Tao
42 E 58th St
New York, NY 10022
Recent years there are slew high end Asian fusion restaurants in NY opened (and closed) but I still like this original one better. The big Buddha is unmatched so far. The cocktail girls are prettier. The food is rather authentic (not as delicious and unique as Buddakan). The Buddha chicken is terribly dry tho. The noise level is high. A fun night out yes. A heart to heart talk probably not.
When they first opened in late 1990s we went in, attracted by their door, not knowing what it was -:). One of friends that night later said, her husband was asked to invest as the 4th partner but he declined, thinking it’s too risky. During one of the dinners there with her, the managing partner was there and treated us desserts.
Reportedly, it was first, a 19th century stable for the Vanderbilt family and then a movie theater. The focal point of the restaurant is the 16′ Buddha in the back, on a pool staffed with Japanese carp. It has 300 seats. The
