Forbidden City

The Scene – This sleek Asian lounge entices with soft lighting, sea-blue walls and niches filled with art and artifacts. An oblong bar dominates the lounge in front, where the welcoming owners keep the sake and liquor flowing. A laughing Buddha separates the bar-lounge from the comfortable, matter-of-fact dining area in back. – – The Food – The kitchen here whips up ample, greaseless portions of Asian tapas and dim sum for a mixed crowd. Preparations are minimalist and delicately flavored. Salt-dusted Atlantic salmon comes infused with lemongrass and ginger; aromatic…

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User Reviews (38)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“romantic settings.” “It has nice atmosphere, the bartender was friendly.” “the decor is warm yet sleek.” “Looking for a good date place or spot to have weekend fun.” “It's a pretty nice and cozy place to chill with friends.” “The bartenders and the managers are really nice and the decor is very comfy and laid-back, all the while being trendy.” “The drinks are inexpensive, a trendy crowd frequents the place and the atmosphere is a laidback cool.” “The employees were friendly and fun.” “love this place-- it's a great bar-- fun, accomodating, and open till 4am!” “great mixed crowd and atmosphere” “Great food, fun atmosphere” “great atmosphere.”
drinks	95.64999580383301% positive	“Lychee martini was good also if you're into sweet cocktails.” “Very nice waitreses(one with highlights, and the taller one too), when we had a lil problem with our order , they brought out these shots of apple tequila, without question to make up for the problem ,plus eventually they took the drinks of the tab, great” “not so much for the food or the drinks; but the regular sunday night band is fantastic.” “The food was great, the beer was cold, and the service was prompt.” “the drinks are good, but the fact it's so crowded you can't really enjoy it.” “They had my faivorite beer which gets me soooooooooo drunk :ASAHI, huge bottles” “the staff of fc are all super friendly, giving the bar a "cheers" like feeling.” “Food & drinks here are excellent as well as friendly service.” “love the drinks, esp lychee martini, and the food is also VERY good.” “The drinks are amazing, the lychee martini, green tea, and mango are awesome.” “Cost - great dinner and many drinks, $60 pp” “The food is very tasty and a perfect compliment to the excellent cocktails that are unique to Forbidden City.” “the place is good for a late night snack and with the bar being 'U' shaped, it's perfect to be checking out the good looking crowd and waitstaff, including the kind and cute owners.” “yummy food and cocktails” “Their cocktails were unique too-I tried their green tea martini which tasted interesting.” “They have great beers on tap along with an extensive cocktail list.” “bar/rest. hip/hop; drinks w/kung foo movie names; really cool.” “If you're not into those, they also have a full bar of "regular" liquors and some fantastic beers.” “Great music, great food, great cocktails, and great service.” “This almost hidden spot has asian fusion food and my girl loved the cocktails.” “The drinks are inexpensive, a trendy crowd frequents the place and the atmosphere is a laidback cool.” “great place to have a drink or an app or pre-game before going out.” “love this place-- it's a great bar-- fun, accomodating, and open till 4am!”
food quality	93.33000183105469% positive	“liked their pork kakuni, spicy tuna hakozushi, jelly fish, ganmodoki, duck with scallions, etc.” “The food is great although it's more appropriate for snacking more than anything else.” “We ate like pigs because the food was so good we couldn't stop ordering (smallish portions, but you just get to try more food, so it works out).” “I've had some downright bad service and I've had some good, but the food is what I come for at 2:30 in the morning.” “Not only is the scenery asthetically pleasing but the food is uncompromised even at 3am!” “great, great lychee martinis and the tapas style food is very good.” “oh yeah, and the food was awesome too.” “Great music, great food, great cocktails, and great service.” “The food is amazing.” “The food is amazing, especially the king crab croquettes!” “The food is decent but small portions so expect to order a lot.” “yummy food and cocktails” “And its the perfect food for a bday party that was going to continue all night since they have mostly light dishes and a great selection of dumplings & apps.” “The food is all good.” “This almost hidden spot has asian fusion food and my girl loved the cocktails.” “the calamari was tasty, not too greasy.” “STRONGLY recommend to try something other than typical menu items and go for the short ribs over rice, black cod, sea bass, or duck (there are two dishes that are great).” “The seaweed salad was good too.” “The food was great, the beer was cold, and the service was prompt.” “They were still serving us amazing food @4am.” “The food is very tasty and a perfect compliment to the excellent cocktails that are unique to Forbidden City.” “lychee martini's are pretty yummy and so is the unfiltered saki give it a try if you havent already.” “forbidden is perfect, no cover, excellent food, good looking crowd, friendly owners, great music, and one my favorite places in the city.” “From the traditional samurai garb on display to the authentic untainted cuisine, this place is one of my favorite true new yorker spots.” “surprisingly the food was delish!” “love the drinks, esp lychee martini, and the food is also VERY good.” “great food and great people” “ribeye steak was good but i'm not much of a meat eater.” “not so much for the food or the drinks; but the regular sunday night band is fantastic.” “Great food, fun atmosphere”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“They have an extensive sake menu as well and if you ask they will even let you taste it!” “And its the perfect food for a bday party that was going to continue all night since they have mostly light dishes and a great selection of dumplings & apps.” “STRONGLY recommend to try something other than typical menu items and go for the short ribs over rice, black cod, sea bass, or duck (there are two dishes that are great).” “The menu is always changing, depending on season, with the manager and staff always on the lookout for good, better, and best brands of sake.” “They have great beers on tap along with an extensive cocktail list.” “recommend the dumplings and the sake menu.” “love the diverse crowd.”
overall	100.0% positive	“This is a great place to hang out with your friends.” “It's a pretty nice and cozy place to chill with friends.” “great place to have a drink or an app or pre-game before going out.” “Looking for a good date place or spot to have weekend fun.”
return potential	0.0% positive	“forget the lame cover-charging lounges, i would definately come back here again!”
service	89.13000106811523% positive	“I've become a fixture at this place b/c the owners and staff are so friendly and always having a good time.” “The menu is always changing, depending on season, with the manager and staff always on the lookout for good, better, and best brands of sake.” “The service is impeccable.” “The employees were friendly and fun.” “Before we got our entrees, we asked the waitstaff if we could get seated in the dining area, since the prospects of having dinner with a bunch of people doing shots behind you isn't very pleasant.” “and v friendly staff.” “Food & drinks here are excellent as well as friendly service.” “does get very crowded on the wknds but everyone is nice, friendly and usually good looking Also tho there is no dance floor, they play really good music!” “great food and great people” “I've had some downright bad service and I've had some good, but the food is what I come for at 2:30 in the morning.” “The food was great, the beer was cold, and the service was prompt.” “forbidden is perfect, no cover, excellent food, good looking crowd, friendly owners, great music, and one my favorite places in the city.” “Very nice waitreses(one with highlights, and the taller one too), when we had a lil problem with our order , they brought out these shots of apple tequila, without question to make up for the problem ,plus eventually they took the drinks of the tab, great” “friendly patrons and staff- STAN's the MAN.” “the staff of fc are all super friendly, giving the bar a "cheers" like feeling.” “The bartenders and the managers are really nice and the decor is very comfy and laid-back, all the while being trendy.” “It has nice atmosphere, the bartender was friendly.” “Great music, great food, great cocktails, and great service.” “This place is truly one of the last true spots that has its own unique flavor that people obviously love to taste.” “The staff are good looking, so is the mixed crowd.” “The Lychee Martini was "yum-yum" good, and the bartender was sooo nice and sweet.” “Prices are reasonable and service is quick.” “great staff”
value	83.33000183105469% positive	“They have it by my house in these huge cans too ,so i was extra happy).” “We ate like pigs because the food was so good we couldn't stop ordering (smallish portions, but you just get to try more food, so it works out).” “As most of you are aware, birthday dinners get expensive.” “The food is decent but small portions so expect to order a lot.” “The drinks are inexpensive, a trendy crowd frequents the place and the atmosphere is a laidback cool.” “They had my faivorite beer which gets me soooooooooo drunk :ASAHI, huge bottles”
wait time	100.0% positive	“Prices are reasonable and service is quick.”

11/15/10

Fat Buddha isn't Forbidden City - Get it right CitySearch!!!

by djseoulnyc

After repeated attempts to let CitySearch know that this is a NEW venue under NEW management with NEW menu since mid August, they still haven't made the change.

Feel free to add a review of the new and improved space. Check Yelp or Menu Pages to see the updated information.

Thanks!

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01/31/10

Neighbordhood Gem

by Athena Chang , Citysearch Contributor

Honestly after knowing the bouncer here got shot right outside, I was a little deterred to come back here. However, that didn't seem to stop the crowd. I stepped in only to find a whole room packed with customers.

The DJ was playing 80s, 90s and current hip & hop and pop music. This is more a lounge than a dance club. Nobody was dancing, really. People were just drinking, chatting, and some of them eating. (They serve Asian cuisine)

This is a good venue for birthday parties and they have great Happy Hour daily. I just hope no more gunshots incident!

Pros: Good music, fun crowd

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05/22/08

Great food, fun atmosphere

by desieclipse

I've been to this place several times in the evening & once for a concert by a local band "Happy Fun Smile". I love coming here, but I especially loved it when HFS played because it was Japanese eclectic pop fusion & the energy was great. Food & drinks here are excellent as well as friendly service. It's a little tough to get their attention sometimes when you are at the bar because it's an immense bar space (considering the place is tiny). I definitely recommend sitting at the bar, as the tables are in the back and there's more energy up front. A great place to have a drink or an app or pre-game before going out. I recommend the dumplings and the sake menu.

Pros: upscale bar food, reasonably priced, neighborhood
Cons: small space, only 2 bartenders for immense oval bar

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01/07/08

Great Birthday Spot!

by holleratanerd

I had my 30th Bday party here in Dec. It was between Forbidden City and another asian influenced restaurant/lounge venue. The reason I chose FC, and so glad I did, was for 2 reasons:

1. Cost - great dinner and many drinks, $60 pp

2. Manager - Ron

As most of you are aware, birthday dinners get expensive. Not just the dinner, but primarily the drinking. And at most of these venues with fun cocktails the cocktails are $10 a pop or more... FC not withstanding... BUT... Ron (night mgr) worked with me on a HAPPY HOUR RATE on the cocktails for a few hours - $7 Stoli cocktails rather than $10!!! He was very accomodating and just reassured me that we would have a great time. And we absolutely did!

Plus the food was inexpensive and delish. And its the perfect food for a bday party that was going to continue all night since they have mostly light dishes and a great selection of dumplings & apps. MUST GET THE CALAMARI!

The venue itself is more restaurant/bar then restaurant/lounge with a casual fun asian decor and bar nightlife. They allowed us to have fun without being all pretenious and stuffy like I knew the other more upscale venue would be.

So that is why I'm SOOO GLAD we went with FC and I had an GREAT BDAY!

Pros: Price and Friendly Staff
Cons: Only 2 bathrooms and weekends are busy

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11/17/07

great staff

by iris_sky

first time coming there ,looked it up on the net ,great reviues ,wanted to try it..My friend loved the music as soon as we got in,had reservation so were seated promtly. I guess they are short on staff , it took a lil while for the food to come but it was delicious( the smoked duck,friend had a chicken salad ,!!!! i had the short ribs (liked it a lot ), just as someone mentioned ,portions are small but yummy).They had my faivorite beer which gets me soooooooooo drunk :ASAHI, huge bottles .They have it by my house in these huge cans too ,so i was extra happy). Very nice waitreses(one with highlights, and the taller one too), when we had a lil problem with our order , they brought out these shots of apple tequila, without question to make up for the problem ,plus eventually they took the drinks of the tab, great people that really know how to run a business( i want to say thank you guys!). Music was really good , a bit loud and thats exactly how i like it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. atmosphere rocks ,small portions but goes well with liquoer .More of a bar than a restaurant and if you look at it like that be prepared to drink ~! good times.

Forbidden City

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What People Are Saying About Forbidden City

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Contributor

11/15/10

Fat Buddha isn't Forbidden City - Get it right CitySearch!!!

by djseoulnyc

01/31/10

Neighbordhood Gem

by Athena Chang , Citysearch Contributor

05/22/08

Great food, fun atmosphere

by desieclipse

01/07/08

Great Birthday Spot!

by holleratanerd

11/17/07

great staff

by iris_sky

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