FORBIDDEN CITY

212 Avenue A
[L at 1st Ave]

My friend, whose name regularly escapes me, invited me to Forbidden City for the first time some weeks ago and I really wanted to review it. But then, when I wandered back again and again for the way reasonable happy hour, delightful snacks and accomodating staff, I knew I had to memorialize my new favorite Lower East Side dive with the way easy to remember addy.

Not that the place is even that much of a dive. Its actually pretty swank, especially considering that the price is right - who knew tapas style Japanese food could be so reasonable ? There horseshoe shaped bar dominates the main room and is worked by friendly bartenders. The back room plays current Japanimation on a drop down screen and is populated by tables that worrk for parties 2-12 (trust me, we tried - and gave Mel a hell of a send off). And man, if you hit happy hour (everyday, 6-10p), you get an impressive array of Japan-tinged cocktails (lychee, anyone?) for about $6 each. So yes, go, but don't wear flip flops; we are talking Avenue A here.