| About: | Warm chocolate brown walls, subdued lighting and fresh roses on every table provide the perfect backdrop for the visual and sensual artistry that is Masa's. Adjacent to Executive Hotel Vintage Court on the boarder of San Francisco's Union Square and Nob Hill, Masa's offers superlative service and exquisite California French cuisine elevated to new heights by Executive Chef Gregory Short. For over 25 years and continuing in the tradition of legendary founder Masataki Kobayashi, Masa's has made its reputation with a succession of world-renowned chefs that have deftly walked the line between culinary adventure and classicism. Chef Short and Master Sommelier Alan Murray delight in presenting nightly three-, five- and nine-course tasting menus highlighting the best of the season and region, the restaurant's 800-strong wine list, and otherworldly cocktails at the exclusive bar. "The French Laundry influences are evident..." -M. Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle's Top 100 Restaurants |
| Hours: | Dinner Tues.-Sat. |
| Categories: | Californian Restaurants, Italian Restaurants, French Restaurants, Mediterranean Restaurants, Continental Restaurants, Restaurants |
| Parking: | Valet |
| Payment: | MasterCard, Visa, American Express |
| Specialities: | Formal |
| Amenities: | Award Winning, BYOB, Banquet/Private Rooms, Lounge, Parking, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Pre Theatre, Reservations, Tasting Menu, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Tastings |
| Chef: | Gregory Short |
| Cuisine: | California, French, Mediterranean |
| Ambiance: | Elegant, Romantic |
| Feature: | Bar, Great Wine List, Late Night, Private Rooms |
| Reservations Policy: | Suggested |
| Smoking: | Special Section |
| Dress Code: | Business Casual |
| Price: | $45 - $85 |
| Other Contact Info: | Fax: 415 989 3141 Email: info@masasrestaurant.com |
Went for dinner a few nights ago for a special meal. Last time we went Julian Serrano was the chef. That was one of the best meals of my life, so I wanted to go back, and was willing to pay what I knew would be a substantial chunk of change. Here's how it was:
Atmoshere:
Got all dressed up, and so did the rest of my party.
New decor was nice, although some of the paintings didn't go together (abstract dark paintings across from cheery woodpeckers with red dots and music scores ? No...)
Guy next to me was wearing a hoody sweatshirt and Puma sneakers in Kelly green. Another guy in a t shirt was working on his Mac while eating alone.
So much for the dress code. We could all have been much more comfortable if only we'd known...
The bathroom is now in the hotel, and is kind of plastic and cheap. No more bathroom luxury.
Service:
Excellent at first, but then the floor manager (head waitress?) went home, and things sort of went down hill from there. Everyone was really polite, but dishes got served to the wrong people, food was described incorrectly, courses weren't held while a member of our party was in the restroom, ...that kind of stuff. All fine in a good restaurant, but not in a world class restaurant.
Food:
Okay we spent more than three hours eating and it was all really really good, except for the dessert (more about that later.) Amuse buches (yum), interesting flavor combinations, palate cleansers, pickled watermelon salad, gelee's, fois gras, caviar which was amazing...all pretty spectacular. Excellent wine.
Back to the dessert, which was ...well mediocre would be nice..awful more accurate. I kind of think the dishwasher did the dessert because it was a huge deviation from the rest of the meal.
Would I go back? Well definitely if someone else paid, and maybe if I was paying (now that i have lowered my expectations and know I don't have to dress up -which I hate)
It was overall very very good, but not a world class restaurant anymore.
Time tested, tried and true. Just keeps getting better and better!
Service and atmosphere are outstanding, but the food is not worth the prize. I tried their chef's samplers, and out of the 5 dishes being served, I only enjoyed 2 of them.