Tao

My ex-boyfriend took me here awhile ago, thinking I'd recognize it from Sex and the City (and truthfully - he was right to think so, considering there's a ridiculously huge and hard-to-miss budda at the back of the restaurant), but I didn't, unfortunately. He also complained the whole time about how expensive the meal was and how the food itself wasn't that great. As a result, I didn't have the best time.. I think I remember really enjoying the atmosphere of the place, but if I don't remember the food being that good, it could be because he biased me. I'd recommend going if only because of the SATC connection. :) more

i absolutely love the decor at this place. i will never forget the enormous Buddha! the space is really big (3 levels of seating). restaurant serves asian dishes (mainly chinese and japanese and thai). service is so so and food wasn't particularly memorable but the ambiance makes this place worthy of at least a visit. but make sure to go in the evening to enjoy the scene. more

Tao is absolutely somewhere you have to eat at some point in New York. The inside is spectacular - very spacious (unlike a lot of NY restaurants) with perfect lighting. The service is also very good - for lunch I had a three course meal in less than an hour. The pad thai there is amazing, and you cannot pass up dessert here. The portions are a great size. To top it all off, they give you your leftovers in actual tupperware. It is a little pricey, but for what you get it is worth treating yourself once in a while. more

The atmosphere is vibrant and very swanky, with a huge buddha overlooking the fairly large cavernous space. The bar in front allows those waiting for tables to grab a drink and sit on square couches. Upon entering the dining area, the ceiling arches high above and you seem to be entering a deeper hole underground where music pulses and candlelight glimmers across the entire room. Definitely worth a visit, and a great place to take out-of-towners and dates. more

Tao is an amazing place. You almost can't believe it when you enter. It's like another world. The decor is amazing and the giant budda is spectacular. And the food - ah, the food! We've gone twice for restaurant week which is probably the best way to eat there without breaking the bank. The pad thai is excellent and my friend loved the steak. Their desserts are fantastic too. And don't forget the cocktails. Mmmm! Lychee martini! more

This is a must-eat for anyone visiting or living in New York. We read some unfavorable reviews but were pleasantly surprised. We made reservations and were seated immediately despite our early arrival. The bar area was dark and full of young, hip-looking people. The interior of the restaurant is beyond words. The enormous Buddah is worth the trip alone. Bring your camera and sneak a few photos of this place. The food was surprisingly good. There were plenty of choices ranging from sushi to steak. Everything from our appetizers to our desserts were great. I recommend the wasabi crusted steak as an entree. The service was very attentive yet not overbearing. Top-notch. It's not an inexpensive meal, but at $100 for 2 of us with wine & dessert, I didn't find it to be overpriced either. Take a date, or stop for drinks at the bar after work. Highly recommend a trip to this restaurant. more

This is the most beautiful chinese restaurant that I have ever seen .This trendy restaurant and bar are housed in a building which used to be a movie theatre and you can see this in the high ceilings of the dining area and the opportunity to dine in the old projector room. This is usually booked for private parties but if it's not reserved, it will be opened to the public as the other two floors fill up, so ask for it if you are interested. There are a few areas to explore once inside. After depositing your coat in the cloakroom you come to the main bar, a very dark and murky affair with atmospheric lighting provided by red mock Chinese lanterns hanging from the low ceiling and the glare of mirrors and strip lighting behind the bar. It is mostly standing room only with a few leather sofas and stools for those who want to perch. The music is load so don’t go expecting a quiet conversation. more