Best meals of 2015: The Fatty Bao at #8

The Fatty Bao has been an uncommon launch this year. It doesn't try to fit a specific 'this is hot right now' category, and possibly that's why it works. TFB doesn't try to replicate the biggest hits from the current stars' kitchens choosing, instead, to tread its own path while carefully catering to traditional and adventurous palates, alike.

With Chef Manu Chandra at the helm, TFB has created a rather interesting menu. Let's get this straight, I won't ever visit TFB for their dimsum or sushi. That's strictly military medium. 

Where TFB scores is with their interesting small plates.

Wakame and crabmeat salad

Salmon carpaccio 

The char siu pork baos are bloody finger-lickin' good and need to be on any swine lover's to-do list, 

Char siu pork baos

and only a fool vegetarian should dare miss the eggplant baos because she doesn't like 'baingan'. These are surprisingly good and always on point. Don't take my word for it. Try em. 

Egg plant bao-wows

And the duck baos. Those too!

Shenjianbaos...duck baos

Brie is not a std cheese available in apro des. It's pricey because it is...French? So a French cheese pakoda about sums it right. It's good. 

Brie tempura

The braised pork belly with miso jam (R-rated PB&J) is meant for those with a death wish or for those that have recently passed their lipids lab test with flying colors. It is one of the most delicious piggy artery cloggers you'd find in the city. 

And if you're the kind that's too cheap to spend 3000 quid eating a 150 gm portion of black cod miso at Wasabi then I have it on good authority that the TFB BCM is pretty darned close at less than 50% of the price. I have eaten it twice, and though it's very good, it's not quit the manna it is promised to be. Keep your optimism on a low flame, enthusiasm high, and order it. Life's too short not to.

On the sweet front, if you're a sweet-tooth-less person like me that loves all things citrus then just get one dish. The green tea chiffon cake with yuzu sorbet. It's fresh and sparkling. Like a splash of some terrific eau de cologne after a shave and massage. Ya, get it.

All in all, TFB is a place worth loving and cherishing.