Bao Wow Wow Wow!

Hello Foodies,

We just wanted to share with you a gem of a Vietnamese restaurant called Bao Noodles. We have been trying to work our way through their menu and have found few disappointments. It is also hard not to keep ordering the same things over and over.

With what we've eaten so far...this is what I'd recommend....for appetizers....the homerun is the "Grilled Lemongrass Shortribs" - don't leave this restaurant without them. The Green Papaya Salad with green papaya, shrimp, fresh mint, and spicy lime dressing is quite tasty. You can't go wrong with any of the rolls from spring to summer - yum!

Moving on from the starters as hard as that is...try the Oxtail Noodle Soup that has thin slices of rare beef with rice noodles, bean sprouts in an anise-flavored oxtail broth. Pork on Rice Vermicelli (just what the name says) - the grilled pork is quite tasty. Spicy Beef Stew with beef brisket, carrots, daikon, ginger and anise brings stews to a whole new level. And a favorite of mine has been the Salt & Pepper Shrimp - tiger prawns coated with salt and pepper, stir-fried with garlic, shallots, red and green peppers...what could be bad about that!

There are pictures on the website so you can see your meal before you even get there or order it in...http://www.baonoodles.com. Bao Noodles is located at 391 Second Ave between 23rd & 22nd Sts.

Have a delicious weekend!

the Forks