by Anderson Porrazzo on Sexy Down Tempo Lounge Chic Buddha Bar, now known as Ajna Bar due to the law suit with the Buddha Bar in Paris hasn't changed much since the renovation. They took out the large golden Buddha that used to tower in the main dining room and built a semi private VIP dining area, elevated a mere three steps, enough to "wonder" who might be in there. This place is too large to be "exclusive", but that can also be good thing because you can always get a last minute reservation especially for a large group party. This places oozes sexy. The DJ plays down tempo music a decibel too loud, so you feel like you're dining in a lounge with the back drop of tracks like, "Teardrop" from Massive Attack....all the things that you you'll groove and fall asleep to you under candle light. For those of you who enjoy the occasional cigarette with your drink, or cigar, there is a glass smoking section near the front the entrance filled with men still in their suits after work. People usually go to Buddha Bar for the ambiance, but the food was surprisingly better than I expected. Extensive menu from Sushi, A5 (which isn't their specialty so I didn't order it), to Whole Maine Lobster in Garlic Sauce. I thought the staff was well trained and knowledgeable about the menus. This is sexy place for a date (if you go early, the music gets louder after 9:30 pm), out-of-towners, and groups. Just a little tip: in order to bypass the attitude from the door guy, make sure you make a reservation. A bad door guy experience can ruin your entire impression of a lovely place.
by Brooks Vinke on I am torn because I want to give this place 3 stars... but based on my experience here this past Friday for Happy Hour, I simply can not. I have no problems with the doorman, or the semi-chic interior. The bar service was relatively standard... not great, not bad. But unfortunately... one little thing came up short. Well scratch that, one major thing... THEY LOST MY DEBIT CARD! Yes, I started a tab with them, and they lost my debit card. After ordering my third drink for the evening, I asked to close my tab. A few moments later the bartender returned and asked for my name again, and then proceeded to fan out a fist of credit cards asking me if I saw my own, which I didn't. He looked a few moments more before enlisting the help of another female bartender, who I later learned was the owner/operator, and was also the person with whom I ordered my second drink from. Now, I need to give credit where credit is due. The owner did clear my tab and provided me with three drink coupons for the rest of the evening, which I did use. But alas, at the end of the night they were still unable to locate my debit card. They apologized for the inconvenience and I was asked to call back later that evening or the next day to see if they had found it. I left them my business card and called it a night. So Saturday, after calling my bank to cancel the card, I called Eve and left a message with the owner. After not hearing anything back, I called back early on Saturday evening and spoke with the owner. She told me again that they were unable to locate the lost card, apologized in a rather cold and unconcerned manner, and rushed to get me off the phone. I was left asking myself "does this lady even understand the inconvenience that this incident is putting me through?" I think not... and if she did, she certainly didn't acknowledge it. #1- This card went to my primary checking account. Happening on a Friday evening, this has left me without any access to my cash until I am able to get to a branch office the next week, and no easy access via an ATM for 7-10 days until my replacement card arrives. #2- More importantly, being the card linked to my primary checking account, I had multiple monthly bills and accounts linked to this debit card number. As a result I will now have to contact all of them to inform them of my new debit card number when my replacement card arrives. A time consuming and not fun task. So thanks Eve. Thanks for the good time. And then for losing my card in the process.
by Ben K. on I really enjoyed my time at dbar last night. I went for dinner with two friends, and everything that we had was stunningly good. The cod was cooked perfectly, the drinks were made well, and my appetizer--the anchovies with white gazpacho--was exactly how I've had it in Spain. The service was truly excellent: personable and efficient, and most importantly not aloof, as it can often be especially down town and in the Back Bay. Now for my one gripe: "show tunes Tuesday." OK, so I get it, it's fun to go with your friends to a bar and listen to showtunes, sing along... whatever. But we were sitting on the romantic and peaceful patio and they were BLARING that music, so much that it really disrupted our meal. I think that if they are going to serve full-on dinner, then they should reserve at least a part of a restaurant for dining. If that one little aspect were fixed, I would not hesitate to give five stars, but the loud showtunes were pretty jarring to our whole experience.
