At 6 p.m. TONIGHT, Michael “Bao” Huynh opens BarBao in the former Rain space. He’s working with the group that owns Calle Ocho and BLT Prime on this one — he tells us he’s carrying eight dishes over from his previous restaurants, Bao 111 and Bun (you’ll recognize the baby-lamb lollipops), as well as adding a host of others. We’re seriously contemplating booking the chef table and calling three days in advance for the suckling pig — it’s marinated in salted plums, fish sauce, and lemongrass, per Vietnamese tradition. You’ll also find what Bao calls “authentic Vietnamese flavor, in my own style” in a duck breast that’s seasoned with lemongrass, ginger, and olive oil and cooked sous vide. Bao tells us he loves duck heart (and who doesn’t), so he’s serving it in a hash along with duck liver. Finally, take a look at the interior — it comes courtesy of RKIT, the firm responsible for Allen & Delancey. Congratulations, Upper West Side, you have here a perfectly sexy late-night go-to — it’ll be open till 1 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and till 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Find us at the six-seat roll bar enjoying summer, hand, and spring rolls. The full menu is, of course, after the jump.
SMALL PLATES
$8 VIETNAMESE SUMMER ROLL
Vermicelli, Bean Sprout, Herbs, Bean Sauce
Shrimp | Short Rib Skewer | Duck Confit | Berkshire Pork | Vegetable
$12 SPICY BEEF SALAD
Pomelo, Pineapple, Chilies, Rau Ram Herbs, Peanut
$14 SWEET DUNGENESS CRAB SALAD
Avocado, Heart of Palm, Mint Cucumber Emulsion
$16 LOBSTER SALAD
Shaved Artichoke, Herbs, Peanut, Lemongrass Dressing
$12 YAME SOUP
Rock shrimp, Crispy Leek, Garlic Oil
$9 VEGETABLE SPRING ROLLS
Seasonal Mushroom, Jicama, Tofu, Herbs, Soy Cham
$9 CRAB SPRING ROLLS
Pork, Shrimp, Jicama, Nuoc Cham Sauce
$9 DAIKON RICE CAKE
Duck confit, One Hour Poached Egg, Duck Bacon, Sweet Soy
$10 SHORT RIB ON LEMONGRASS SKEWERS,
Hoisin Peanut Sauce
$14 SMOKED DUCK & FOIGRAS SAUSAGE
Curry Sauerkraut, Quince & Preserved Lemon Puree
$12 SALT & PEPPER VEAL SWEETBREADS
Pickled White Peach, Braised Bitter Melon, Pork Belly Vinaigrette
$14 BABY LAMB LOLLIPOPS
Cucumber Relish, Pickled Jalapeno
$12 SALT & PEPPER TIGER SHRIMP
Peel and Eat with Kiwi Yuzu Sauce
$12 SIZZLING CUTTLEFISH
Spicy Vietnamese Salsa Verde
BIG PLATES
$16 CLAY POT ORGANIC CHICKEN
Quail Eggs, Ginger, Shallot and Chilies
$18 SOUS VIDE CRISPY CHICKEN ROULADE
Home Style Sticky Rice, Spicy Thai Papaya Salad
$25 GRILLED AMERICAN KOBE HANGER STEAK
Melted Asian Eggplant, Crispy Black Rice, Spicy Ginger Sauce
$22 ROASTED BERKSHIRE PORK & CRISPY BELLY
Braised Red Cabbage, Mustard Apples Sauce, Coconut Essence
$22 GRILLED GINGER GLAZED DUCK BREAST
Spicy Taro Confit Hash with Duck Heart and Liver, Ginger Jus
$23 FILLET of ROASTED GUINEA HEN
Street Style Corn Kernels, Sweet Potato Shoots, Prawn’s Coral Jus
$27 SPICY VEAL OSSO BUCO
Curry Cauliflower Puree, Caramelized Baby Vegetables
$21 GLAZED BLACK COD
Red Curry Sweet Pepper Stew, Fennel and Onion Relish
$19 PAN ROASTED ARCTIC CHAR
Heart of Palm Puree, Morel, Green Curry Emulsion
$22 NEW STYLE LASKSA
Sea Scallop, Prawn, Bass, Coconut Pandan Parsnip Puree
Aromatic Coconut Curry Broth
$21 CRISPY WILD BASS
Braised Endive, Tomatoes, Pearl Onion, Chinese Sausage Vinaigrette
$24 PAN ROASTED CHILEAN SEABASS
Shitake, Chinese Celery, Glass Noodle, Ginger Bean Sauce
$21 MEKONG MARKET CLAY POT
Giant Prawn, Market Fish, Pickled Chives and Bean Sprout
$26 CRISPY WHOLE RED SNAPPER
Plum Tomatoes, Pineapples, Spicy Sweet Sour Sauce
NOODLES
$14 VERMICELLI NOODLE
Cucumber Salad, Herbs, Peanut, Cham Sauce
Pick Your Protein | HANGER STEAK |
BERKSHIRE BELLY | SHRIMP | VEGETABLE
$12 PHO NOODLES
Rare Beef, Sweet Bread, Anise Ginger Beef Broth
VEGETABLES
$8 SWEET POTATO SHOOTS
Garlic, Fish Sauce
$8 MELTED ASIAN EGGPLANT
Scallion Oil, Yuzu Soy Cham
$8 SUGAR SNAP PEAS
Ear Mushroom, Water Chestnut.
RICE
$4 STICKY RICE
Chinese Sausage, Crispy Shallot
$10 DUCK FRIED RICE
Egg, Scallion
OFF THE MENU
$33 FRESH WHOLE DUNGENESS CRAB
Enoki Mushroom, Golden Chives, Garlic Noodles
$29 OVEN BAKED MARKET WHOLE FISH
Served with Basket of Herbs and Green, Rice Paper,
Dipping Sauce
$MK WHOLE ROAST SUCKLING PIG
Angel Hair Noodle, Lettuce Herb Wrap, Assorted
Dipping Sauces
(For Chef Dining Room Only | Please Call 3 Days in Advance)
DESSERT
KOBOCHA SQUASH FLAN
Water Chestnut Tapioca | Jack Fruit | Green Tea Broth
CRISPY PAN CAKE
Sweet Corn | Coconut | Peanut | Dulce de Leche Gelato
SWEET SOUP
Gingko Nut | Lotus Seed | Yucca | Coconut | Sea Weed
Pandan Coconut Broth
SESAME CHURROS
Vietnamese Coffee Sesame
SOFT ICE CREAM
Black Sesame | Red Bean | Caramel Sauce
Or
Durian | Strawberry compote | Mint Syrup
BarBao, 100 W. 82nd St., nr. Columbus Ave.; 212-501-0776