Ok, I was sooo looking forward to a fine Asian meal. The food was ok at best. The service was great, except for the seating. We were taken to a back room where there are these little cubby holes... More

Ok, I was sooo looking forward to a fine Asian meal. The food was ok at best. The service was great, except for the seating. We were taken to a back room where there are these little cubby holes . I'm thinking, ok, this might be romantic (a la Como Inn). Wrong!! If anything, it was horribly dark, the walls looked and made me feel like I was in some prison or something. Defnintely not romantic. You couldn't even see the main dining room at all. I mean, it was oppressive back there. My guest and I will NEVER go back. If you don't have claustrophobia, you will have it by the time you're done with your appetizer (which was not special enough to even mention here.) Pros: nice upscale neighborhood Cons: Cells in the back
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Well it used to be my favorite restaurant, however, I do agree with some of the recently posted reviews. The food quality had gone completely south.. there used to be a time when I used to think... More

Well it used to be my favorite restaurant, however, I do agree with some of the recently posted reviews. The food quality had gone completely south.. there used to be a time when I used to think their Field Green Salad was the bomb... tasted it this evening... not sure what they did to it, but it was horrible. How can you mess up a good salad? Peking Duck Service has been taken off the prix fixe menu... why not just keep it and charge extra for it, if it really costs them that much. Anyway, stay away from the whitefish and beef/asparagus - we tried them and both were terrible, especially the whitefish was bland and at best average. The desserts were both terrible - some cornbread like concoction for 8 bucks and the worst key lime pie I have ever had. The best part of the meal was golden shrimp which I have had many times before. I wonder how long it will take for them to mess that up. Guess, I won't know, because I am definitely not going back there. Pros: Golden Shrimp Cons: Most food is mediocre to bad and wine list is very poor
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Opera aims to dazzle, but the food is far from extraordinary. I was excited about trying this place, but it is indeed a fact that there cuisine lacks sophistication. There are great upscale chinese... More

Opera aims to dazzle, but the food is far from extraordinary. I was excited about trying this place, but it is indeed a fact that there cuisine lacks sophistication. There are great upscale chinese places in New York that far outshine anything the chef can muster up at Red Light or Opera, which have great decor but neglect what is of paramount importance to a great dining experience- the food. I realized immediately after tasting the food that this had to be a part of a franchise. The ingredients lacked freshness. The flavors were not creatively matched, and lacked depth of flavor. Last year, I went to a restaurant called Swagath in Defense Colony, New Delhi (that's India, so it's a ways from here). But, i must say, it will be worth your trip. The chef specializes in regional Indian fare and Chinese Fare, and excels in his execution. Brilliant combinations of flavor and ingredients await you in every single dish you try. This is exceptional Chinese (and Indian). One trip to a restaurant like Swagath, and you'll understand that cuisine can be far more enriching and creative than one experiences at Opera or Red Light. Pros: Decent Food Cons: Very Good Service
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We went on a Sunday at 6 pm without reservations and excited to eat at Opera again. We walked in with tons of tables available. We went in and the hostess told us that there is a 20-30 minute... More

We went on a Sunday at 6 pm without reservations and excited to eat at Opera again. We walked in with tons of tables available. We went in and the hostess told us that there is a 20-30 minute waiting time and we should just wait at the bar. What we don't understand is why can't they sit us when there were so many open tables, inside and outside the restaurant. To seem like they are so hoppin? So, we went next door to Zapatista, got seated immediately and got a great meal. After our dinner, we looked at Opera and it was stil not full. They lost business from us that night but will lose more because we will never come back there again to be treated bad and will definitely tell our friends about this pretentiousness. Pros: great ambiance, good food when you get seated Cons: even with available tables, 20 minutes wait!
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If you want somewhere to take your girl; this is the spot. Make a reservation and ask for a vault. I repeat: reserve a vault. The vaults are dimly lit, semi-private, cozy little squares in the... More

If you want somewhere to take your girl; this is the spot. Make a reservation and ask for a vault. I repeat: reserve a vault. The vaults are dimly lit, semi-private, cozy little squares in the back of the restaurant. The restaurant offers pan-asian food that is moderately priced. You and you date can eat well for under $80. Valet parking is $10. So bring $90 to be safe. The food was pretty good. I was impressed with the Tao of chocolate, which is flourless chocolate cake and cherry-vanilla ice cream. Pros: Ambience Cons: no cons, Opera is all good
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The atmosphere is wonderful and the scallops were DA BOMB!!! Totally going back! They have a great bar with fun selections! The service is also great, quick efficient.

The atmosphere is wonderful and the scallops were DA BOMB!!! Totally going back! They have a great bar with fun selections! The service is also great, quick efficient.
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Opera has a nice atmosphere but that is about it. The food is expensive and average and the service was incredibly slow. Ten minutes after we finished our apetizers the waitress came to take our... More

Opera has a nice atmosphere but that is about it. The food is expensive and average and the service was incredibly slow. Ten minutes after we finished our apetizers the waitress came to take our main course order. My check for two (with tip) was $260 - this is partly due to the fact that we had to order two bottles of wine (what else are you going to do when the wait staff ignores you). We sat in one of the vaults - which sounds charming but is a bad idea; the vaults hide you from the only part of the experience that is worthwhile... the colorful interior. My advice - save yourself a few bucks and order Chinalite. Opera is an overpriced, average restaurant, with inadequate service. Pros: Atmosphere Cons: Food, price, and service
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