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Asian décor and movies projected on the wall make Forbidden City’s small dining room seem like a funky and promising place to have dinner. However, the restaurant is empty at 9:00 (and at 10, and at 11...) on a Saturday night, almost definitely due to its wildly inconsistent fare. About half of the dishes are flavorful and have been thoughtfully prepared; the other half, however, lack any discernible taste whatsoever. The shrimp and spinach dumpling consists of one piping hot rock shrimp falling from its bland and flimsy shell (and no apparent traces of spinach). Yet beef tataki is tender and its sauce is a perfect match (the little bit of braised endive served with it is particularly tasty). Appealing to the waiter for advice is a smart move—the flaky fluke sashimi he recommends makes up for the all-croquette-and-no-crab king crab croquettes. Green tea crème brûlée is a pleasant way to finish and a great palate cleanser—it's just a shame that you'll be so eager to do just that. — Amy Allison

Sun., 9 p.m.–midnight, Afro-Cuban music

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Wed.–Sat., 10 p.m.–2 a.m.