Sake was good as well and a nice variety. (We like to be able to taste things and work our way through a menu-not sure why they had us order all at once, so that would be my only managerial complaint!)The drinks were good, strong, fresh. Our table server was nice and attentive as well, and while I considered not giving this place five stars because they made us order all our food (apps/entree) at once, it was too good not to in literally every other aspect. We were able to make a reservation same day (not sure if this or usual, but it might be as they have a deposit policy for reservations, $10/person I believe, that went toward our bill-not a bad idea to weed out those who don't actually want to be there!)When we arrived, our table wasn't quite ready, but there was ample seating to wait in the bar area with an attentive cocktail waitress who brought our drinks out almost immediately after ordering.

My husband and I came for date night a few evenings ago and had a wonderful meal. There are so many better options for Asian fusion. I would not recommend this restaurant, and would advise others to avoid the bar area altogether. The poor service from the bar man completely ruined our experience. I wouldn’t mind if the meal and experience were good value, but it’s overpriced, which is not unusual in New York. Our service was disorganised and unresponsive, similar to the barman experience. Yet the place has definitely fallen on bad days, the atmosphere was lacking and it really seems to be a place for bachelors parties now. The food came and was good and well flavoured.

We tried to not let the barman’s bad manners get in the way. He seemed irritated and uninterested in taking my order. I couldn’t believe it, almost think it was an act, but I kept my composure. Went to get two drinks at the bar, and was confronted by an unusually rude and unresponsive barman. As usual, we were shown the way to the ‘holding area’ by a listless staffer.

Unfortunately, the awful experience started straight away. Do Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss even care at this stage? We went to the restaurant in its heyday and decided to go back for some nostalgia. Tao midtown has had its day and feels badly managed. I have just read many new reviews that are saying the same thing. I would hugely recommend it for anyone spending time in NYC on a trip. It was a bit pricy, I think the bill came to around $140 but I have paid similar and gotten considerably worse food in NYC during my visit and in my opinion it was worth it. The waitress we had was lovely, interacted playfully with my little girls and was the one that suggested the dishes above. The portions are pretty huge also we had to pack away half the orange and kung pow chicken dishes. I sampled each of the above dishes and would have been delighted with either choice.

It was some of the BEST if not the best Chinese food I have ever tasted. My wife got the steak, I got the kungpow chicken and my two daughters shared the orange chicken (I think it was called). There is a bar area where we waited where you could have a few drinks if you wished to do so. We arrived on a Friday afternoon with no reservation and we were seated within five mins. The restaurant itself has a nice ambiance about it and looks cool inside.

Tao nyc reservation