Lao 18

Lao 18

I missed the media event earlier this week, so I was invited in to try some items last night.

We started with edamame dumplings, which had some subtle spice going on in there, but overall a little too much unrelieved carb. These little guys needed sauce of some sort, but I liked the flavor and the texture:



My main was the Peking duck, which co-owner Bing Zhou wrapped in what seemed small flour tortillas (we've noticed this trend in other Chinese restaurants). The duck itself was superb, very finely cut, and the skin was excellently crisped:



I figured the 18 referred to the address, which it must, but I was told that 18 is also a lucky number in China. Are there any numbers that are not lucky in China?

Lao 18
18 W. Hubbard
http://www.lao18.com/

David Hammond wrote:My main was the Peking duck, which co-owner Bing Zhou wrapped in what seemed small flour tortillas (we've noticed this trend in other Chinese restaurants).

The flour tortillas are standard for Peking duck when you're actually in Peking. Good to see someone doing it right (nothing against those who serve it with baozi, but I've missed the tortillas).

David Hammond wrote:Are there any numbers that are not lucky in China?

Yes, the number 4

Thanks for the quick report. I'll head over as soon as I can. The duck service looks spot-on

mtgl wrote:

David Hammond wrote:My main was the Peking duck, which co-owner Bing Zhou wrapped in what seemed small flour tortillas (we've noticed this trend in other Chinese restaurants).

The flour tortillas are standard for Peking duck when you're actually in Peking. Good to see someone doing it right (nothing against those who serve it with baozi, but I've missed the tortillas).

Others in town do it right. I did Chinese New Year at Cai in Chinatown and they also used the tortillas.


In any case, thanks for the quick report. I'm glad some more authentic Chinese is in greater "downtown." I'll be interested to see how the bar/lounge turns out too (and how late it will stay open. I can hope for 4am but, who knows). The place looks great.

mtgl wrote:The flour tortillas are standard for Peking duck when you're actually in Peking. Good to see someone doing it right (nothing against those who serve it with baozi, but I've missed the tortillas).

I've never been to the mainland, so I had had thought baozi was the norm...and actually, I prefer baozi as I think the carb platform is less intrusive, allowing the flavor of the quacker comes through more clearly. Thanks for enlightening me (and providing support for the theory that what we believe is authentic is basically what we ate the first time we had the thing).

So the Gang of Four just had a run of predictable bad luck?

My understanding is that serving it with mantou is a Cantonese variation. The traditional version is definitely with the pancakes.

Quick question: On their menu it shows "small bites" which would be considered dim sum-ish, but I know they haven't rolled out their lunch at least. Do you think there will be another menu? I am really hoping that if they do, they have REAL Shanghainese dumpling. A few places in town to claim they have it don't serve it authentic.

marothisu wrote: Do you think there will be another menu?

Wow, couldn't say...though I am talking to Tony Hu next week, so I'll ask.

Mandarin pancake are not exactly flour tortillas, although the ingredients are somewhat similar. They're also used for the mu shu dishes. I believe that Cathy2 has posted on making these. Cathy...help me here...

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/29 ... b-20100729

Evil Ronnie wrote:Mandarin pancake are not exactly flour tortillas, although the ingredients are somewhat similar. They're also used for the mu shu dishes. I believe that Cathy2 has posted on making these. Cathy...help me here...

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/29 ... b-20100729

I think I remember reading that post...though I also remember that the first time I had mu shu pork, it came in the thinner, diaphanous sheets...and then the tortillas came.

David Hammond wrote:Lao 18


I figured the 18 referred to the address, which it must, but I was told that 18 is also a lucky number in China. Are there any numbers that are not lucky in China?

Lao 18
18 W. Hubbard
http://www.lao18.com/

4 - it sounds like the word for "death."

Hurdler4eva wrote:

David Hammond wrote:Lao 18


I figured the 18 referred to the address, which it must, but I was told that 18 is also a lucky number in China. Are there any numbers that are not lucky in China?

Lao 18
18 W. Hubbard
http://www.lao18.com/

4 - it sounds like the word for "death."

For those seeking hours of fun reading about the intersection of modern political economy and the Chinese number 4 superstition.

David (anyone else) do you have a menu?

I don't see one online yet, although they are using open table for reservations.

David Hammond wrote:

mtgl wrote:So the Gang of Four just had a run of predictable bad luck?

No doubt, they have:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPJHQmJAiKA

I just wrote a lengthy post and it disappeared, I'm afraid. To sum it up, my partner and I went to Lao 18 last night at 8:30pm with high hopes, as we live in the 'hood. Disappointing. The restaurant was only 1/4 full, and had a "deathwatch" feel, which is scary since they're so new. Hits were the pork dumplings, the peking duck egg rolls, and the chicken in lettuce leaf. Disappointing were the peking duck (duck was dry, and the skin thin and devoid of much flavor), and the cumin lamb (too spicy/hot with no crisp on the lamb). With cocktails (one each) the tab came to $167 with tip.

I want the place to succeed; we were so looking forward to this. But the food could not compare with Lao Sze Chuan in Chinatown (though the venue is much nicer in River North, although it was so empty) or Lao Hunan.

Maybe they'll work out some issues, but they better move fast.

Here's the dinner menu,and the lunch menu; DutchMuse's post has made me leery, though, particularly since I've switched law firms. Once you get inside the Sears Tower, especially 84 floors up, it's just too much of a hassle to go out for lunch all the way up in River North, unless it's to the Pret a Manger right across the street on Franklin, or the Sopraffina at the AT&T building, half a block away. Hope the Evanston Lao Sze Chuan outpost (opening in August, IIRC) is up to snuff!

I don't want to put a pall on the place; I really want it to succeed! But it just didn't have the right "energy" (the vibe reminded me of the old Ai near my home....always empty and just ... void...) and the food wan't right. But they're new...maybe they'll get themselves on point.

Tried going to Lao 18 for brunch today. Their website indicated that they were open 11:30AM to 10PM on Sundays, but they were closed without any information posted on the door without so much as a light on inside. Anyone know if they are gone?

I called Lao 18 today and found that they are still around, but are now only open for dinner on the weekends.

I had lunch here about a two weeks ago and it was pretty tasty. We ate early so it was completely empty when I checked in but by the time I left two hours later, it was pretty full up. The food was very good -- pretty much what i expect from Tony Hu, and I had good renditions of the Crispy Shrimp and Mayo, the Mongolian Beef and a pretty spicy Kung Pao chicken. Shui Mai were okay -- not bad, but I've tasted much more flavorful versions of shrimp dumplings, and the potstickers were okay as well.

I like the restaurant design, and frankly, any Chinese option in the loop or river north is welcome. Short of Panda (blech) or PJ Chang's (expensive blech) there's not much around.

I did think that the lunch portions were a bit small for sharing. But we ended up ordering a third entree because of that, and with Chinese food -- I think that's a bonus. Variety!

earthlydesire wrote:I had lunch here about a two weeks ago and it was pretty tasty. We ate early so it was completely empty when I checked in but by the time I left two hours later, it was pretty full up. The food was very good -- pretty much what i expect from Tony Hu, and I had good renditions of the Crispy Shrimp and Mayo, the Mongolian Beef and a pretty spicy Kung Pao chicken. Shui Mai were okay -- not bad, but I've tasted much more flavorful versions of shrimp dumplings, and the potstickers were okay as well.

I like the restaurant design, and frankly, any Chinese option in the loop or river north is welcome. Short of Panda (blech) or PJ Chang's (expensive blech) there's not much around.

I did think that the lunch portions were a bit small for sharing. But we ended up ordering a third entree because of that, and with Chinese food -- I think that's a bonus. Variety!

There's also Shanghai Pavilion, but while it's well executed and IMO well-prepared food, the price point makes it a special occasion, and it's more "gourmet food in a Chinese vein" than Chinese cuisine.

We haven't been to Lao 18 yet, but after reading the menu, I can't say I find the entree offerings compelling compared to Lao Hunan or Lao Yunnan (a few of the appetizers are edgier). And why anyone would eat at a Lao restaurant and order Mongolian Beef , Governor's Chicken, let alone Kung Pao, is beyond me.

At least they have Three Cups Chicken...but unless it's a business lunch I'd rather go to Chinatown and eat the real thing than settle for something aiming higher than PF Chang, but not as high as, say, Roka Akor does with Japanese.

strucker, I think you nailed it.

Lao 18 "temporarily" closed: http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2013/ ... rarily.php

And I almost ended up there for lunch with coworkers today, which would have made the second time I'd gone to try Lao 18 during posted hours only to find it closed. Glad I chose Publican Quality Meats instead!

Mmm... Pork belly gyro...

DMK Restaurants, which owns seven concepts around Chicago including DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar and County Barbeque, have taken a controlling interest in Lao 18, Tony Hu's short-lived foray into River North.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... o-18-space