BAO (CMU)

Bao. Where to begin? My date and I walked into a sushi restaurant up the block and I stopped to wonder..."what's where Lulu's used to be?" My lovely companion agreed to find out and my life was changed. This was my first experience with real dim sum and, as I write this, Sunday night Brad is sick with jealousy that he's no longer Saturday lunch Brad.

The food was of the very highest caliber, one of those meals where even the worst thing on the table was still amazing. My drink selection of blended grapes with salted milk foam felt like a gamble but it was amazing. Pork belly sliders came as an appetizer and presented me with three bites of the best pork belly I've ever had. Soon after, dinner arrived.

The siumaai ate like clouds stuffed with butter, as shrimp and mushroom melted in my throat and pooled in my gut like a delicious Exxon-Valdez spill. The bao, steamed perfectly, soaked up every drop of chili oil and soy that were given to us.

For dessert, the custard piggies were both delicious and fun to eat, as one rarely has the opportunity to take a bite out of a pig's face.

The wait staff was somewhat inattentive but I'm willing to chalk that up to them letting me enjoy the company of my wonderful date. I cased the joint about halfway through and found it to be clean, presentable, and charming.

I do not simply recommend that you try Bao. I all but command you to stop what you're doing, make the necessary calls and texts, and rearrange your schedule to hit up Bao as soon as you're able. Your renal specialist can wait. Your daughter's graduation ceremony will be recorded. There's a good chance your wife will still be in labor when you get back. Aunt Gladys knew you loved her, she'd just want you to be happy and you know what will make you happy, my friend?

Bao.

I recommend trying the pork soup dumplings and the water celery with tofu.
I do NOT recommend the basil chicken, as it has too many bones, making it difficult to eat, and it doesn’t have much meat.
Grapes fruit tea with milky foam is was alright 2.5/5. It was too plain, and the milky foam is not as good as other places.

Meal break in between #CarnegieMuseums in Pittsburg. Great Taiwanese influenced food at #BAOII(CMU) Beverages: my husband got his Zodiac Taurus inspired drink of #mangoCoconut Mango slush with a twist of coconut milk topped with fresh mango. I got the love of Chocolate inspired #ChocoTreasureSmoothie Chocolate base slush blended with whole milk and topped with homemade whipped cream and Oreo crumbs. Both were wonderful drink choices that came in a great looking cup. Appetizer: Handmade #PorkSoupDumplings this was my first time having this type of dumpling. There is literally soup in the dumpling so when you bite into them the soup bursts in your mouth, an explosion of flavor. Mains: Pork Singapore style thin noodles. While not a traditional #SingaporeNoodle dish it was very tasty and I do love noodles. #ThaiwanBasilChicken this was a very tasty, spicy, dish that I’d been looking for since I first had it years ago. The dark meat chicken still had the bones in it which added some richness to the sauce. I Also love the Thai basil and hot chilis. A great food find close to Campus. #Handmade fresh food #BAOII(CMU)

Italian place across the street was all booked up so we came here instead and what a find! Really good dim sum!!! Food came out super quick, really hot and freshly made. Highly recommended for eating alone or with a group. They have great boba milk tea drinks and oddly enough we all enjoyed the plain hot Green Jasmine tea the best! I found only a couple of vegan options (rice and various veggies like the spiced cucumbers, sauteed veggies and veggie dumplings). I was very satisfied.