Pao Town brings Asian twist to Gables dining scene

September 7th, 2012
Pao Town opening celebration

Pastor Pedro Garcia leads guests in an opening prayer. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

John and Anne Knowles. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Pao Town's Abe Ng, Mayor Jim Cason, Chamber Chair Darla Thompson and Chamber President & CEO Mark Trowbridge. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Traditional Chinese lions welcome guests to Pao Town. Photo by Betty Alvare

Pao Town opening celebration

Servers bring out teri chicken and french fries. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Servers pour beer for guests. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Karen Pascual and Laura Russo. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Michael Loeb, general manager of Pao Town, does his best lion imitation at the opening reception. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Susan Colarte, Elsa Almaguer and Helen Stephens. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Anler Morejon, Karen Pascual and Zachary Sulkes. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Marisa Casablanca and Lorena Nicieza. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Server presents a tray of delicious American Kobe beef sliders. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Pao Town's opening reception draws a spirited crowd. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Festivities include a traditional lion dance. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Carolina Rendeiro and Yesenia Moreno. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Mayor Jim Cason gives the city seal to Pao Town's Abe Ng. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Bibi Murgado, Lissa Torres and Jessica Hernandez. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Guests enjoy the welcome celebration at Pao Town. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Dustin Symes, Jorge Gonzalez, Karen Pascual, Brad Rosenblatt and Maiko Xavier. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Coral Gables Chamber President & CEO Mark Trowbridge, Chamber Chair Darla Thompson and Mayor Jim Cason. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Ruben and Terry Romeu and Khiem Nguven. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Mayor Jim Cason, Drew Kern, Tina Sayago and Lane Atkins. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pao Town opening celebration

Chef Allen Ng at work in the kitchen. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Pastor Pedro Garcia leads guests in an opening prayer. Photo by Betty AlvarezJohn and Anne Knowles. Photo by Betty AlvarezPao Town's Abe Ng, Mayor Jim Cason, Chamber Chair Darla Thompson and Chamber President & CEO Mark Trowbridge. Photo by Betty AlvarezTraditional Chinese lions welcome guests to Pao Town. Photo by Betty AlvareServers bring out teri chicken and french fries. Photo by Betty AlvarezServers pour beer for guests. Photo by Betty AlvarezKaren Pascual and Laura Russo. Photo by Betty AlvarezMichael Loeb, general manager of Pao Town, does his best lion imitation at the opening reception. Photo by Betty AlvarezSusan Colarte, Elsa Almaguer and Helen Stephens. Photo by Betty AlvarezAnler Morejon, Karen Pascual and Zachary Sulkes. Photo by Betty AlvarezMarisa Casablanca and Lorena Nicieza. Photo by Betty AlvarezServer presents a tray of delicious American Kobe beef sliders. Photo by Betty AlvarezPao Town's opening reception draws a spirited crowd. Photo by Betty AlvarezFestivities include a traditional lion dance. Photo by Betty AlvarezCarolina Rendeiro and Yesenia Moreno. Photo by Betty AlvarezMayor Jim Cason gives the city seal to Pao Town's Abe Ng. Photo by Betty AlvarezBibi Murgado, Lissa Torres and Jessica Hernandez. Photo by Betty AlvarezGuests enjoy the welcome celebration at Pao Town. Photo by Betty AlvarezDustin Symes, Jorge Gonzalez, Karen Pascual, Brad Rosenblatt and Maiko Xavier. Photo by Betty AlvarezCoral Gables Chamber President & CEO Mark Trowbridge, Chamber Chair Darla Thompson and Mayor Jim Cason. Photo by Betty AlvarezRuben and Terry Romeu and Khiem Nguven. Photo by Betty AlvarezMayor Jim Cason, Drew Kern, Tina Sayago and Lane Atkins. Photo by Betty AlvarezChef Allen Ng at work in the kitchen. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Bringing a fast-casual taste of the Far East to Coral Gables, Pao Town debuted with a colorful celebration Wednesday evening, Sept. 5.

Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason and Chamber of Commerce representatives welcomed Abe Ng and the Pao Town team to their venue at 2624 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in a celebration that featured dancing lions, firecrackers, giant tattooed mantau buns and samurai swords.

The menu at the Asian gastro-pub includes sticky ribs, shrimp truck scampi, pork belly buns, kimchee-topped hotdogs and bacon and pineapple fried rice. Customers order from the counter; a server brings the meal to their tables.

After Wednesday evening’s VIP event, Pao Town opened to the public on Thursday, Sept. 6.

For more information visit its Facebook page or call 305-760-4726.

Photos by Betty Alvarez / Events Photographer