We cannot wait to bring our friends here. Not fancy high end snobby joint, but a very homey relaxed family atmosphere. Duolan informed us that her restaurant is owner/chef operated and tonights chef was owner 'JOSH'. She came to us as we were on our way out to check on our experience and we could not help but gush over what XBB puts out for an overall dining experience. Turns out, she was one of the owners (Duolan Li). As we were finishing up our dining experience, we noticed a lady going from table to table speaking with diners.

Served 'Manhattan style' with Ramazzotti Amaro, chocolate bitters and bourbon served with a twist of orange peel. We opted to share an after dinner beverage. She said it was good, but a 'lighter beer would have been better'. I had the Howling Wolf Hefeweisen which paired well with the meal. I love the spicy dishes.not the 'burn your face off' type of spice, but heat with flavor! We each had two beers. So we ordered another Okonomiyaki!! **Some of the dishes had some good 'heat' to them, however, when we ordered the Gong Bao Xia after the spicy dishes, it somehow put the 'fire' out. We were still craving more! Not that the 'share' items were lacking portion wise, but that the food was just so fantastic. So, we didn't stop! LOL we ordered the GONG BAO XIA- Head on local shrimp (Love the fact they are using local ingredients) stir fried with green beans, peanuts and toasted chili. We ordered it with the 'pork candy'.OMG, wonderful! So many flavors and textures going on in this simple yet complex offering. But we both loved it! Then we had the OKONOMIYAKI- cabbage pancake. Next came the SAMUN PHRAI- Herbal Thai sausage with roasted veggies in a yam, coconut, chili sauce with basil.i loved the heat of the spice, my wife found it a bit too hot for her. We started with JIAO ZI-Chao Shou style pork wontons in a spicy chili sauce.fantastic, just the right amount of heat and the flavor was spot on. We ordered off of the 'share' menu.tapas. My wife and I were seated at a corner low table. Nothing fancy by any means.but it works! There were a mish-mash of barstool seats, they had some 'tall-boy' tables and some low tables with bench seating. The interior decor was that of an abandoned warehouse that a couple 'foodies' held a secret dinner in. The entire staff worked in harmony with each other shuttling drinks, plates and taking time with each customer. Very attentive without being overwhelming. She was fantastic! Very knowledgable of the menu as well as the beverage menu. There were not a lot of customers (scary), but not to worry. We were greeted at the door and seated immediately (6:00pm on a Friday night). There were some plantings that acted as a 'wall' between the outside dining and the street traffic.

The old 'pump area' of the converted gas station was repurposed as outside dining area. We were a bit leery about XBB based on the exterior. Xiao Bao Biscuit: Black Bean fried chicken - See 397 traveler reviews, 114 candid photos, and great deals for Charleston, SC, at Tripadvisor. We parked out front (one of about 6 parking spots on property). We drove by a couple of times until we realized the abandoned looking old garage is actually the restaurant! Very low key and unassuming from the outside. If you don't know where it is, find it! if you can't find it, ask someone! Friends of ours recommended we give it a try. The Optimist Hall location will hone in on Southeast Asian favorites from Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia, and promises to offer big, bold and funky flavor.Xiao Bao biscuit. Visitors can expect to sample dishes infused with flavors from both Li’s childhood in Beijing and as well as that the couple discovered during their travels. “We’ve wanted to do Xiao Bao again in another city for quite some time, so we’re super excited to open in Charlotte and really appreciate what we’ve seen of the city and the community here so far,” chef/owner Walker said in a statement. Now, Charlotte will get to experience the flavors that earned the restaurant mentions in both Bon Appetit and The New York Times. Enter Xiao Bao Biscuit, the brand’s first spot in Charleston, S.C., named after Walker’s nickname for Li. Upon returning from a honeymoon in Asia, owners Joshua Walker and Duolan Li craved a way to satisfy their appetite for Asian food. Now, Charlotte will get to experience the flavors that earned the restaurant mentions. On Monday, March 8, Xiao Bao will open its stall in Optimist Hall, adding even more diverse flavor to the food hall. Enter Xiao Bao Biscuit, the brand’s first spot in Charleston, S.C., named after Walker’s nickname for Li. Xiao Bao brings Southeast Asian flavors to Optimist Hall, with dishes including this Hungry in LA Pad Kra Pow.

Xiao bao biscuit