By Drunken Noms
Special to the Post

We visited the newly opened Bao Down Gastropub in the Olympic Village.

The Hot Stuff featuring spicy fried chicken, crispy garlic, buttermilk waffle, and eggs with macademia nut syrup was a good choice. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside, and moist on the inside. The batter itself wasn’t particularly spicy, but the dish was sprinkled with chopped red thai peppers. The otherwise minimal heat went well with the sweet, nutty, macademia nut syrup which was soaked up well by the soft waffle. I asked for my eggs to be soft poached but was disappointed when it was cooked all the way through. Other than that, I was pleased with the dish.

I also ordered a side of Hash browns because they are TATER TOTS! These were delicious. With a super crunchy exterior and a soft interior that still has a bit of texture, these were fatty, wonderful, and perfect.

We also had the Loco Moco featuring a pressed beef patty, beef and mushroom gravy, garlic steamed rice, two fried eggs, and hash browns. It could have used some work. The major problem was that the beef and mushroom gravy was bland. Not even the tater tots were able to save it. I did enjoy the sprinkling of tomatoes and green onion atop the dish though. It provided some freshness and acidity to an otherwise heavy dish.

I enjoyed the chicken and waffles (although the eggs were grossly overcooked), and I loved the tater tots. The other dishes were all mediocre. Plus the prices felt a little high. Eighteen dollars for chicken and waffles, and eight dollars for the tiny little bao would have been fine if they’d blown us away, but considering there were issues with both, it seemed a little steep.

Bao Down Gastropub

115 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC

Drunken Noms is composed of two bloggers 'Drunken Master' and 'Food Wench'.  – www.drunkennoms.com