by Andrew Morrison | Six years ago today I took a bunch of photos of Bao Bei as it was just starting to come together at 163 Keefer Street in Chinatown. It wasn’t the first time I’d poked my head in and it wouldn’t the last in the award-winning restaurant’s arc before opening day. The gallery below shows construction process from the summer of 2009 through to the night before launch and beyond.

The neighbourhood has changed considerably since then; buildings have come down and condos have gone up — unsurprisingly, so have the rents.The restaurant has gained new neighbours and lost others over the years, but it has stayed largely the same. It still serves up excellent cocktails,  and a unique ambience that these photos don’t even hint at, and it’s just as hard to get a table today as it was at the start. Go figure.

The restaurant has gained new neighbours and lost others over the years, but it has stayed largely the same. It still serves up excellent cocktails, superb dumplings and a unique ambience that these photos don’t even hint at, and it’s just as hard to get a table today as it was at the start. Go figure.

As we reported back in June, owner Tannis Ling is opening a second restaurant, this time with Bao Bei chef Joël Watanabe and sous chef Alain Chow on board as co-owners. Located at 263 East Pender St. (also in Chinatown), Kissa Tanto will be Italian-Japanese themed, and is due to open at some point in the New Year.

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