BAOBAO

Bao is a word in the Chinese language for dumpling. Eszter Laki from Budapest  Hungary, designed a menu that reminds me a lot of the Za's menu here in Champaign Illinois. You can check off exactly what you want on their write on menus. Only this restaurant is more Asian than Italian.

Eszter Laki goes on to say "I have made a dozen hand drawings during my Asian journey therefore these sketches became a starting point of the interior’s imagery including the dim sum reference drawings which were painted on the wall after projection. The cooking processes are indicated on different labels as well, all using a typical neon red tone specifically present in the Vietnamese urban landscapes and hand-painted glazed signs. This tone is in frequent use in Vietnam with food-stamps as well, they mark different kind of fillings with the stamp used on the noodle’s bare surface. The origami folded chopstick cases and the bamboo streamer pots wear the same neon red logo which was applied by tampon printing. The menu card is from disposable paper on which the guests are able mark their order. There is a farewell surprise – when leaving every guest gets a fortune cookie in which the content is carefully dedicated to the truth whatever it may be. 

The restaurant has its own draft beer therefore I made the beer mat part of the identity which evokes Asian visual culture with fine hop drawings. "

BAOBAO