As a native Manhattanite with a thick skin and experienced palate, I must disagree with the other New Yorker that gave an excellent review. Buddha Bar is the antithesis of everything that is Manhattan, which sets itself apart from other American cities with its more European, yet wonderfully distinctive American style. BB is just like every other warehouse, Disney-like structure taking over the once quaint Meatpacking District, where at one time only locals knew about & dared to travel. Now, BB is just like all the other chains (yes, chains that are concept restaurants moved from one city to another, from NYC to Vegas & in this case from Paris to NYC) popping up & taking over what used to be unique eateries. Yes, NYC has its Taos & Asia de Cubas, but they were unique concepts at the time, not just restaurants jumping on the Vegas casino style bandwagon. As for my personal experience, I brought tourists who don't have any real taste here. A group of guys in front of us were shooed away because they didn't have reservations. We did, but once inside, there was not a single person there to validate that we did (word to the wise). The bar was cramped with B&T & a boring afterwork crowd in button downs. The drinks were watered down, the music was far too loud, & the staff with clip on mics were a joke. We left (all that velvet rope and no one noticed that we didn't even eat), grabbed a slice & went dancing instead. If you are in this lovely city & like to do what the locals do when you travel (like me), trust me, this area & this restaurant are no longer authentic and no longer where hip, in-the-know locals go (BB was erected a stones throw away from two large hotels built within the past 7 years, if that is a clue to who hangs out here now). Instead, try someplace on the Lower East Side before that turns into Vegas too. Say no to chains (BB is in Paris already & at this rate will probably be opening on the Vegas strip for khaki short lovers everywhere to enjoy).
Pros: Confuse the bouncer by saying you have a res
Cons: Disney-like chain, not unique
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