Three of us arrived at 4:50 on a Friday for happy hour which starts at 5pm Monday through Friday. The bar was full but the lounge area had plenty of seating when we arrived but filled up quickly as it got closer to 5pm. We waited til 5 and a waitress Justine approached us and took our drink and dumplings order. Their happy hour features $15 tiny martini flights and $1 dumplings. There is no minimum for dumplings you can order. The drinks came out quickly on these cute little trees and the dumplings right after on plates. The tricky part is the tables are in between the little couches so you either eat on your lap or at one of the tables in the middle. We ate on our laps which was fine. The chicken gyoza and pork potstickers were delicious!! We ordered another flight and more dumplings and despite it being very busy Justine was very attentive. Would definitely come again and make sure you get there before 5pm to secure a spot.

Had the most delightful dining experience here! A friend and I came for their happy hour deal which was incredibly worth it. We got a $15 Tiny Martini Flight and got the Manhattan, Lychee Martini, and Taotini, which were surprisingly a little strong. My favorite was the Taotini - sweet with a slight tang! My friend really enjoyed the Lychee Martini which I think TAO is known for. The dumplings were delicious and such a steal at $1 per dumpling! Between the two of us, we each had a total of 3 pan fried chicken gyozas and 3 pork potstickers. While the dumplings didn't taste super authentic, they were nonetheless crispy and flavorful. I was really surprised by how packed each dumpling was. We even ordered 3 more chicken gyozas later on just because of how good they were! Highly recommend going early. We got there a little after 5 and the downstairs bar was already filled so we went and sat at the empty bar upstairs. By the time we left around 6:30, both bars and most of the general dining tables were filled. The servers were very kind and upbeat. The inside is absolutely beautiful too. Really worth the trip!

Before anyone says anything, yes, I realize I am out of my depth at this place. We met some family friends here for a late lunch. Party of 8 please. We all did the 3 course lunch. I had the lettuce rolls, crying tiger hanger steak and banana pudding. Everything was top notch. Steak was perfect medium. Hot pink center and juice running in the plate. Banana pudding was excellent. Not grandma's recipe but really really good. Service was 5 star.

This happy hour deal is honestly kinda hard to beat. It's a very upscale restaurant, so these prices for a happy hour was fantastic! The martini flight was $15 for 3 martinis, I will say the martinis were kinda small and not all that strong. But they were so ridiculously tasty. Especially the espresso and litchi ones - so so delicious The dumplings were all also great - pretty cool value because they're $1 per dumpling so you can try all the different ones. The edamame is just $5 and you get SO much edemame - yummy edemame too! Definitely go early because the happy hour space gets stupidly crowded, we went around 6 on a Thursday and barely had place to stand. The vibe upstairs is fancy and well decorated though, so overall enjoyable experience!!

Amazing experience. Great food and excellent service. Drinks were delicious and the staff was super friendly. I'll definitely be bringing my family back here. Located in heart of NYC, this place boasts many accolades including a great space and a wonderful ambience.

My experience here was great , the food was fantastic. I had got the Pad Thai and the Oysters. It was phenomenal. The service here was fantastic too , everyone was very nice and welcoming. It was a dark ambiance but i enjoyed the overall vibe of the restaurant. 10/10

Though many reviews say TAO is overrated, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. Upon entering, the staff was welcoming and kind to my family. We were seated almost immediately and had one of the most friendly waiters who gave us plenty of time to look over the menu, had good suggestions based on our dietary needs as vegetarians, and even offered to take our photos in front of the Buddha statue in the center of the restaurant. The food came out at the right time and prepped exactly how we ordered it. We got the bamboo dumplings, veggie chow fun, shishito peppers, 8 green fried rice, and pad thai. Let me tell you, the food was so good that we finished each dish without leaving a crumb. Each dish had good flavor and were not overpowered by soy sauce or spices that would usually mask other aspects of the dish. And if we did not find the spice level to be up to our standard, there was plenty of chili oil, sriracha, and raw chili on the side. Ambiance was perfect, with a dim-litted center dining area and comfortable seating. There were spaces to have an intimate dinner and spaces where you can catch up with friends at their bar or lounge area. It was a little loud in the waiting/lounge area but once you get your own table, it becomes much more quiet. The restaurant is located in a good area where you can grab dessert at many local shops, take a walk in central park, or even take the tram to Roosevelt Island. Parking is obviously a hassle, but what can you do, its NYC. 5/5 Stars!

Great business lunch location - it's easy to make a reservation for a large party, and visually impressive for any out of towners. I arrived with my team of 6 people and we had to wait for the full party to be seated. It's dim and lightly lit by candles and soft inside with a huge statue and decorative scrolls. There is a $30 lunch prefixe that includes an appetizer and entree, and a supplemental charge +$5 for dessert. I got the caramelized shrimp as an appetizer which was pretty good but they arrived on a mint leaf which I'm not sure if I was supposed to eat or not lol. I thought what I got, the crying Tiger hanger steak, was a decent deal for lunch - the other options looked okay too. The steak was cooked well, medium rare, and seasoned. The fries were honestly really good as well, and seasoned!