Taking Big BITES of Asian Cuisine

Whenever I write about a restaurant, I normally actually write about it – using words. I describe what was on the menu, how it tasted, how it was presented, etc. At our Chef’s Table at BITES, however, we’d end up with a small novella. The quantity and quality of flavors and presentations were almost overwhelming. It was a two-hour stream of dish after drink after dish. We tried nearly all of their small bites as well as select items from other sections of the menu. It was an extravaganza of epic proportions, and we loved all the BITES.

From the first course of garlic edamame to the final course of Saigon Tiramisu, our journey was a culinary exploration of not only Asian but also fusion cuisine. There are Japanese, Thai, Chinese, and Korean influences, and there are other countries in the mix as well. Mussels are sauteed in sake and basil cream. The gyoza is accompanied by an aioli, and the fried lane snapper comes with warm corn tortillas and cilantro-chili salsa. The flavors complement instead of compete, and it’s a prime example of fusion done well.

Instead of telling you about all these dishes, I’ll show you. A picture may say a thousand words, but these all say the same thing: Get to BITES and enjoy your own extravaganza.

 

 

 

Pink Lotus

Vodka, lemon, raspberry liqueur, soda

BITES Cocktail

 

Garlic Edamame

Garlic Edamame

 

Taro Fries

Sprinkled with garlic salt and served with parsley aioli and umami ketchup

Taro Fries

 

Dim Sum Set

Dim Sum Set

 

Crispy Shrimp Cakes

Panko-crusted crispy delight, served with cucumber salad and sweet chili sauce

Crispy Shrimp Cakes

Cucumber Salad

 

Spicy Crab Rangoon

Crispy pastry sheets filled with spicy cream cheese, kanikama, minced celery, and onion 

Spicy Crab Rangoon

Spicy Crab Rangoon

Jumbo Shrimp Shumai

Steamed shrimp dumplings, fried garlic, sesame and cilanto with whiskey soy

Jumbo Shrimp Shumai

 

Emerald Gyoza

Pan-fried edamame and mixed vegetable dumplings with wasabi aioli and whiskey soy

Emerald Gyoza

Gentleman’s Wood

Bourbon, cherry, mango, orange and cherry bitters

BITES Cocktail

 

Salmon Ceviche 

Fresh Norwegian salmon, avocado, edamame, toasted rice powder, yuzo-soy, and shrimp chips

Salmon Ceviche

 

Crying Tiger

Marinated skirt steak, grilled to perfection, with tamarind lime chutney

Crying Tiger - Marinated skirt steak

General’s Duck Leg

Braised and battered and served with wasabi slaw and pickled onion

General's Duck Leg

 

Vegetable Tempura

Vegetable Tempura

Basil Cream Mussels

Fresh and sustainable, with sweet sake, basil, garlic, and sweet Thai chili

Basil Cream Mussels

 

Blueberry Mojito

White rum, elderflower liqueur, blueberry, lemon, and mint

Blueberry Mojito

 

Basil Butter Chili Prawns

Made with lots of butter, sweet corn, fresh basil, and chili paste

Basil Butter Chili Prawns

Basil Butter Chili Prawns

Squid Ink Fried Rice

Jumbo Gulf shrimp, cherry tomato, shiitake, edamame, sweet corn, and fresh basil

Squid Ink Fried Rice with jumbo gulf shrimp

Squid Ink Fried Rice

 

Veggie Fried Rice

Diced kobacha squash, shiitake, edamame, sweet corn, and cauliflower

Veggie Fried Rice

Veggie Fried Rice

 

My Tai

Kraken, Malibu, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine

Mai Tai

 

Fried Lane Snapper with Green Mango slaw

Lightly breaded and served with warm corn tortillas and cilantro-chili salsa 

Fried Lane Snapper w/ Green Mango slaw

Saigon Tiramisu

Saigon Tiramisu

Want to take some BITES out of all of the above? Visit 3313 N ClarK Street Monday through Thursday from 4pm to 10pm, Friday from 4pm to 2am, Saturday from 11am to 3am, and Sunday from 11am to 10pm. Their late-night menu is from 11pm to 1:30am on Friday and Saturday, and brunch is Saturday and Sunday until 3pm. They’ve also got happy hour seven days a week.


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