and the experience was very good. Go for the food and fun, not for a quiet romantic dinner. The lemongrass sparerib appetizer is phenomal, and I had the pork satay...very spicy, very juicy. My husband had the filet mignon...also pretty tasty. And the wine list is good, some good value options as well as some higher end, more interesting wines. Pros: food, service, pillows! Cons: noisy, tight more
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Tasty Food! Horribly Slow service! 5/24/2003

I've been going to Bao on and off since it opened. The food is not as top notch as it used to be but I still like it. The service though seems to be on a sharp slope downhill. Our drinks took 20 minutes and our food took over an hour to get to us. It was a good 50 minute gap between our appitizers and Entree.....Lost our appetite and quite frankly my love for Bao. Pros: Good Food and ambience Cons: Horribly slow service for both Food and drinks more
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melism 5/11/2003

we went at 9:30 on a sat night and the place was full of screaming, drunk twentysomething posers. geez. the appetizwers were excellent, best frog's legs ever and the entrees we got were just ok. it's more of a scene than anything and i guess i've outgrown that. maybe return on a slow weeknight. service was very good but they were awfully busy. wine in water glasses is stupid, also. Pros: appetizers, sake list, service Cons: noise, crowded tables, noise more
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Cant Get Enough Of Bao !!!!!!! 4/29/2003

After my fourth visit i have decided i cannot find a bad dish on the menu. The shortribs, crab soup, seabass, curry shrimp, it goes on and on. The staff is so friendly and the neighborhood is so cool. Come down quick before you cant get in. Pros: good food, nice atmosphere, great staff Cons: limited parking, can be loud more
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Left before seating 4/16/2003

If you are prepared to wait and wait and wait...and wait some more while being told ""only 10 more minutes"" about 4 or 5 times (with a reservation). Then this is the place for you. We left before honesty was completely hung out to dry. Pros: BAD + RUDE, too small for waiting more
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Crowded, mediocre food 4/12/2003

Although seeming like a trendy little restaurant, when it comes to the food and ambiance I'd say it leaves a lot to be desired. The dishes we ordered were verging on bland (notable exception being the spicy yucca fritters), and barely like authentic vietnamese (my wife is vietnamese and she wasn't impressed). The place was so crowded getting out felt like being in a rush-hour subway. The noise level was almost intolerable, making any type of conversation difficult, let alone intimate conversation. I don't think I'll go back. Pros: decor, service Cons: location, crowded and cramped, bland food more
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Quality Dining, Great Design 4/10/2003

Although the setting may be a bit tight, Bao 111 is still more cozy than cramped. The service is great, with a polite staff who do a great job of going out of their way for clientele. Our appetizers were offered for free after being only slitely late to the table. The menu contains a large variety of unique options, ranging from the modern Vitenamese to a number of fusion dishes. All in all, a very enjoyable restaurant in a unique part of town. Pros: Great Food, Unique Menu, Great Service Cons: Small Portions, Slightly Cramped more
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Great Vietnamese Dining Experience 4/9/2003

I'm Vietnamese and have lived in S. Cali for over 20 years. Since in NYC for the past 5 years, I've been searching for a decent Viet. meal, and have not found the spot to return to. When my boyfriend mentioned Bao, I was cynical. We made the trek over to Ave C last night, and all I could think about was: ""It better be good."" And it was. I liked the feel of the place: cool, soothing, and clean. The service was excellent. We ordered the full 3-course meal, and everything was delicious. The chicken with quail eggs was much better than my mom's (need more quail eggs though), and the yucca cake with jasmine ice cream was yummy (need more ice cream). The only con: the price... a bit too expensive. My suggestion: drop the price or increase the portion, esp. on the prawn dish. Pros: Food, Service, Ambience Cons: Location, Price more
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Best Vietnamese Restaurant in NYC! 4/2/2003

Exceptional Vietnamese food from beginning to end! Great ambiance too. Love this place. The only drawback -- a bit out of the way (Ave. C) but completely worth the trip. more
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You won't be sorry 3/16/2003

Hot infused sake a must. No better shrimp toast anywhere. Crab soup very good. Filet minion dish wonderful; iron pot chicken delicious, quail eggs huge plus, but wished the chicken didn't have the skin on as it wasn't a crispy skin dish. Hip, warm ambiance, suits at the bar, jeans next to us, and a large table of boys with that studied ""I haven't brushed my hair in 5 days"" look across the way. In the restroom, ambient lighting, scattered pebbles and rose petals, and Kiehl's soap & lotion at the sink. Nice touch, guys. more
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excellent service & great food 3/12/2003

The service was tremendous, and the food very tasty. A great selection of dishes, all delicious. Also cool, happening vibe. Pros: innovative cuisine, beautiful decor Cons: limited bathrooms, a bit loud more
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IT's ok... 3/10/2003

Not bad for a neuveau Vietnamese restaurant. The food is pretty good and they don't go overboard with the whole fusion thing. The service is sort of clueless though and wine is served in a water glass which is rather tacky. Comfy seats and nice music. Just a little overpriced but overall worth a visit. more
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Antoniodion 3/10/2003

The food was excellant , are group tried several appetizers , entrees and desserts. The entire staff was friendly and made sure we were satisfied with everything . The food flavoring was truly unique!! Nice dimly lit setting with great artwork. Pros: nice pricing, great service Cons: no parking more
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On Ave C !!! Yes !!! 3/9/2003

Why is it that no reviewers have mentioned anything about the wonderfully warm and wonderful Yam soup, especially tasty during these cold winter days. I've been there twice in a week, this says a lot because I live on the upper eastside and alphabet city is a little far south. more
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Unhappy party of 8's 3/8/2003

The service is good but the food portions are way way way too small for the price they charge. If you want good Vietnamese food, I suggest going to somewhere authentic (chinatown). I thought it would be good but the food is just another fusion wanna be Viet food. Very disappointing after reading rave reviews about it. Do not be fooled...do not go there....and I am serious. Pros: Good service Cons: Too Expensive, Small Portions, Not Delicious more
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Menu for Bao 111


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    The room glows a flattering amber; wood banquettes, softened by a scattering of cushy, embroidered pillows, run the length of the room. The space is sultry without being overtly...

  • 7/21/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, East Village, Downtown
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