Always craving innovative-Asian-fusion-whatever, I had to hit
Buddakan in the Meatpacking District to witness what all the fuss is about. The entrance is like a gothic castle (nothing Asian about it) where a pimped-out, larger-than-life and obviously fak
e The Feast of Acheloüs by Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder illuminates (actually glows!) behind a vampy Vegas-style reception desk.
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| BUDDAKAN, 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY, 212-989-6699 |
We came for casual apps and cocktails and observed from a dim corner table. The bar scene was swanky, sexy and sophisticated, bustling with sharp suits and tipsy stilletos. Laurie hinted that I wouldn't love the food but would dig the digs.
Lush, $12. Love the bar...
Edamame Dumplings, $12. How on earth did this become a signature item? (The filling seemed wrong on so many levels.)
Spicy Yellowtail Yu Sheng, $14.
Cantonese Spring Rolls, $12. Felt robbed.
Chilled Udon, $10. We tried to like it - we really did. Fyi, that's a scoop of sorbet and segments of citrus.
The decor is grand, theatrical, beautiful-chic-gaudy (all at the same time), a confusing mix of Euro-Chinese-Vegas... like an exaggerated, ancient, sci-fi, Far East palace.
Regarding the food (and after reading the raving reviews that go on and on...), the first and only thing that comes to mind is The Emperor's New Clothes ;'( That said, if you must check out this massive place, come for girlie cocktails and enjoy the view.
It is amazing how different people's taste buds perceive things. I am throwing a dinner party and two years ago I had the chilled udon dish at Buddakan and I can not get the brilliance of that dish out of my mind. I was looking for pictures of that dish that is how I came to this blog. The chilled udon dish at buddakan is a triumph.
ReplyDeleteThanks and I appreciate your perspective. I will absolutely try it again. Thanks!
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