Buddakan

The ambience here is fantastic - it's in the trendy Meatpacking Distract where there's a lot of rejuvenation going on and the restaurant itself is in a converted ship building, so it's a unique space with high-ceiling space. You enter near the bar and walk down staircases into the main dining area, which is minimalistic and modern. The main table in the middle seats 40 or 50 people, so you join strangers which actually works quite well.

The food (pan-Asian) was excellent - especially the glazed Alaskan black cod with chilli aubergine (eggplant!). Mongolian lamb chops were a little rare for my taste but cooked to perfection according to my dining companions. The side dish of chilli crab and crispy noodles with jumbo lump crab in spicy tamarind sauce was delicious. For desserts, we enjoyed a selection of tasters from the pastry chef, all wonderful.

It was full of beautiful, wealthy people and the atmosphere was great. Couldn't knock the service - they coped well with our large group. Would definitely visit again and recommend to others.
Comment on this reader review

Mike
Sunday, June 29, 2008