Bar Bao (CLOSED)

So my husband and I took both sets of parents to Bar Bao when they were in town recently and they haven't stopped talking about how good Bar Bao was. My mother-in-law got the whole fried snapper that a reviewer complains about down below and it was a whole fried fish carcass wrapped around the flash of the fish which had been filleted and cut up into smaller chunks before frying. The portion was extremely generous and we never even finished it. She absolutely loved the spicy-sweet sauce that was drizzled over the fish. My husband got the pork belly entree and it was phenomenal, luxurious and soft but with a nice crunch in the skin. My father-in-law tried the sticky rice with Chinese sausage and one of the steak entrees and loved both. Everything else, from the market fish Mekong Style, to the lamb lollipops, the daikon duck hash, the street style corn side, etc. was very good. It's not a cheap meal, but it's not blow the bank expensive either. For my money it is totally worth it.

There were six of us and each ordered a different appetizer and entree so we could have more variety of tastes. For me, the Daikon Duck Hash and the Pork Belly were unique and excellent. The Crispy Whole Red Snapper was good but not unique enough for the price. The green curry accompanying the Loup de Mer was bland, all I could taste was salt and a bit of curry. The Pan Seared Market Fish (salmon on that day) was so-so because the sauce was too watery; I like my salmon crispy (Le Cirque has the best one so yet). The Crispy Frog Leg, battered and fried, was good although I prefer mine sauteed. I like the Duck Fried Rice, a very tasty variety of fried rice. The only major complaint is that three of us really felt the after-effect of alcohol, even though each only drank one glass, from prosecco wine and the mixed drink that has tamarind sauce in it,the name of which I forget. I will definitely go back to try the Sizzling Cuttlefish, the Curry Shrimp, and the Pho. What I won't try is another alcoholic drink.

I ordered a whole snapper and they sent me a tiny portion of fish (and not a whole fish at all)--basically fried fish nuggets with sauce. I called to complain and they said they would send me a larger portion--this is what is most offensive--they delivered a fried carcass of bones(the head and tail of the fish)--in order to "compensate" for not delivering a whole fish originally. Trying to save margin on fish (this dish cost 28bucks by the way)by using fillet nuggets and not sending a whole fish and then delivering fried bones. Ridiculous....The other dish we ordered were the saigon noodles which were bland and didn't have any vegetables at all.

My husband and I have gone to this restaurant on a weeknight, for the Sunday night dinner, and for drinks on a Friday evening. Every time has been wonderful. Don't let the $$$$ scare you...the portions are large and there are a few dishes (mainly noodle) for under $20. One of the best UWS restaurants…

I was here on Sunday for their family meal and at first I was a bit hesitant. Most times when a place does food on a large scale to accommodate lots of people it tends to be inconsistent. Not here! We had the 28 dollar family style and everything was just as good as when we ordered off the regular menu. I love this place service is great, food is on point and fun drinks as well. UWS is a tough place to get people to venture to but its well worth it.

There's nothing not to like about this place; the ambiance, the food, the service, the hospitality, the presentation - it's all excellent. The Lamb Lollipops melt in your mouth.

Our party had the $29 all-you-can eat dinner. We had 4 excellent appetizers and 4 excellent entrees. My favorites were the spring rolls and skirt steak. The service was very attentive and the decor is very attractive. And at the end of the meal, there is an ice cream sundae bar! I would go back.