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    Tao

    3.2 (77 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndDance Clubs, New American

    Tao Photos

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    JC R.

    Tao uptown is a popular scene for both celebrities, locals & tourists. I took my sister here for her birthday lunch and set me back $267 for 3 people. We only ordered 3 items and, well, 3 glasses of red; they were all delicious. Peking duck was absolutely delicious, pricey for $82 half duck though it was abundantly shareable worth if you have at least 4 in your group. Beef with broccoli $54 was very tasty made of NY strip cut with well-seasoned sauce over cut up broccoli stems and stramed florets. Although it was very delicious it was a very small plate to share. Our third shareable was a typical $20 shrimp fried rice was okay. Overall, food was delicious but our waiter was just okay and did minimum service. I had to waive him to bring more water...I don't remember him checking on us but could hear him when he took somewhat a long time to go through the menu with the table behind us. I would have liked the same courtesy but perhaps because I spoke about getting the peking duck at the outset... NY has lots to offer so even if I want to taste other fares on the menu for a next visit, for now i'm content on having checked this off my go to list.

    Crispy rice

    Their food is really good and also do not miss out on their drinks. They have one of the best drinks. Their pad thai with shrimp was insane and also their crispy rice was really really good.

    Bianca B.

    We went to dinner many years away, and this spot is still jumping. Our 10:00pm reservation was pointless, we didn't get sat till 11:15pm so we end up eating dinner close to midnight. The music was great and the GM didn't catch his name but we waited so long that he came over as took our order. He was the saving grace. Gave us complimentary apps, sushi roll, and also comped the birthday fortune cookie that was delicious! So-so experience probably wouldn't come back with so many other great options in NYC.

    Hong kong noodles
    Sarii J.

    Tao is a great place to have good food and enjoy a beautifully designed restaurant. Fair warning though, if this is a first date it might be kind of hard to hear each other. It is also kind of pricy but I've yet to try something on the menu that I don't like. The tune on pringles was very thin and only three pieces so thats like veryyyy overpriced. The tuna avocado roll was delicious. If you like dumplings the pork one is the best I've tried. Of course that's only if you like port. I'd pass on the rock shrimp lettuce dish. That one is very basic and not worth it. They have great variety of drinks so it's also a good place to go have a couple drinks and mingle.

    Pad thai
    Margarita R.

    Came in for restaurant week but I couldn't help it and deviated from the menu for the pork lo mein. My wife stuck to the restaurant menu though. She got the crispy veg rolls, pad thai, and the chocolate zen parfit. The lo mein was deeelish. 10/10 would recommend it. It's plentiful and the flavors are on point. However, the pad thai was a little too sweet for our liking but plentiful as well. The veg rolls and dessert were great. They were both enough to share which was nice. Overall, the experience was nice. The waiter was attentive and we enjoyed the decor. I would give it a second chance.

    Drinks
    KC C.

    So I'll start with this...Tao does live up to its name. The food is good, decor beautiful, and music jammin. To be quite honest, I went back to back weekends because my friends (6 total) all wanted to go again. That being said, if you're not on time for your reservation you should expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour, though the lounge has great drinks to ease you up a bit. I would mainly recommend this for large groups since a 1:1 dinner could get noisy.

    Celebrating with family at Tao Downtown!
    Irene Q.

    We have been coming here for years. Mainly because the drinks are awesome. How ever we went back two weeks ago. We all had two-three cocktail drinks each. They were all watered down. $20 each drink! We even ordered an Uber to and from New Jersey because we thought we couldn't drive. It was a waste of money. Anyone of us could have driven. The drinks were disappointing. The food, however was Outstanding!

    Shinelle T.

    We celebrated one of our girlfriends birthday at TAO. The ambience and the atmosphere was nice. We order drinks, and main course. The drink were the best. The meals and were tasty. Our server was very helpful, and nice, in helping us with selecting choices from the menu, since it was our first time. We were very happy with the service and the food. We'll be back!

    Delicious drink
    Rosalind B.

    The scene is Beautiful, the 5 greens fried rice is good, the sushi is just ok. The rolls are small and they aren't very tasty. If I go back, it would be for the beautiful scenery, the drinks and the music. Mostly dissatisfied

    Fortune cookie Tao style!
    Tulina S.

    Absolutely loved the ambience,food and service. This place is impressive with its huge Buddha statue, beautiful bar area and a two story sitting area. Dress up and make a special evening out. There is a special table right by the Buddha statue which has rose petals and candles under the glass top of the table-perfect for bachelorette parties. The sushi selection is impressive. The star of the evening was Kung pao chicken and vegetarian Fred rice. Save room for dessert as there is a good selection. The most interesting one is the giant fortune cookie which is filled with chocolate mousse on one side and vanilla Mousse on the other....Yum!

    Hong Kong Noodles; sushi; skewers
    Heather W.

    Really delicious, but waited over an hr after having made a res; really great very sporadic service (contradiction?!) - I'd suggest having your entire order ready upon seating!

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    7 years ago

    Way too expensive and not what I was expected. The service was the only thing nice about eating here.

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    4 years ago

    Really cool atmosphere and the food was good. Pork dumplings and sea bass were very good.

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    The Consulate - Midtown

    The Consulate - Midtown

    4.1
    (195 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    We had high hopes! Came for dinner last night for our 8:30 reservation. Grabbed a drink prior at…read morethe bar. The bartender was less than warm and welcoming. Zero personality. As we had our cocktails we discussed going somewhere else as the vibe was flat. But my husband convinced me to stay as it's already 8:30. We head upstairs to our table, only to be greeted by another less enthusiastic server. He never told us his name or offered up any menu highlights. I was excited to have bone marrow and escargot. Both failed epically. The bone marrow was inedible as it was like cold custard. Escargot had zero flavor and a real lack of garlic and good butter. Tasted more like vegetable oil than good butter. We shared the lobster pasta entree. Tasted more like Mexican goulash. No Italian flavors to be found in the sauce. Never once did the nameless waiter stop and inquire about our meal. Just all around a poor experience and a disappointing Friday night. There are far better places that appreciate your patronage. We will not be coming back. Not worth it.

    5.0 / 5.0 If you want to eat croque monsieur, this is the…read moreplace to go! It's the best in Manhattan! The croque monsieur, available only on Tuesdays, is a must-try among the daily lunch specials! It's not just cheese on bread, but buttery bread with rich white sauce, resulting in a very juicy flavor. The lunch set includes an appetizer and a main course for $29.95. The spiral staircase you see as you enter the restaurant gives it a very luxurious atmosphere. However, the restrooms are spacious and there are plenty of seats, so you can even bring a stroller. The service is also attentive and excellent.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Consulate breakfast with scramble eggs instead of poached.
    Consulate breakfast with scramble eggs instead of poached.
    Grilled Octopus

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    Grilled Octopus
    Tanner Smiths

    Tanner Smiths

    4.3
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    The bartender Josiah was great! He was very knowledgeable about the spirits and made great drink…read morerecommendations! The ambiance was just what you want for a speakeasy just with a more inviting entrance. Their menu is also designed like a cute little newspaper. I came alone after seeing a show! Glad I stopped in!

    We had scored an awesome street parking spot and there was no way we were giving that up, so hubs…read moremade sure wherever we ate was within this area. We reserved for a quick bite at Redeye Grill before catching Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway, but as soon as we walked up, some bouncer told us they were closed for a private wedding reception. We were dazed and confused because how was I able to reserve online? But the real plot twist was that it ended up being the best thing that happened. We actually stumbled into Tanner Smith's thinking it'd be the typical, boring bar-food spot. Nope. They first sat us at a hi-top by the door, but that wasn't our vibe, so we grabbed seats at the bar instead. Best decision. Our bartender, Josiah, was absolutely killing it. My cocktail had passion fruit, so of course I asked my usual question: "But is it real passion fruit?" He just nodded in agreement and that told me everything I needed to know. That drink was legit and had nice strength. The food was great too. My fish tacos were packed with fresh fish, the guacamole and salsa were chunky and full of flavor and hubs enjoyed his pastrami sandwich. I have no clue when we'll be back in Midtown, but one thing's for sure- we're sitting with Josiah again.

    Photos
    The setting from the entrance
    The setting from the entrance
    Double Smoked Cheeseburger
    Double Smoked Cheeseburger
    Gluten free bun

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    Gluten free bun
    Monkey Bar

    Monkey Bar

    4.3
    (500 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Monkey Bar became one of my favorite Midtown restaurants because its modern history ran almost…read moreperfectly alongside my years in New York. I arrived in 2008 with very little, and when Graydon Carter revived the restaurant in 2009, I was beginning a rise of my own, first at a large global bank and then, to my astonishment, at one of the city's most powerful investment firms. The suits were daily, the walls were gold, and the pressure was so consuming that even success could feel like a form of attrition. After a few years, I moved to a smaller firm with Southern roots, where the culture was more humane, the work gave me greater autonomy, and I produced some of the strongest results of my career, even within an industry still governed by fear, greed, and status. Inside, the red booths, low lighting, generous spacing, and hand-painted monkey murals made lunch feel ceremonial without becoming stiff. The room was timeless and handsome, with polished service, quality food, and the subtle assurance of a place where you could be proud to bring someone important. I especially remember sitting in one of those booths with 2 mentors, each only a few years older than I was and therefore close enough in vintage to feel relatable, trustworthy, and genuinely within reach. One had entered my life after I left the larger firm and helped me understand an earlier chapter that had also ended abruptly and, at the time, felt deeply unfair; the other had guided me through the smaller firm where I finally found a more sustainable way to work. Over that long lunch, I introduced them, we discussed several promising ideas, and for a moment my career seemed to have reached the point where relationships, experience, and opportunity were finally converging. One of those ideas consumed an extraordinary amount of my time and energy, and I believed it might become the foundation of my next chapter. Instead, the arrangement eventually turned on me, the role I thought I had earned never materialized, and the business itself sputtered. My professional life, financial footing, and pride all collapsed just as COVID was beginning. Then Monkey Bar closed in 2020, which made the ending feel almost unnervingly complete: the restaurant, the city, and the version of myself built around New York finance all went dark at once. For years, I experienced that ending as devastating and unfair; now I can see it as wisdom delivered through an unnecessarily rough process. The restaurant's later revival by a Chicago hospitality group feels fitting because it still honors tradition and ceremony while allowing the old forms to evolve into something healthier, looser, and more current. I have not been back since that lunch, but the idea of returning feels less like reclaiming an old life than dipping a toe into a world I no longer need to inhabit. Even now, I remember Monkey Bar as a great Midtown lunch in a handsome room, surrounded by the residue of old ambitions and the gratitude of having survived them. The cocktails were sharp, the service was polished, and the dining room carried that glamorous old New York energy without feeling trapped by it. I remain deeply fond of the place, partly for what it was and partly for what it witnessed. Some restaurants become attached to a chapter of your life, and Monkey Bar holds mine with unusual grace.

    The truffle monkey bread while a total carb and calorie bomb was delicious and left a lasting…read moreimpression. It featured a crispy, sugar-glazed exterior and a soft, chewy interior, topped with truffle cheese and served with a truffle butter dip; the pairing was superb, and it tasted great both on its own and with the dip. For the main course, I ordered the miso-glazed black cod. The flavor was flawless, and while the portion was small (which was acceptable), the pool of broth accompanying it was completely unnecessary; it was inedibly salty, so what was the point of serving it? After finishing the fish, I was left with a plate full of broth, rendering the plate unusable. Plus, it was overpriced; for this dish, you're better off going to Strip House Strip House remains the undisputed king of this dish in New York. A friend ordered the chicken parmesan. It was just average. Another friend ordered the short rib stroganoff. The flavor was decent, but it was far too rich and heavy. As someone whose palate is split 50/50 between Western and Chinese cuisine, I could manage only five bites at most. If you have a palate that prefers 100% Chinese food, proceed with caution on this dish. Friends ordered sides of mac & cheese and mashed potatoes. These are dishes originally meant for low-income Americans to fill up on cheaply; there's no limit to how good they can be, but also no floor to how bad they can get. Both were on par with the average quality found in upscale restaurants. Honestly, these are two dishes I would never order myself. To sum up: the atmosphere was great. It's also hard to get a reservation; the place was packed when we had lunch at 2 PM. Aside from that monkey bread, I didn't feel like anything else justified the price or offered something you couldn't find elsewhere. I don't quite get the hype. Perhaps I just didn't order the right dishes; maybe next time I'll try the burger and the steak.

    Photos
    Spicy Shrimp scampi
    Spicy Shrimp scampi
    Truffle Monkey Bread (~$35)
    Truffle Monkey Bread (~$35)
    Truffle Monkey Bread

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    Truffle Monkey Bread
    The Modern

    The Modern

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$$

    Dining at The Modern felt like an extension of visiting MoMA itself. Every dish was beautifully…read morepresented, thoughtfully composed, and full of refined flavors. The open, elegant dining room overlooking the sculpture garden created a peaceful atmosphere that made the entire experience feel special. What impressed me most was the exceptional service. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling overly formal. Every detail was handled with care, making the meal feel seamless from beginning to end. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an unforgettable dining experience in New York, The Modern is absolutely worth a visit.

    There's two ways to enter this restaurant. They do in fact have a main door facing 53rd street. If…read moreyou're already inside MoMA, there's a separate door by security. They have to let you in. I didn't have a reservation, but was seated immediately. Win! I really should've asked questions instead of going rogue. My intention was to do the lunch prix fixe menu. The menu on the table was a la carte. This did however work out better for me as I had limited time since I was catching a broadway show. Started with the olives then followed with the hot dogs and closed with the gem lettuce. They did come at different times. This gave me the perfect time to nibble slowly. The olives paired perfectly with the salad. The hot dogs were my favorite. The whole meal was perfectly balanced for me. Just have to mention how amazing the service was. No table had anything waiting to be taken away because there was always someone walking around. At one point, one of the guys clocked I had just finished drinking my water and within seconds he was at my table refilling my glass. I mean c'mon. Will took great care of me. He even suggested the dessert I ended up getting which was the peach cruller. I'm gonna try to come back to do the lunch tasting before I go back home to LA.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Fresh bread
    Fresh bread
    Non alc bev

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    Non alc bev
    Bartley's

    Bartley's

    4.4
    (146 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Bartley Dunnes! The employees here showed us love and a great time! My cousin and I came here after…read morea small concert up the street. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers, I was lead to this great spot for a late dinner and cocktails on a Friday night. The hostess was really friendly and quicky sat us at a two seater near the bar, which we appreciated. The ambiance was light and friendly and they even had a DJ playing all the good jams! I think I danced a bit, (definitely liquid courage). The DJ read the room and created a fun ambiance. The waitress came over a few minutes later and quickly took our drink and meal order. We ordered the Tuna Crispy Rice ( Yum), Guinness Wager Sliders (Nom Nom), Korean Chicken Boas (My Favorite!) and Carnitas Tacos.....I'm embarrassed to admit that we cleaned our plates like a couple of savages. Bartley Dunnes is a great choice to come solo, meet up with friends or come as a group of no more than 4, unless you make a reservation. They have a second floor that I unfortunately didn't get a chance to check out, so I can't write about that. However, I did see people coming and going straight up. I'll be back!

    Stopped by Bartley Dunnes for a few happy hour drinks before heading to Museum of Modern Art for an…read moreevent. They have a great happy hour running from open until 8 PM, including $6 beers and $8 cocktails, which is a great deal for the area. ordered the Bartleys Spritz (Aperol Spritz) and a Tequila Mule. We sat at the bar, which runs about half the length of the space, and there were also plenty of tables throughout. The back section of the bar feels a bit separated from the main entrance area. There are some TVs throughout, and everything inside seemed fairly new and well maintained. It was not very crowded on a Tuesday early evening, so service was quick and the staff was very friendly. We did not order food this time, but everything coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled great. Overall, I would definitely recommend this spot for happy hour drinks in the MoMA/Midtown West area.

    Photos
    Bartley Dunnes Main Bar
    Bartley Dunnes Main Bar
    Brunch Burger
    Brunch Burger
    Frozen Irish Coffee

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    Frozen Irish Coffee

    Tao - danceclubs - Updated July 2026

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