Upon approaching it from inside the Venetian, where it's part of the Grand Canal Shoppes, you'll know Tao because you'll see the word written in an Asian font between two enormous red rectangles above a menu that's highlighted by beehive lights. Behind the left rectangle is the Tao retail store. Behind the right rectangle, meanwhile -- in the first of many nods to the authentic Asian culture that's so prevalent in the restaurant -- are a series of moon gates surrounded on each side by filled bathtubs adorned with floating red and yellow rose petals. Candles sit in the center and on either side of each tub, creating ethereal lighting. Moon gates, originally a structure in the gardens of wealthy Chinese nobles, have many different spiritual meanings. For example, the gates' sloping roofs are reminiscent of the half moon of Chinese summers. At Tao, the gates create a tunnel leading into the restaurant. After making your way through it, you'll arrive at the hostess station, which opens into the lounge area.

The first room you enter prior to the main dining room, Tao's sexy, ultra-chic lounge area is extensive, accommodating approximately 400. Lit by spotlighting as well as as candlelight, the room's romantic feel comes from its sizzling mood lighting, as well as its exotic ambience. To create that ambience, Tao's owners made multiple treks to China, Japan and Thailand in order to secure the many authentic Asian artifacts that are so prevalent throughout the restaurant, including the century-old woods and stones, as well as the lush velvet and silk accents. As in much of Asia, water also plays an important role in the décor -- as does the Buddha. Directly to your right upon entry, for instance, there's a wall of Buddhas peering out from behind recessed red rectangular cutouts, keeping guard over semi-circular sofas surrounding small, circular tables lit by table lamps. Buddhas are indicative of good luck and are prevalent throughout the restaurant. While the wall of Buddhas is on the right, toward your left, directly past the hostess station, is a framed piece of swirling, three-dimensional artwork above an L-shaped couch. Directly past that couch is an intricate framed sculpture; featuring what looks like abstract floral patterns, it decorates the wall along with several couches that fill out the corner and surround dark rectangular tables. Rounding out this corner of the lounge is yet another recessed rectangular box in the wall, which is occupied by a large golden Buddha. Throughout the lounge, freestanding couches provide comfortable seating beside small tables with candles. Although they combined create a single large lounge, each of these individual seating areas is an intimate pocket for your party. It's a fun place to enjoy a drink, and a lucky one, too, thanks to bamboo; known for good luck in the Asian culture, it's strategically placed throughout the lounge beneath red recessed cutouts in the ceiling, inside of which are spotlights that light the room from above. Directly opposite the wall of Buddhas is the L-shaped bar, which seats about 19. Its base is made of granite and its top of resin, illuminated from beneath, that houses Asian good luck charms inside it. Not the only bar -- upstairs there is a slate service bar -- this one has several shelves for premium bottles, although the real attraction is the golden draperies above, which reflect light in order to create a dazzling effect. Barstools are tall and armless with high backs. Tao serves its full menu in the lounge, where there's plenty of room to sit and enjoy it.