The Tao of food

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Whitney Bryen, OPUBCO Communications Group

Published: October 1, 2008

A new restaurant on Memorial Road in Oklahoma City brings Asian flare to the city’s flourishing dining and entertainment district.

The “Zen-Master chic” restaurant by day and ultra-lounge by night is owned by Tony Henry. It is impeccably decorated to create a relaxing, yet hip environment with a definite east meets modern motif complete with a 400-pound solid jade Buddha that greets guests entering the two-story building.

Buddha Tao offers a variety of experiences. Guests looking for a nice place for a quite lunch will indeed find that. Likewise for those looking for a unique nightlife experience, Buddha Tao fits the bill.

“After 10 p.m. the upstairs bar, also called Opium Lounge, will be limited to those 21 and older, providing a more nightlife experience for those who want it,” Henry said.

For those hoping to experience the restaurant’s modern Asian cuisine a selection of more than 20 sushi rolls, ranging from traditional to unique, should satisfy your cravings. The selection is all but limited with choices ranging from a $3 avocado roll with rice, seaweed and avocado to the $23.50 lobster roll, a decadent bundle of snow crab, cream cheese, avocado, fried asparagus and masago topped with cold water lobster and braised in a lobster flavored sauce.

If sushi is not your thing the entrée menus will persuade any food lover to stop in and take a bite. The lunch entrées range from quesadillas to burgers and a teriyaki wrap. During dinner the options include some Asian-infused all-American favorites like the 8 ounce filet mignon that is pepper coated and topped with a mushroom demi glace and the highly recommended halibut, which is pan seared and topped with lump crab meat and dynamite sauce served with garlic green beans atop a bed of pineapple fried rice.

“We really tried to make our food affordable,” Henry said. “It’s something that was really important to the success of this restaurant at this location.”

The intricate menu gives way to the simplistic and stylish design, which includes an open layout, sleek black seating and a sushi bar at the front of the lower dining area. Drink bars are located on both floors and include an array of wine, beer, liquor and Saki.

The lighting and music really set the mood for the lounge experience, Henry said. The music will be a mix of urban beats and coffeehouse rock creating for an adult environment that is sophisticated and fun.

Monday Sept. 22 marked the official opening of Buddha Tao after a busy soft opening weekend. The restaurant will be opened from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily serving full menu items until 11 p.m. and a late menu until 1:30 a.m.

A private room and bar called the Juju Den will be available for large parties or business meetings.

“We already have the private room being booked for Christmas parties,” Henry said. “I think that is a sign of the months to come and the need for a place like this in Oklahoma City.”