Buddha Bar
(212) 647-7314
25 Little W 12th St
New York,
NY
10014
40.74
-74.0071
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Meatpacking District
What People Are Saying About Buddha Bar
The Editor
Justin Hartung
Citysearch
The Scene
America brought Euro-Disney to the French, and now they've returned the gesture with this enormous Asian-themed restaurant and bar hailing from Paris. Beyond a circular tunnel lined with golden statues lie three massive adjoining rooms, separated by columns of rolled-up wooden mats and decked with red chandeliers, large teak tables and dragons coiled around heating pipes. A towering Buddha beams under a huge skylight. Meatpacking hotties and business-dinner parties are part of the show, especially in the glassed-in smoking room.
The Food
The pan-Asian cuisine fares better than expected for a factory-sized restaurant. Starters of chicken samosas are flaky and addictive, but thinly sliced scallops and sea bream saduchi suffer from overly similar lemon sauces. And while a too-sweet sauce mires braised short ribs and sliced rib-eye, both squeak by as high-end comfort food. Buttery sablefish with crisp greens in a robust miso needs no such qualifications. Desserts, including a curiously soapy iced-tea mousse, make for an anticlimactic ending.
User Reviews
CSMobileUser2
July 01, 2009
This was the restaurant I've been to since I lived in New York
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ks09
June 24, 2009
I have been to Buddha bar in NYC several times. It is a beautiful place, good drinks and food. However, the service is absolutely horrible and the staff is rude and arrogant with hardly any customer service skills. Every time I go there I am disappointed with the same issue bad customer service and rude staff members. Perhaps management should look at ways of improving customer service across the board.
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Julestime
June 22, 2009
About a month ago I put together a dinner for 14 people at Buddha Bar. Peter the venue's maitre d' was the most accommodating maitre'd I would say in NY. Our large and fairly picky party of 14 were seated in the Pagoda area of the restaurant. The number to my party changed every hour starting out at 10 people and ultimately ending with 14. Peter took every one of my frantic phone calls and assured me each time that it will all be perfect. This dinner doubled as a meeting and an introduction. The circular tables we dined at were perfect - at first what seemed like a tight fit and too close for comfort - ended up being exactly what was needed for the team to get aquainted. The menu selection - a prix fix selected by the maitre d' himself was perfect - every dish that came out was a delight - there was a lot of food, lots of choices and everyone left very happy and satisfied. The service was top of the line the attention was masterful even though the restaurant was full and Peter was also hosting a large party for 150 - we never felt neglected nor really ever thought there was anyone else there. I stayed well within my budget and everyone had a fantastic time - it was a win win for all and I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great night out either be it w/ co-workers or friends.
read full reviewThe Details on Buddha Bar
What to Drink:
The Saketini ($15), though a bit too sweet, brims with fresh cucumber flavor. For a splurge, try a bottle of the hard-to-find J pinot noir ($65).
Know Before You Go:
If the dining room is full, see if you can get a seat at the sushi bar, located along the far right wall of the restaurant.
The Extras:
Purchase the restaurant's own mix CDs at the kiosk near the coat check.
Category:
Restaurants, Lawyer Referral Service
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard
Catering Services:
Restaurant Special Features:
Celeb Hangout, Private Rooms, Lunch Spot, Business Dining, Family Style Dining, Date Spot, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene
