An unforgettable omakase experience w/ luxe ingredients like truffles & caviar. A truly captivating culinary performance.
BARMASA / MASA offers an exceptional and meticulously crafted omakase experience, renowned for its serene atmosphere and the distinctive style of Chef Masa Takayama. The menu showcases luxurious ingredients like truffles, caviar, and foie gras, with standout dishes such as foie gras nigiri and tender abalone, promising a captivating and unforgettable culinary journey.
This Japanese restaurant is celebrated for its omakase sushi experience, featuring high-end ingredients like truffles, caviar, and foie gras. Standout dishes include foie gras nigiri and abalone. While the quality is often praised, the extremely high price point is a recurring theme in customer feedback.
"Dishes frequently highlighted include the foie gras nigiri and exceptionally tender abalone. The overall omakase experience, encompassing high-end sushi and otsumami with unique Western influences, is also highly recommended."
Customers generally regard the restaurant as exceptionally high-end, with a focus on omakase sushi and a price point to match. While the food and service are often described as exceptional, the cost is a significant consideration for many.
Important Note
The restaurant is exceptionally expensive, with omakase meals often costing upwards of $700-$1000 per person. Some diners question if the experience justifies the cost, and there have been discussions about the chef not always being present.
"This commenter praised another user's detailed review of Masa, agreeing that Shion offered a superior overall experience and appreciating the lack of a simple complaint about pricing."
Positive"This commenter felt Masa should lose two of its three stars, considering the chefs there as primarily in training and expressing disappointment."
Negative"This user pointed out that a major issue with Masa is that the chef himself is not always present, and there's no price adjustment or heads-up for diners when this occurs."
Negative"This user questioned whether Masa should have been present more often, implying it might have impacted their rating."
Neutral"Following up on a previous comment, this user shared surprise about Per Se retaining its stars, noting a past negative experience but also hearing that the restaurant has improved significantly since a critical review."
Neutral"This commenter argued that Masa is no longer competitive in the modern sushi scene, citing issues like Masa not always being present, the high price point, and the chef's training being from an older, less refined era. They suggested that in Tokyo, Masa would receive a lower rating and be significantly cheaper."
Negative"A short, strongly negative reaction to Masa losing a star."
Negative"Reflecting on Masa's opening, this user notes that while friends initially raved about it, increased competition and rising prices make it hard to justify the top rating, especially compared to other excellent sushi options. They also draw parallels to other fine dining restaurants like Per Se and Alinea experiencing similar perceived declines in value or quality over time."
Negative"This user expressed surprise that Per Se has maintained its three stars, having not yet dined at Masa."
Neutral"A brief, negative sentiment towards the restaurant."
Negative"This user believes Masa's loss of a star was inevitable due to the significant gap between its price and perceived quality, stating the sushi was very good but not extraordinary enough for the cost."
Negative"This commenter suggested that Masa's price had become insane, implying that even Michelin reviewers might be concerned."
Negative"This user found the appetizers incredible and the nigiri comparable to other high-end sushi restaurants, but questioned Masa's three-star rating and exorbitant pricing."
Neutral"The commenter humorously recalls experiencing Masa for free in the past due to a past relationship with a chef."
Neutral"The commenter states the tasting menu at Masa is likely $700-$900 per person, making it out of the original poster's budget."
Negative"Masa is mentioned as a place with a tasting menu, though the commenter is unsure of current price points."
Neutral"The user questioned why Masa having three stars would be a good thing in the context of the original post."
Neutral"The user suggested Masa as a possibility if the restaurant in question has three stars."
Neutral"The commenter suggests considering Masa for a celebratory meal."
Neutral"Bar Masa is suggested as a possible option for the requested outing."
Positive
