Midtown Lunch

When it rains it pours! Last week we got a taste of what’s to come from Ma Peche, Momofuku’s Vietnamese inspired restaurant opening in the Chambers Hotel (on 56th btw. 5+6th). This week it’s O-Bao, the latest project from Michael “Baoguette” Huynh, another slightly upscale, Vietnamese inspired restaurant supposedly opening today on 53rd btw. 2+3rd (in the old Bunchberries space). Last week they had a free preview night, and both Joe Distefano and the Strong Buzz got to sample some of the menu. Both agreed that the pork belly skewers and ox tail pho were delicious.  Photo courtesy of Serious Eats NY

The menu is made up of a mix of under and over $10 dishes. I was disappointed to see that the Vietnamese noodle bowls (or bun) are all over, but if you’re looking for a bowl of pho, all but one is in the Midtown Lunch price range.

Check out the menu after the jump.

Salads

GRILLED CURRY SHRIMP $10

Watermelon | Tomatoes | Jalapeno Dressing | Candy Tamarind

LAOS SPICY GRILLED BEEF SALAD $10

Cucumber | Shallot | Pineapples | Mint | Crispy Roasted Rice

POMELO SALAD, KHMER STYLE $10

Bibb Lettuce | Herbs | Chili | | Coconut | Crispy Shallot

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN SALAD $9

Cabbage Slaw | Rau Ram Herbs | Lime Dressing | Peanut

Appetizers

CRISPY SPRING ROLLS $7

Pork | Shrimp | Taro | Mushroom Dipping Sauce

FRESH SUMMER ROLLS $7

Shrimp | Vermicelli | Bean Spout Herbs

VEGETABLE SUMMER ROLLS $7

Tofu |Jicama |Mushroom | Mint

SHRIMP CARPACCIO $10

Mango Relish | Kaffir Olive Oil | Pine Nut

CURRY PUFF $8

Duck Liver & Confit |Taro | Cucumber Relish

EGGPLANT OOP SHAN STYLE $9

Dried Shrimp | Pork | Chiles | Shallot

SALT & PEPPER SHRIMP $12

Tamarind Sauce

BABY LAMB CHOPS SATAY $14

Spicy Peanut Sauce

SPARE RIB ON SUGAR CANE SKEWER $9

Spicy Honey Mustard Glazed

SHORT RIB LEMONGRASS $9

Spicy Honey Mustard Glaze

Wok noodles

PAD SEE IEW $10

Flat Rice Noodles | Kalbi Short Rib | Farm Egg | Green Mango Kimchi

PAD THAI $10

Rice noodles | Salted Red Snapper| Baby Shrimp | Deep Fried Egg

MALAY’S CHAR KWAY TEOW $10

Rice Noodles | Shrimp | Oyster | Chives & Chili

SINGAPORE NOODLES $10

Chinese Sausage | Shrimp | Crispy Lard | Golden Chives

MANILA PANSIT $12

Crispy Egg Noodles | Pork | Chicken | Shrimp | Snow pea

SAIGON VEGETABLE NOODLES $10

Assorted Tofu | Chinese Celery | Bean Sprout | Garlic Chives

Soup Noodles

PHO BO $9
Rare Beef | Brisket | Rice Noodles | Ginger Anise Beef Broth

BUN BO HUE $9
Pig Feet | Beef Shin | Rice noodles | Spicy Lemongrass Broth

CHIANG MAI CURRY NOODLES $9
Spicy Red Curry Beef | Root Vegetable | Egg Noodles

MEKONG FISHERMAN $10
Fish | Shrimp | Vermicelli | Tamarind Seafood Broth

SINGAPORE LAKSA $12
Prawn | Pork | Green Tea Soba | Spicy Curry Broth

Vermicelli noodles

HANGER STEAK $14
Pineapples | Bean Sprout | Herbs | Scallion Oil

GRILLED PORK & SHRIMP $12
Cucumber Salad | Herbs | Lime Dressing

TURMERIC & DILL FISH $13
Dill | Lettuce | Mint

VEGETABLE & TOFU $13
Mushroom | Soy Dressing | Cilantro

Bbq

SPICY BANGKOK CHICKEN $14
Spicy issaan Salsa with Anchovies

VIETNAMESE PORK CHOP $14
Hot and Sweet dipping sauce

SPICY LEMONGRASS KALBI SHORT RIB $17
Sweet Onion

HANGER STEAK $18
Yuca Home Fried | Spicy Ketchup | Herbs Slaw

BBQ WHOLE RED SNAPPER $MK
Spicy Herbs Rub | Lime Fish Sauce

Rice

LAO YELLOW RICE $10
Duck Confit | Golden Chives

HUE’S PERFUME RIVER RICE $12
Dry Shrimp | Lotus Seed | Chinese Sausage | Lemongrass | Scallion

THAI FRIED RICE $10
Bbq Pork | Hot Chili | Poached Egg

Side

STICKY RICE $4
Chinese Sausage

WATER SPINACH $6

BEAN SPROUT & CHIVES $5

SPICY XO SAUCE EGG PLANT $6

Thanks to Lunch’er “Lin” for sending us the menu, and early adopters… let us know how the place is!

OBao, 222 E 53 Street (btw. 2+3rd)