On a recent visit to uptown New York, we decided to dine at Tao, which is a sizable restaurant with remarkable interiors. The main focal point of the restaurant is certainly the 16-foot Buddha that appears to float above a virtual reflecting pool, which is home to several Japanese Carp. It is quite the sight to behold. With a stunning mix of industrial and Asian chic, the rest of the interiors certainly do not disappoint, making this pan-Asian restaurant one of the most striking we have been to anywhere in the world.
When we arrived, we spent a couple of moments in awe of our surrounding environment, before opting to enjoy a drink at the bar ahead of our meal. I went for a classic Hendricks gin and tonic, which did not disappoint, whilst my partner chose the slightly more adventurous option, being Tao's Sun Tzu cocktail. This cocktail saw a mix of Bulleit Rye whiskey, Carpano Antica vermouth and Campari. It was a wonderful concoction that was expertly prepared and beautifully presented.
Following our drinks, we took a seat at our table where we made our menu choices. Whilst browsing, we decided to share the hot edamame from the small plates menu, which were very flavoursome and wonderfully punchy. For my starter, I decided upon the satay of Chilean sea bass served with a miso glaze. The combination of flavours in the dish was outstanding, and somehow the brilliantly fresh flavour of the sea bass managed to shine through. I also ordered a miso soup with tofu and mahogany clams, which I must say is not to be missed. My partner went for the crispy spicy tuna roll with avocado and soy paper, and as expected, it was simply superb.
"The main focal point of the restaurant is certainly the 16-foot Buddha that appears to float above a virtual reflecting pool, which is home to several Japanese Carp."
For our main courses, we both decided to share a selection of dishes including the roasted Thai Buddah Chicken, the 8 Greens Fried Riced with Brown Rice, Seasonal Vegetables and Egg White; and finally, the Pad Thai Noodles with Shrimp. All the food was simply beautiful and the flavours were outstanding. We were particularly impressed by the chicken dish, but the Pad Thai was also exceptionally good.
We also couldn't resist sampling a couple more cocktails before we left, to the tune of a Lotus Blossom, which saw a mix of Grey Goose vodka, pineapple, coconut, citrus, and bitters; and I went for the Lucky Cat, which saw a mix of Ketel One Botanicals cucumber mint vodka, fresh lime, and Red Bull tropical. These cocktails were both refreshing and punchy and I must say were a real highlight for us. They more than made up for skipping dessert.
Tao is an exceptional example of a great pan-Asian restaurant, and we were thrilled to get the opportunity to dine there during our trip to New York. With the stunning setting, the wonderful service and the exceptional food and drink offering, there isn't anything to not love about this restaurant. Tao comes highly recommended by us as a great dining option in New York, and we simply cannot wait to return.
The Bill: £68 per head
