by alexandra f. on Ok, I REALLY liked Tao. But a few things: 1) This looks just like Budda Bar in Washington D.C. 16 foot Buddas just aren't that original. 2) You're trying to be Buddakan for Midtown. Admitting is the first step, just say it. It's cool, I would try too. 3) Good job on not using the word Budda in your name. BF and I had 6 year anniversary here Sunday night (cue the 'awws"). My ratings on our order: -Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and ponzu sauce 5++ -Sashimi of octopus (2), kobe beef (5++++) and charred tuna (5) -Lobster and crab spring rolls (3) -Avocado tempura (4) -Kobe beef tartare (2) Desserts (yes, we got 3. a desert for every 2 years, I dunno...whatever) -Banana pudding with fortune cookie crust (5++++++++++++++) -Molten chocolate cake (can't comment, was too full. ask boyfriend.) -Fuji apple blossoms (5++++++) Get the sashimi, especially if you like it spicy. Period. Lobster and crab spring rolls were most expensive but no WOW factor. 3 SLICES (1/2 of an avocado) tempura fried for $5. Come on, guy. The Kobe beef tartare is NOT a tartare and as you will see from my reviews, a good tartare is dear to me. This "tartare" was tastelessly mashed into some tempura fried riceball. WTF. Just, WTF. Tao-tini and lychee martini are a must to wash it down. Service was fantastic and we were seated at a very cozy shared table with one couple at the very end. Just work on the menu, will ya?
by Will A. on I've been to The Estate a few times, it's a pretty nice place, and it's a cozy little club. Their dance floor is small and it doesn't take many people to make it seem pretty full. Estate is a great place to dance, being so small it seems like people are usually all moving together. They always have photographers there and if you catch their eye you can wind up on The Estate facebook page the next morning witch is kinda cool. The drinks are pretty expensive for what you get and cover can be a lot too, but the second time I went I got in free on some guestlist. There are usually two dancers in lingerie dancing, they are nice to watch but they are up by the DJ booth in the balcony above the dance floor, it would be a lot better if they put them on the dance floor on columns or something. Drinks are 10$ -- pretty standard for a club, they're not really strong but not terrible either. Clientele is young. Mostly college students / graduate kids but there are always lots of pretty girls to dance with. Pros: The inside has nice decor, tile dance floor is original, balcony is good up above to take a rest, staff is always respectful, interesting layout, small size, good access to the DJ booth (once I walked up and stood right next to the DJ for 30 minutes and watched him play and no one gave me a problem.) some times at the end of the night they have confetti and stuff falling from the ceiling (and I think either a smoke machine or people were lighting up on the dance floor and the bouncers were ok with it but I didn't smell cigarettes) witch is pretty nice in the euphoria of dancing. Cons: whenever I go there I usually hurt my ears pretty bad and they ring for a few days so now I bring earplugs with me when going out. They recently put in a light-up raised 'catwalk' in the middle of the dance floor, which seemed to me pretty obtrusive and annoying but its not there every night, it makes the place a little more trashy. Often there is a long line, so if you're on glist and want the reduced admission get there early. After going here a few times the place looses a little bit of its luster, but the first time I went was great. Over all the estate is pretty nice but its not a place I would want to go to every weekend.
