Obao has delicious food. If you're in Hells Kitchen and happen to stumble by Obao, it is worth…read morecoming in. Obao is has both Thai and Viet food. It does well with doing the whole "fusion" schtick without losing the essence and flavor of the dishes. Pad Krapoa Moo Krob, the meat on the pork belly was so juicy - the pork skin was crunchy and chewy at the same time, flavors of Thai spice, basil, and bell peppers harmoniously working together to bring a balanced meal. The shrimp basil fried rice was delicious, a great alternative if you're not feeling the crab fried rice. The service at Obao is always prompt and helpful, whether it's questions about the menu or recommendations, anyone is willing to help. Inside Oboa is dimly lit, a moody vibe that is fun and invites playful conversations.

While walking down the street in Hell's Kitchen, Obao caught my family's and my eyes. We looked at…read morethe menu and noticed that there were many gluten-free options, so we decided to try them out. The hostess stated how she had a long reservation list, but was able to get us right in! Once we sat down, our server, Spaghetti, came over to us. He was extremely friendly and took our drink orders right away. I ordered an Espresso Martini, and it was delicious. My father ordered a Vietnamese Iced Coffee, which was extremely tasty. For our entrees, my mother ordered the Pad Thai, and my father and I ordered the Pho Bó. My mom absolutely loved the Pad Thai! The Pho Bó was incredible. The broth was so delectable, and it was honestly the best broth that I have ever had. The portions were also incredible, especially for the price and being in the city! Once we received the check, we noticed that next to the Pho Bó, it stated that it is Michelin Recommended, and we completely understand why! We are looking forward to going back!

Ambiance beautiful sat by Buddha wall, food was amazing had edamame dumplings, tuna tartare spring…read morerolls, Cantonese spring rolls, general tso dumplings, chili rock shrimp, Cantonese steamed sole, tangerine chicken, sweet & crispy jumbo shrimp, black pepper beef, Asian stir fry, garlic fried rice and dessert selections of pastries Family style to accommodate the party size Everyone was very well fed. Food was delish Servers were very pleasant Drinks r great

The quality of the food, particularly the desserts, was relatively good. We did the tasting menu…read morenumber 2 and particularly enjoyed the rock shrimp appetizer and the black pepper beef entree as well as the dessert sampler. The pacing of the meal for the quantity of food received seemed very rushed, and we didn't really have a chance to relax and enjoy any of the courses. However, the quality of the experience was a complete disaster particularly for the price. Clearly, the packed restaurant would disagree, but for the four of us anyway, we would not return. It started with the check in process at what felt like a long hotel front desk with multiple, self important hosts and hostesses overseeing your entrance to the cavernous bar/waiting area. One problem is the noise is so deafening that you can't really hear what they say to you but we check in a few minutes early and waited obediently in the bar area chatting. After about 30 minutes (15 after our reservation time), and watching numerous parties large and small who arrived after us be seated by the hostesses wandering through the dimly lit space who peer quizzically and ask your name, my husband went to ask for an update. (We joked that those vibrating lighted buzzers alerting when your table was ready would have been super helpful, but it was amusing to watch while we waited). It was clear they somehow lost track of us as she had him repeatedly spell our (not unusual) name. Anyway, after that, within 10 minutes after that we were taken downstairs to our seats (but not before standing awkwardly in the large dining area near packed tables waiting while our table was cleaned). Server with a heavy accent was kind and mostly helpful so none of this is on him. The busser who managed to spill half a pitcher of cold water on my husband's back, soaking his shirt and jacket and barely apologizing, is a whole other story. We managed to get a glass of his mediocre Cabernet comped for the experience. If I sound annoyed, I guess I still am. I had high hopes for a fun and tasty experience in a cool part of the city and it just wasn't.

Had a great meal at THEP Thai on the Upper East Side. The Tom Yum Shrimp Fried Rice was…read moredelicious--bold, spicy, tangy flavors with plump shrimp. The Khao Na Ped was also excellent, with tender duck. The service was excellent--friendly and attentive staff made us feel welcome, especially with the table . Modern, cozy vibe too. Highly recommend! Will definitely be back when I travel to New York again.

Tasty casual Thai eats…read more Went for a weekend lunch - ended up ordering some cashew chicken. Was good! Would def come back.

Stopped by on a Friday night for dinner with my best friend. The place itself is gorgeous, moody,…read moreand very architecturally pleasing. To start, we had the lychee martinis. It's not your typical lychee martini. It has Aperol and pineapple, which gives it a great flavor. My only note is that I wish it were a bit stronger. For appetizers we had the yellowtail, which is a must get. It was delicious. We also had the lobster spring rolls, another great dish, and the crispy wontons, which were good but not my favorite compared to everything else. For our entrée we got the beef tenderloin, another must get. It was amazing, super tender, and melts in your mouth. We had it with the fried rice, which was solid. For dessert we had the ice cream sandwich, which was different in the best way and extremely delicious. It wasn't too sweet and the cone "buns" were perfection. Overall, this place is gorgeous and the food matches. I would definitely return. The service was also great, the perfect balance of letting you do your own thing and truly enjoy your evening while still checking in. It is pricey. We each paid $184 including tip, but it's definitely worth it for a special occasion or to spoil yourself a bit.

Holiday season of 2024 tried to eat here but was closed or mostly booked for private party…read more Finally just came on random Tuesday and restaurant was packed and bar was packed soon after we arrived but got two seats at the bar before that happened as once again upstairs had private event. Best way to describe this is luxe Asian or bougie Chinese. If you are fan of top Chef it would be called soigné. We had three of the hot apps, Foie gras, lobster shumai with caviar and morel mushroom with spinach crystal dumplings. After that we're deciding between the quail and beef tenderloin wok dishes. Since the quail was spicy went with tenderloin which came with small serving of rice. All the food was great. I felt the crystal dumpling needed a kicked and they brought Out there house soy and hot vinegar sauce. For drinks I tried there mix of a classic martini with an old fashioned and after discussions with there somm who nicely recommended a more affordable bottle that would meet our needs got the Chardonnay by glass as a bottle. Enjoyed the meal though likely spent 5 times what usually spend on Chinese place mainly due to cost of alcohol. Place is well designed with a look similar to Butter downtown with the arched ceiling mixed with with the sound dampening feature of similar design of bar Boulod. Will return to try the quail and the lobster spring rolls and if they keep to this standard will increase rating to 5.

The ambiance was wonderful for a date night. The interior design was very cool, organized, and…read moreinviting. From the appetizers to the main course and the dessert, everything was delicious!

One of my favorite places I've eaten at all year!! Truly a gem, I can't wait to come back! The…read moreservice was great from beginning to end and nothing short of attentive. The restaurant itself has a nice intimate vibe so great for date nights or for smaller group settings. We sat at the bar and our bartender was Arti, who was super kind and had great banter. Regarding the food, it was phenomenal! So many good choices to choose from but some of my favorites include: green curry escargot, branzino, oysters, and Chinese broccoli. I also recommend the chocolate soufflé, as someone who doesn't enjoy chocolate desserts, this was amazing and reminded me of a brownie. I have a shortlist of restaurants that I really enjoy and this is definitely on it.

Fun spot. Tea based cocktail bar. Feels like a small little cave with innovative cocktails that are…read morewell made and blended. Surprisingly food was very delicious as well. Loved the pasta and chef special (egg and rice and beef). Cod was a bit too much chili for me but no complaints. Dessert is tiny - tiramisu is good, but not the best. Matcha cheesecake solid. Overall, really delicious venue with a fun cave vibe with great cocktails and surprisingly good food.

This bar is a bit hidden, but such cool vibes. Once inside, it feels like you're in an actual cave…read morewith mirrors throughout. It's very sleek and sophisticated --perfect for a date night. The husband and I came for my birthday. They specialize in tea-infused cocktails with signature, savory, and sweet drinks. All the drinks were so unique and intriguing with some interesting ingredients. We started off with the Clock Out ($20) and Cuke Flower ($18). These were their most popular choices and I really enjoyed clock out, but found the cuke to be too sour for my liking. Then we got the Popcorn ($20) and Shrimp Elixir ($20). The popcorn was essentially an espresso martini while the shrimp was a fun, savory option. I liked their correlating garnishes on the cocktails as well. When we saw the other tables have food, we decided to get a small appetizer even though we weren't hungry. We ordered the Fried Chicken Wings ($16) before the kitchen closed. These were nice and crispy, but quite pricey for 5 pieces. Overall, lovely spot with a unique vibe.

Wonderland is a hidden gem in the east village, although it really shouldn't be. Often overshadowed…read moreby noisier bar choices in the area, Wonderland offers a more refined alternative The space is intimate without feeling cramped, and there's a clear point of view behind everything, from the way the menu is constructed to how the drinks are presented. This sets it apart in a neighborhood that often leans the other way. What stands out most is the creativity behind the cocktails. There's a sense of play without it becoming gimmicky yet flavor still leads. The custom drinks, in particular, are a thoughtful touch and make the experience feel tailored rather than transactional. It's also one of the few spots in the area that genuinely works for conversation. Whether it's a date or catching up with a friend, you're not competing with the room. Given the location, I think it makes it a great spot for happy hours, late evening hangs or weekends out too. Wonderland isn't trying to be everything to everyone, It knows what it is: a considered, slightly understated cocktail bar that rewards you for slowing down and paying attention.

definitely more of a chill intimate bar. a very beautiful bar with whimsical decor, but they took…read moreso long to bring out each drink that the first few drinks were finished before the second half of the drinks came. each drink came one by one which was strange the "wonderland series" cocktails are the showy ones presentation wise and seem high effort to prepare. I really enjoyed my drink (toasted coconut reconstruction, $26) because it was pretty mild in alcohol and basically came with a dessert

This place is a delight! Thank goodness we had a reservation--we saw a few folks turned away…read more(Saturday night). Our server was friendly and patient. The menu is medium-sized, which I appreciate. It's big enough so that you have choices, but not so big that you feel overwhelmed. We ordered the snow pea shoots, salt and pepper chicken and biscuits, and a special--sweet and sour pork. Everything was delicious--my favorite was the chicken and biscuits. The biscuits were incredibly soft, and I liked that the chicken was flavorful, but not too salty.

This place has been on my list since they opened but I never had the chance to stop by until…read morerecently. They have a very unique take on traditional chinese dishes and the decor is really an ode to that as well. The staff was very friendly and attentative. For food we got the: -Jellyfish Tiger Salad - very interesting dish, very refreshing with the jelly fish -Pork and Chive Potstickers - this was really yummy. Highly recommend getting this dish. The house made chilli cripsy really adds the kick to it. -Oyster Mushroom Rice Rolls: this was also delicious - highly recommend this. The flavors were so good -Salt & Pepper chicken with scallion biscuts: This was just alright; I felt like the chicken was a bit on the dry side and so were the biscuts. I would pass on this. Otherwise - solid dinner place, highly recommend checking out if you are in the area!

Ambiance (5/5): The establishment is extremely ornate and decorated in theme from top to bottom. I…read morelove how much detail and elegance they put to each room (not to mention the 16-foot buddha statue in the main dining room!) Be aware that the lighting is dim and the background noise is loud! The front bar room is so loud that you have to shout with your guest. Our party of 6 was seated in a tiny booth which we had to ask for an additional chair to accommodate us. Service (5/5): We were able to get someone's attention to order and we were refilled on water often. The food was organized by appetizers and entrees that arrive all at the same time. The wait between ordering and food felt reasonable to short. The waiter also specified that certain dishes quantity (i.e. potstickers) could be increased to accommodate our party size for an extra cost. Food (5/5): TLDR; every dish was honestly SO good; I was surprised and will rank the items by 'must get' to skippable: Short Rib Bao Bun (3 pc): The short rib was so tender and flavorful. The bao bun was soft. The sauce was thick and worked well with the short rib. Pork Potstickers (5 pc): I preferred this over the lobster and scallion dumplings. The exterior skin is pan-fried with a nice glaze, hint of truffle. The bite was umami from the creaminess of the Parmigiano Reggiano. Chicken Satay (3 pc): The 3 pieces of chicken were relatively large, very tender, seasoned well. They were well complemented with the peanut sauce that is worth keeping to dip into other things! Don't sleep on the side of spicy cucumber salad, which was so well balanced in tartness and flavor. Pad Thai: This is one of the best Pad Thai I've ever had! The flavors are bursting, with a balance of sweetness, nuttiness from the peanuts, and tartness from a squeeze of lime. Peking Duck for 2: This dish is definitely more than enough for our party of 6 and appeared to be a half serving of the whole duck. The duck pieces are pre-cut for us to self-assemble into the wraps (not the usual bao bun but like thin tortilla wraps). I think I counted 8 wraps? Triple Pork Fried Rice: The rice has a lot of depth and generous chunks of pork. The rice is thicker than regular jasmine with a more chew which I liked. Dragon Tail Spare Ribs: Although this has a nice flavor, handling with your fingers makes them super sticky for your whole dining experience. The restaurant should give out wet towelettes if this dish is ordered!! Meat was tender and easy to chomp off the bone. Tuna Tartare: A small quarter-sized tartare dollop is served atop a small cube bread. The fish was fresh, presentation was beautiful. Was hoping for more tartare for the price point but it was very good. Overall, the dish was not filling so would skip if the party is hungry. Lobster and Scallop Dumplings: Great flavor with reasonable chunks of meat inside. Just preferred the potstickers a lot more! Bok Choy: Pieces were chopped in half and cooked with a nice crunch. Topped with something that gave it more texture. The garlicy taste was forward (in a good way). Rainbow Roll: While it was fresh and the individual pieces were large in portion, this felt like any other sushi roll. Skip this! Side of White Rice is $9?! That's theft and is skippable The amount of food ordered was probably a little more than what we needed but glad we ordered as many as we did.

This restaurant has such a beautiful atmosphere. I was truly amazed by the giant Buddha altar and…read morefelt very peaceful paying my respects. I especially loved how it was placed elevated above the floor -- it gave such a calming and respectful feeling. Even with the hustle and bustle, the place still felt relaxing and serene. As for the food, it was decent. We ordered a few different chicken dishes since we don't eat pork or fish, so our options were a bit limited. One thing that did make me feel uncomfortable was the hallway near the downstairs bathroom where a picture of a Buddhist monk in saffron robes was displayed. Personally, I felt it was not the most respectful placement. Overall, I still enjoyed the experience and would love to come back again to see the beautiful giant Buddha.

This restaurant offers great Thai food, and a very flavorful and "saucy" Pad Thai is a highlight…read more The dishes are served on disposable plates, making the meal informal, but the quality of the meals is very good and always enjoyable.

I've seen the LoveMama food truck in Williamsburg many years ago but never got around to trying it…read more I knew about the restaurant but also have yet to try it until yesterday. They have a great lunch special for $13.99 entree & drink. Very nice deal. I ordered the Nasi Lemak with chicken and the calamansi honey jasmine drink. As a Malaysian, I can confirm that the Nasi Lemak was good. I would just recommend that they give the rice and curry a few minutes to cool down before serving. This dish should never be served piping hot. This is a lukewarm or room temperature dish. I would also recommend peeling the cucumber completely which is the authentic way. The peel had a bitterness which wasn't pleasant. The calamansi drink didn't have any jasmine flavor and needed more calamansi, but still refreshing. I ordered a mango sticky rice to go. It was just ok. Overall, I'd come back to try more things. Service was friendly. Fyi there's a fee for credit card payments.