Take a Bao opens in Studio City

Take a Bao's newest addition on Ventura Boulevard is now open. After opening the fast casual restaurant in the Century City Westfield mall three years ago, the trio of owners decided to expand with a second location in Studio City.

In conjunction with American tastes and French technique, chef Gavin Portsmouth's Asian-inspired menu explores dishes from all over Asia. There are traditional Chinese steamed, filled bao buns (made in the San Gabriel Valley), fresh noodles, local produce and all-natural meats.

The buns are rolled out flat and then stuffed with various fillings such as duck confit, fried chicken and slaw or a Korean barbecue short rib. Besides the eatery's bao, other offerings include salads, noodles such as the "drunken tomato tamarind" and rice bowls. With a locally sourced menu, the restaurant's desserts come from Milk on Beverly Boulevard while Silver Lake's LA Mill supplies its coffees and teas. Rumor has it, the chocolate s'more bao is a crowd pleaser, but there are others in case marshmallows aren't your "thing": a banana Nutella bao, a beer float and a macaron ice cream sandwich made the cut-off too.

11838 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 691-7223, takeabao.com.

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Photo credit: Mieko Takechi Arquillos