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Dinner & Drinks at TAO | New York City

It was the best birthday *surprise* dinner.  My husband emailed me asking to meet him on 59th and Lexington.
taotao sign


My presumptuous self figured he was probably taking me to Bloomingdales, also on 59th and Lex, so I could pick out my birthday gift.
 

I was psyched!  He was going to be romantic and thoughtful and blah blah blah!
 tao stairs

After a 10 minute downpour and patiently waiting under my umbrella, I received a text message from my husband asking me to come towards 58th and Lex.  Say what?  But, but, but… Bloomies is this way.  tao lounge 2

As I unwillingly walked towards 58th and came face to face with him, he grabbed my hand and led the way east on 58th street.  And then I came face to face with those magical 3 letters – T-A-O!  tao buddha

I exclaimed, “We are going to Tao?”  He responded, “No.  We’re just passing by, we’re going someplace else.”  tao ceiling

I exclaimed back, “No, we’re going to Tao.  I thought you were taking me to Bloomies on a shopping spree, but this works too.”  He sighed!tao bar

Yes, I know I dream big, but even though I never went on a shopping spree to Bloomies, I had the most amazing birthday surprise dinner at Tao, my absolute favorite place in Manhattan.  tao seating


LOCATION
42 E 58th Street
New York, NY 10022
(midtown east)

MENU: TAO menu
COST: $$$
CUISINE: Asian, Dim Sum, Lounge
RECOMMENDED TO: Bar Scene, Couples, Small Groups, Large Groups, Romantic Dining.
AMBIENCE: Trendy/Classy/Romantic/Zen-like

REVIEW 
Between my husband and I, we enjoyed 2 drinks each.  All the drinks were succulent, delicious, and smooth.  I was hit after just one, but I still went for seconds.  You really can’t go wrong with the drinks at Tao.
Peach Cosmopolitan – my favorite, twas’ like drinking juice (left).
Lychee Martini – perfection (second to left).
TAO-hito – a classic mojito, smooth (second to right & right).tao cocktails

As for our appetizer, we ordered the Pan Fried Chicken Gyoza served alongside napa cabbage and soy dipping sauce.  This delicious appetizer came with 4 pieces and the chicken was highly flavorsome.  tao chicken dumplings

At Tao, I don’t mess around and I always order the same dish, the Soy Ginger Glazed Salmon.  The perfectly cooked ginger salmon sits over a bed of udon noodles and spinach.  The noodles are most definitely cooked in soy sauce, butter, and parsley.  Simply Outstanding!tao soy ginger salmon

My husband orders rice or noodles at every Asian restaurant, thus he went for one of Tao’s famous dishes, Pad Thai Noodles with Shrimp.  Although this dish was good, I didn’t think it was TAOmazing.  For one, it was way too sweet, and unfortunately he barely ate a fourth of his dish and we took the rest to go.  tao pad thai

Can’t leave Tao without dessert, especially on a birthday!  We split the Banana Pudding which is literally fried tempura banana sitting over bread pudding topped with fortune cookie crumbs.  If you think Magnolia’s Banana Bread Pudding is a 5, Tao’s is off the chart.  Heavenly!  tao banana bread pudding




VERDICT: 5 / 5
Tao-Logo1Tao is exceptional, and one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan.  The food, drinks, service, and ambiance is all outstanding.  The music here is hot, you’ll particularly hear instrumental lounge beats.  A great place to mingle with drinks after work or later into the night.

Once we got home, I fixed the leftover Pad Thai Noodles and my husband devoured his new noodles.  When I told my friend the next day what happened with the noodles, she said, “wow Nish, you had to fix Tao food?”  I know right!  Okay I’ll stop gloating.  Besides the Pad Thai Noodles being too sweet, everything else here was exceptionally good or as I like to call it TAOmazing, hence I couldn’t give them anything short of a 5.

On my next visit though, I need to expand my horizons and try something new, perhaps the Hong Kong Shrimp, or perhaps the Grilled Red Snapper with bok choy and ginger, or perhaps even the Sea Scallops in a red curry Thai basil sauce.  And maybe I’ll try the Molten Chocolate Cake with Coconut Ice Cream which would make the perfect ending to an extraordinary meal.  Oh I’m in heaven just thinking about it, clearly I’m looking forward to my next Tao meal.
Red heart Thanks again to my husband for an amazing birthday dinner.  I love that you know my taste in food. Red heart

Food: Excellent most dishes are exceptional.
Drinks: Oustanding smooth & delicious.
Décor: Oustanding trendy/classy/romantic/zen-like
Service: Excellent professional/courteous
Value: Good priced accordingly given the décor and service.



TELL ME: Have you been to Tao – New York or Las Vegas?  If so, what’s your favorite thing to order?  Suggestions needed.



Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nisha says

    Haven't been to Tao anywhere, but one thing for sure – in any Thai restaurant in US that I have ordered Pad Thai it has always been on the sweeter and stickier side and I do not understand why! [Authentic Thai food only possible in Thailand :D]

    Reply

  2. Khushboo says

    I haven't been to Tao but my friends in New York have spoken very highly of it! It kinda reminds me of Nobu in London- amazing food, fun crowd and great atmosphere especially over the weekend!

    Reply

  4. Laura says

    Looks like you had an amazing birthday! The party never stops 😉 Glad you got to enjoy Tao since you obviously missed out on your shopping spree.

    Reply

  9. Tara says

    Awesome way to celebrate! I love going to a fancy pants restaurant for my birthday. I've been to Tao in Vegas. Sadly I never got to try the food. We only went to party. I'll have to give it a try next time I'm in that area!

    Reply

  10. Parita says

    I've been to the Tao in Vegas and you are so right about the atmosphere – it's simply amazing! I have yet to eat there though. Sounds like such a delicious and fun dinner surprise! Love it!

    Reply

  11. Ameena says

    Such a nice birthday surprise! Better than a Bloomies trip for sure.

    I love the grilled snapper, it's one of my favorites. I also love the sea bass appetizer. And Ali LOVES the molten lava cake. It's too sweet for me though.

    I agree on the noodles…to sweet and a bit greasy. We never ordered them after the first time.

    Reply

    • honeywhatscooking says

      Thanks Ameena.. yeah, better than Bloomies, I guess. 🙂 I don't generally order snapper cause I've never tried it, need to try someone's before ordering it at Tao. I've tried sea bass before and I liked it, pretty mild. Ooooh.. I'll have to try the Molten Lava next time. I'm glad you agree on the noodles. 🙂

      Reply

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