I'm not sure how to pronounce it, Baoery. This casual modern-Asian restaurant arrived in Orlando's Thornton Park neighborhood without explanation about its name. Let's assume Baoery is pronounced like the Bowery, a downtown New York City neighborhood that borders its Chinatown. The spelling surely comes from boa, which are Chinese steamed buns. A pun.
Call it Herbert if you want. The food is good.
According to a press release sent out when the restaurant opened in mid-October 2015, the menu is this: " a contemporary take on traditional Asian cuisine reimagined as modern American bar food using a progressive culinary approach." The official name is baoery [lower case] asian gastropub.
Translation: It's small plates of Asian foods combined creatively. The culinary mastermind behind Baoery is Greg Richie, who also runs Soco, a contemporary Southern restaurant a couple of doors down. He made his name in Orlando at the Pacific-Rim Roy's Restaurant and then the similarly sort-of Polynesian Emeril's Tchoup Chop.
Three friends and I sampled a whole bunch of menu items, which are priced reasonably from $7 to $14. Here are some highlights.
The pork-shrimp dumplings are pan-fried, creating a nearly crisp exterior, and filled with a tasty mix of proteins.
So good. So good. If the only calamari you know is the bland rings served with dull marina in your neighborhood pizza joint, now is the time to try something new. Crisp and salty, with a peanuty dip ... a favorite.
Even mediocre edamame is an apt stomach-filler while you're waiting for a meal. These are better, with a smokiness and an engaging sauce.
We also loved the arugula, Asian pear, and pecan salad, which sounded blah but was notable with its sweet wasable-ginger vinaigreete. And the slow-braised pork ribs with Asian barbecue sauce were terrific, meaty hunks of meat with a piquant sauce that balanced just right. I forgot to take pictures of both.
Here are more menu items:
We left Baoery with rounds of "Great choice!", "Thanks for picking this!" and "Let's go back soon!", all with verbal exclamation points. That's a big thumbs up, so you should give the Baoery a try too. Even if you're not sure how to pronounce its name.
Eat enthusiastically, Rona