B33R Community on location…Bao Down!
Nestled in the heart of Gastown on Powell street as if it’s been there for years, sits the original, Bao Down. With a new location having just opened in Olympic Village, it seems only right to pay a visit to where it all started. A very friendly crew, and huge supporters of us since the beginning, these guys operate like family.
It’s only been a year, and we’ve been there in a sense, every step of the way. Co-owner and chef-at-heart, Greg Edwards describes their menu as Pacific Rim fusion, which has largely been inspired by travel. They currently have bottles of both 33 Acres of Ocean and 33 Acres of Sunshine at this location, which is more of your counter-serve kind of place, with a street food-style menu. He suggests the Kimchi fries with Ocean and the classic, Bao Chicka Bao Bao with Sunshine.
“It’s really clean, fresh beer—there’s no other way to explain it, there’s nothing like it out there…kind of like us,” Greg shares. When he describes the menus they’ve developed for Bao Down, he explains how every piece counts, and uses an example that pertains to their new gastropub in Olympic Village, as it takes on more of a Thai influence. “You can get Thai anywhere…but not with barbecued chicken.” The curries are traditional Thai with a Taiwanese twist, a delectable compliment to a glass of Ocean, Sunshine or Life.
Neighbourhood: Gastown (Counter-serve; 12 Powell St, Vancouver, BC), Olympic Village (Gastropub & Raw Bar; 115 West 2nd Ave)
Around since: 2015
Known for: Pacific Rim fusion-style food
Stockist since: Since opening, 1 year ago
On tap/bottles: Ocean & Sunshine bottles (Gastown), Ocean on tap, Life & Sunshine bottles (Olympic Village)
Food pairing: Bao Chicka Bao Bao with Sunshine
Something much of the community may not know about you/Bao Down?:
Greg (one of the owners), is a geological engineer—“When I’m not here I am working as a geologist”