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Tao stands out from the crowd of restaurants and clubs in Las Vegas for a number of reasons — and its interior design is one big one. At 42,000 square feet, the complex features a swanky nightclub, ultra-lounge, banquet facility and restaurant. In all those areas, it’s hip Asian décor at its best. Small pools topped with flower petals welcome you at the entrance, setting the stage for the rest of the expansive space; the dark, lounge space features upholstered chairs at the bar, with low-set sofas near the entrance. Tables are also low — at a coffee-table height — with more traditional tables and seating in the dining room area. There you’ll spot candles in-laid into the wall and the restaurant’s centerpiece — a 20-foot, hand-carved statue of Buddha floating above an infinity pool swimming with Japanese koi. The rich silks and velvets and the dark atmosphere define Tao’s sexy-chic interior design, and the stone, wood and lush details make this lounge and bistro a distinct dining experience, even among the myriad of options you’ll have in Las Vegas.

Have no hesitations about booking Tao as a romantic spot to take a date. The décor alone is sure to set the mood, with lush velvet and silk upholstery, candlelit spaces and striking Asian details. The giant Buddha statue reigns over the dining area, with an infinity pool below it — complete with Japanese koi — while the lounge area’s low-slung tables and sofas offer a sexy, yet relaxed atmosphere. And since most of the Las Vegas restaurant’s dishes are made for sharing, you’ll have another intimate experience added to the alluring environment. We definitely think of Tao as a romantic restaurant, — be sure to stick around or come back to the restaurant when the upstairs transforms into a nightlife hotspot, perfect for sipping a few drinks and dancing to the beat overhead.

Tao features a number of drink options; as one of the hippest nightclubs in all of Las Vegas, the complex spans 42,000 square feet and offers you a bar, lounge, restaurant and nightclub. Within any of those spaces, you can sip on a signature Black Pearl, a blackberry concoction that’s more citrusy than sweet, or the Tao-tini, made with Svedka clementine, Three Olives raspberry vodka, Malibu rum, cranberry and fresh lime juice. Or try Tao’s Love Potion No. 9, made with Bacardi Razz, cranberry juice and Tao lifeforce energy potion.

The specialty cocktails generally have an Asian bent — which makes sense, given the surroundings — with more options including the lychee martini, made with Grey Goose, triple sec and fresh lychee puree, or the Ruby Red Dragon, made with Finlandia grapefruit, yuzu citrus and a dash of pomegranate, just to name a few. The Las Vegas restaurant also serves a wide selection of teas, including oolong and green varieties, so even when you’re not in the mood for a signature cocktail, you’ll still be able to order a beverage bursting with flavor.

Desserts at Tao combine Asian ingredients and classic American dishes for original twists on sweets you already know and love. Choose from crispy Fuji apple blossoms with Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, lemongrass crème brûlée with macadamia biscotti or a choice of ice creams and sorbets. Chocoholics will love the extensive list of dishes such as chocolate spring rolls with Kalamansi dipping sauce, molten chocolate cake with coconut ice cream and a giant fortune cookie with white and dark chocolate mousse. One of our favorite desserts at Tao is the yuzu-sugar dusted doughnuts served with three dipping sauces — don’t miss them. Tao also offers a mocha tasting and an extensive tea menu, all geared towards ending your meal on a sweet note.

Tao specializes in Hong Kong Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines, with a menu geared toward sharing. Most dishes come family-style, allowing you to pass plates around the table and to try the myriad of options you’ll see on the bistro and lounge menu. To start your meal, choose from small plates, such as lobster wontons with shiitake ginger broth, or order from the menu’s selection of soups, dumplings, spring rolls, barbecue dishes and tempura options. For mains, the Las Vegas restaurant’s menu offers “noble treasures from the sea,” including the signature sea bass; “from the sky,” such as the Peking duck for two; and “from the land,” including the wasabi-crusted filet mignon with tempura onion rings. A “from the sides” entrée section offers vegetarian-friendly dishes such as the spicy hoi yin eggplant, while “sophisticated noodles and rice” includes options such as pad Thai noodles. You can also choose from a menu of sushi and sashimi, with basic rolls such as the sake salmon to the special rolls, including the crispy soft shell crab roll with yuzu mayonnaise. Spanning a vast range of cultures, Tao’s menu combines tastes of China, Japan and Thailand to bring to you a menu filled with exotic flavors and ingredients you won’t find anywhere else — at least all under one roof.

Tao offers a fusion of Hong Kong Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine, so you’ll have a variety of Asian options to choose from. With that in mind, here’s our list of the five best things to order at Tao:

1. Black Pearl. This signature drink comes served with a skewered blackberry, and while fruity, it’s not too sweet; citrusy, but with substance.

2. Lobster wontons. Served with shiitake ginger broth, these Chinese dumplings start any meal at Tao in the right direction.

3. Seabass. Miso-glazed and served with wok vegetables, this house specialty lets the delicate flavors of the sea take center stage.

4. Filet mignon. It’s hard to make a bad filet, but Tao takes it to another level with a wasabi crust and tempura onion rings.

5. Spicy shrimp roll. This sushi specialty, made with spicy shrimp, king crab and asparagus stands out, even among the other special rolls Tao serves; the texture is as nice as the flavor.

Tao has more than just a bar — in addition to its standard bar serving drinks during dining hours, Tao opens up as one of the hottest nightclubs in all of Las Vegas after dinner. You can sip on a Black Pearl cocktail in the lounge area before dinner, or order a full meal at the bar, but once you’re finished, you can stick around until upstairs opens. The club, popular with celebrities and visiting party people, gives you access to a number of different sultry rooms with a variety of music styles spinning around you. The only menu item you won’t be able to order at the bar is the Shabu Shabu, given its tableside searing. If you plan to leave Tao and come back to the club later, be sure to get a stamp on your way out from dinner — you’ll get free entry into the nightclub and can avoid the line and cover charge.

Though you’ll have a selection of sleek sofas at the front lounge area in Tao, the best tables are in the back of the restaurant, next to the private dining area. Tables 90, 91 and 92 are booths — offering more seclusion than the rest of the dining space, lounge or bar. There, you’ll be able to share in the family-style dishes, such as the lobster wontons or the spicy shrimp roll. And if you’ve got the gumption (and the money), come back to Tao after dinner hours and snag yourself a VIP space, where you can look out on the dance floor from a booth or table while you sip on the nightclub’s signature cocktails.

Tao stands out from the crowd of restaurants and clubs in Las Vegas for a number of reasons — and its interior design is one big one. At 42,000 square feet, the complex features a swanky nightclub, ultra-lounge, banquet facility and restaurant. In all those areas, it’s hip Asian décor at its best. Small pools topped with flower petals welcome you at the entrance, setting the stage for the rest of the expansive space; the dark, lounge space features upholstered chairs at the bar, with low-set sofas near the entrance. Tables are also low — at a coffee-table height — with more traditional tables and seating in the dining room area. There you’ll spot candles in-laid into the wall and the restaurant’s centerpiece — a 20-foot, hand-carved statue of Buddha floating above an infinity pool swimming with Japanese koi. The rich silks and velvets and the dark atmosphere define Tao’s sexy-chic interior design, and the stone, wood and lush details make this lounge and bistro a distinct dining experience, even among the myriad of options you’ll have in Las Vegas.

Dining at Tao will usually cost you about $75 per person; entrees range in price from $27 for the crispy orange chicken and roasted Thai Buddha chicken up to $85 for the grilled 12-ounce Kobe rib-eye with yuzu cilantro butter. The Las Vegas restaurant serves a predominantly Hong Kong Chinese, Japanese and Thai menu, with a selection of sushi and sashimi rounding out your options. Sushi and sashimi range from $4 to $8 per roll, with special rolls, such as the spicy shrimp roll, costing between $14 and $25. Given the restaurant and lounge’s luxe atmosphere, we think the prices are pretty reasonable. Don’t forget to order one of Tao’s specialty cocktails, or even stick around later when the nightclub starts bouncing.

Tao has a fairly lax dress code; though there are a few parameters to what you can and cannot wear to the trendy bistro and nightclub. Men, don’t show up in tank tops, and flip-flops and bathing suits aren’t permitted for diners of either gender. During dinner hours, Tao features a main dining space, lounge and bar, and you can order a complete meal in any of these areas, while later in the evening it turns into one of Las Vegas’ hippest clubs. Just to be safe, we recommend wearing business casual attire to Tao, giving you the flexibility to just pop in for a meal or to stick around for more of the late-night action.