Buddakan Awards

Buddakan Restaurant Review:

Hip décor at this Stephen Starr restaurant is unimpeachably striking: sheets of water flowing at the entrance, dramatic lighting, neo-Philippe Starck furniture and a shiny, serene-looking Buddha. The place has been crowded from day one, so reservations are a must. Still, even a wait can’t spoil the calamari salad, beef satay, shrimp dumplings and pan-seared sea bass with truffle jus. It’s tempting to feast on the appetizers but save room for five spice duck breast with corn and scallion spoon bread or grilled lamb chops with eggplant and garlic sauce. Attractive, white-clad waitstaff will encourage you to share a number of dishes. Beware of ordering your entire meal at once --- everything comes out of the kitchen in a flash, and you’ll wind up feeling rushed. Pace the meal yourself for a much better experience. Desserts include the “Crying Chocolate Dome,” molten chocolate cake with liquid caramel, Thai tea bubbles and Mandarin sherbet.