Bai Cafe

We were there for lunch on a whim, and I couldn't agree more with the first reviewer.  Cafe Bai is a very interesting addition to the Lakeview restaurant scene.  

It's an Uzbek "cafe" which consists of a large open restaurant space dotted with tables, some minimal decoration on the walls, and a tribute wall to Uzbekistan (or Uz-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan as former political silly man Herman Cain called it some months ago).  There are two coolers, both of which are about a third filled.

The staff consists of one cook, who appears Uzbek and speaks only a little English, and a constantly changing group of Uzbek men ranging from 20 to 40's who seem to move between the kitchen / back area and the front area with impunity.  The cook acted as cook, server and busser.

As for the food, the menu is fairly spartan and gives no clue as to what the Uzbek specialties are.  We put ourselves in the hands of the cook and asked him to make what he recommended.  Out came a lamb soup, essentially large pieces of vegetables and well-marbled pieces of lamb or mutton in a fairly flavorful broth.  The meat was quite fatty for Western tastes but was pretty tasty once consumed.  The lunch entree was about 6 ounces of beef cut into pieces, with a small tomato salad, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and rice.  The meat was again somewhat fatty and gristly, and certainly overcooked, but when combined with the rice, cabbage, potatoes, and tomatoes, made a decent 'stew' like concoction.

I can't say I would strongly recommend it, but it's worth exploring further to see what creative things lurk in the kitchen.

Finally, as an aside, the Turkish soft drinks here are excellent.  Uludag Gazoz is something akin to Juicy Fruit in liquid form, and my wife's sparkling water with green apple (didn't catch the name, unfortunately) was really good.

Not for the shy or the faint of heart.  

For me, it was love at first sight.  A new Central Asian restaurant next to the creepy store that sells dogs from a puppy mill!  Perfect!

Do not be distracted by the printed-out PDF fake menus you will be presented with when you walk your honky self into this place.  Do not be intimidated by the gang of mid-30s Uzbek ruffians who would probably maim you and kill your horse with a salvaged piece of metal chain if you lived in Osh.  Be brave and ask to talk to the cook.  

Despite appearing exactly like a front for a Chicago ammunition smuggling operation, they DO have food here.  

If you want a cute date night Uzbek food adventure, go to Chaihanna in the suburbs and stay away from this place.  If you want to roll up your sleeves and settle in to a real hang out for surly Central Asians, then take a deep breath and ring the bell to be buzzed in.