LOTUS

Three-level restaurant, bar and club space in the VIP-rich, Sex and the City-saturated Meatpacking district. You’re either going to love it or find it too posey for words. The décor is done up in soft shades of caramel and chocolate while the spaces to base yourself include a two-room dining area (one by the bar); a balcony lounge furnished with sofas, carpets and cushions; and a large square basement space to shake your tail on and flirt with the guy in Armani flashing the Amex. Master-chef Richard Farnebe's admittedly pricey menu is big on seafood, with very some original ravioli and pasta creations. Celebrity DJs provide the soundtrack.


You come here for the designer-dressed crowd of suits and fashion types who love the drinks mixed and mashed to perfection by the dashing bar staff. House specialties? Try the muddled watermelon martini or the tasty muddled cucumber mix.

Before midnight, Lotus masquerades as an upscale Asian-fusion restaurant and swanky bar. Softly lit banquettes sit perched a tier above the lushly decorated main bar and dining area. A deep-house DJ entertains the diners, who slowly morph into bottle-service types and trek to the upstairs lounge or downstairs club. If it's spice you desire, skip dinner and come late, when the downstairs dance floor heats up.


A word to the wise, do not come in groups without girls, and do not dress in anything that didn't come straight from the runway. Lotus is rather discerning. Bottle reservations are highly recommended.