Masa (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Masa Takayama |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Manhattan, New York City; Las Vegas (Bar Masa) |
| Products | Japanese cuisine, sushi, omakase dining experience |
is an upscale Japanese and sushi dining establishment situated on the fourth level of the Deutsche Bank Center at 10 Columbus Circle in Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 2004 by Chef Masa Takayama, it is celebrated for its exclusive omakase culinary experience.
Next to Masa lies Bar Masa, a more budget-friendly option featuring an à la carte selection. In 2009, a second Bar Masa branch was introduced within the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Menu
The dining experience at Masa consists solely of chef-curated omakase courses, priced at $750 per guest before tax and beverages, with gratuity included. The premium "$950 Hinoki Experience" ensures seating at the sushi counter, while a $495 lunch menu is also offered. The sushi counter is constructed from rare Japanese hinoki wood, valued at $260,000. With a seating capacity of only 26, reservations must be made three weeks ahead.
Chef Masa personally crafts the menu, emphasizing seasonal and rare ingredients like truffles and Omi beef. The majority of fish is sourced directly from Japan. He frequently works behind the sushi bar and occasionally interacts with patrons. Though no formal menu is presented, Chef Masa keeps records of guest preferences to customize future visits.
Recognition
Since 2009, Masa has held the Michelin Guide’s top rating, becoming the first Japanese restaurant in the United States to do so. It earned three out of four stars from The New York Times and a perfect five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide (previously Mobil Guide). The restaurant has been recognized among New York’s Top 50 by Travel + Leisure. Between 2005 and 2009, Forbes designated Masa as the Most Expensive Restaurant in the US and named it The World’s Most Expensive Sushi from 2007 through 2009.
Chef
Masa Takayama, originally from Japan, began his culinary journey at Tokyo’s esteemed Sushiko in Ginza. In 1980, he relocated to Los Angeles where he launched Ginza Sushiko, which became one of LA’s priciest dining spots with an average meal cost of $105. After nearly twenty years, he sold the establishment to his sous-chef and moved to New York to open Masa and subsequently Bar Masa in both New York and Las Vegas. He further expanded with a second Las Vegas location in 2009.
See also
- List of sushi restaurants
- List of Michelin 3-star restaurants in the United States
- List of Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2004 establishments in New York City
- Columbus Circle
- Michelin-starred Asian restaurants in Manhattan
- Restaurants established in 2004
- Sushi restaurants in New York (state)
- Japanese restaurants in Manhattan
- Fine dining restaurants in New York City
- Fine dining restaurants in Manhattan
- Michelin-starred Japanese restaurants in New York (state)