A New Chef at Bako
Broadway newcomer now has Monsoon East and Ba Bar vet Chris Michel in the kitchen.
Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Nov 18, 2011 at 11:00AM
3 Comments
Sleek Chinese restaurant Bako opened October 5, and just six weeks later, there’s a new chef in the kitchen. Owner Keeman Wong says that Chris Michel took over a week ago. Michel previously served as executive chef at two of Eric Banh’s spots: Monsoon East and, for a time, Ba Bar. He also reportedly worked with Mark Fuller as lead cook at Spring Hill.
Wong noted that Michel’s time with Banh means he’s no stranger to the wok and “brings this whole level of elegance that I love.” The chef’s background alone also makes him a logical fit for Bako’s genteel Cantonese-influened menu. His predecessor, Augusto Caudillo, came to Seattle from the Santa Barbara area, where he worked as a private chef and at an Irish gastropub.
The shakeup came about through a Bako server who previously worked at Monsoon, says Wong. “I just saw an opportunity to grab this guy who I know is really talented.” He had kind things to say about his opening chef, though obviously restaurants don’t switch things up after less than two months if everyone is thrilled with how things are going.
Though Caudillo seemed an unconventional choice for the restaurant, I enjoyed the food at Bako on the three occasions I dined there. But early glowing reports from three different regulars (who are, for the record, closely aligned with the restaurant) indicate Michel’s presence is already apparent on the menu.
Wong and his new chef are busy recalibrating some dishes—sigh of relief: the spectacular eight treasure rice will remain, but topped with a fried egg rather than poached—and developing some new dishes as well.
Tags: Bako, Keeman Wong, Chris Michel, Shift Change
While they’re at it they should think about giving customers an updated menu. Been there in the last week and each time I try to order something on the menu, the server says its served differently than how it’s described. Pork instead of oxtail, bok choy instead of greens/Chinese broccoli, etc. If you’re still reworking the menu because of the new chef, maybe print out a new menu for the week instead of using the same menu from the old chef and then telling your diner after they’ve made a decision that they’re not going to get what they’re expecting?
I … Dee Ireland Lewis was the server who took it upon myself to introduce Chris to Keeman… and yes indeed the fit IS perfect..I can say with authority that we now have some of the Best Food on Broadway…Period !!!! PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF IT!
More and guests are walking in the front door and commenting on the aroma alone.
The food that Chris creates just speaks for itself and its just Good Food….not rocket science..just GOOD FOOD….Please come on in and see for yourself and treat yourself to the culinary delights at BAKO ….If I am there..Please make yourself known and allow me to serve you personally and share with you some of the fantastic changes that are taking place right now with the food at BAKO …
@ Tony..I am sorry that you could not get what you had decided upon but I will tell you this trust your servers at BAKO with Food recommendations now and we apologize that we have not done it All At Once but we HAVE taken steps to correct or address the over the top negative reviews that we receives on Yelp…sometimes it seems like no matter what what the new kid on the block does it is not right…
Let me just assure you that if things are different or changed from what they were when we first opened……there’s a reason…and I don’t think you would have been happy if we continued to put out a product that just wasn’t right….Our new menu will be in place with our new cocktail menu and wine list very soon…I hope you will come back and see us when those things are in place…until then…Thank you for sharing your comments with us !