Masa (restaurant)
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese and sushi
restaurant
in New York City
's Time Warner Center
. The restaurant was opened by Chef Masa Takayama
in 2004 and is considered one of the most expensive restaurants in the world. Located next door to the restaurant is Bar Masa, a less expensive and more accessible restaurant containing much of the same food found at Masa. In 2009, a second Bar Masa opened inside Aria
in Las Vegas, Nevada
.
The menu is Omakase
only and a dinner costs between $350–600 per person, not including tip, tax or drinks. The sushi bar itself is a $60,000 piece of rare hinoki wood from Japan. There is only one seating each for dinner and lunch. Reservations for the 26 available seats are taken three weeks in advance. Chef Masa prepares the menu himself, often including seasonal ingredients. He uses many exotic ingredients, such as truffles and Kobe beef
. Most of the fish is flown in from Japan. Chef Masa can be seen working behind the bar and will sometimes serve the food as well. While there is no menu to order from, Chef Masa does keep a record of what he has served to his customers and what their reactions were.
Masa garnered the Michelin Guide
's highest rating starting with the 2009 guide and was the first Japanese restaurant in the U.S. to do so. It is one of only seven current restaurants in New York City awarded the maximum four out of four stars by The New York Times
. It has also received five out of five stars in the Forbes Travel Guide (formerly known as the Mobil Guide). It has been named as one of New York's Top 50 by Travel + Leisure
. Forbes
named Masa as the Most Expensive Restaurant In The U.S. for 2005 through 2009 as well as The World's Most Expensive Sushi in 2007 through 2009.
Masa Takayama
was born and raised in Japan. After high school, he worked at Tokyo's famous Sushiko in Ginza
. In 1980, he moved to Los Angeles
, where he would eventually open his own Ginza Sushiko. After almost 20 years, and after having established Ginza Sushiko as one of the most expensive restaurants in Los Angeles at an average meal price of $105 per person, he sold his restaurant to his sous-chef and moved to New York to open Masa and later Bar Masa in both New York and Las Vegas. He would continue further to open his second restaurant in Las Vegas in 2009.
Sushi
is a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients . Neta and forms of sushi presentation vary, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is shari...
restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Time Warner Center
Time Warner Center
The Time Warner Center is a mixed-use skyscraper developed by AREA Property Partners and The Related Companies in New York City. Its design, by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, consists of two 750 ft towers bridged by a multi-story atrium containing upscale retail shops...
. The restaurant was opened by Chef Masa Takayama
Masa Takayama
is the chef and owner of Masa, a three-Michelin-starred Japanese and sushi restaurant in New York City. He is also owner of Bar Masa, with a location adjacent to his New York restaurant as well as a location in the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Early years:Born in Kuroiso, a small...
in 2004 and is considered one of the most expensive restaurants in the world. Located next door to the restaurant is Bar Masa, a less expensive and more accessible restaurant containing much of the same food found at Masa. In 2009, a second Bar Masa opened inside Aria
ARIA Resort & Casino
Aria Resort & Casino is a luxury resort and casino located within the CityCenter complex on the Las Vegas Strip. Aria consists of two curved glass and steel highrise towers adjoined at the center. It opened on December 16, 2009 as a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Infinity World...
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
The menu is Omakase
Omakase
is a Japanese phrase that means "I'll leave it to you" .The expression is used at sushi restaurants to leave the selection to the chef. It differs from ordering à la carte. The chef will generally present a series of plates, beginning with the lightest fare and proceeding to heaviest, richest dishes...
only and a dinner costs between $350–600 per person, not including tip, tax or drinks. The sushi bar itself is a $60,000 piece of rare hinoki wood from Japan. There is only one seating each for dinner and lunch. Reservations for the 26 available seats are taken three weeks in advance. Chef Masa prepares the menu himself, often including seasonal ingredients. He uses many exotic ingredients, such as truffles and Kobe beef
Kobe beef
refers to cuts of beef from the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyū cattle, raised according to strict tradition in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The meat is generally considered to be a delicacy, renowned for its flavour, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Kobe beef can be prepared as steak,...
. Most of the fish is flown in from Japan. Chef Masa can be seen working behind the bar and will sometimes serve the food as well. While there is no menu to order from, Chef Masa does keep a record of what he has served to his customers and what their reactions were.
Masa garnered the Michelin Guide
Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars...
's highest rating starting with the 2009 guide and was the first Japanese restaurant in the U.S. to do so. It is one of only seven current restaurants in New York City awarded the maximum four out of four stars by The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
. It has also received five out of five stars in the Forbes Travel Guide (formerly known as the Mobil Guide). It has been named as one of New York's Top 50 by Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure is a travel magazine based in New York City, New York. Published 12 times a year, it has 4.8 million readers, according to its corporate media kit. It is put out by American Express Publishing Corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company led by...
. Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
named Masa as the Most Expensive Restaurant In The U.S. for 2005 through 2009 as well as The World's Most Expensive Sushi in 2007 through 2009.
Masa Takayama
Masa Takayama
is the chef and owner of Masa, a three-Michelin-starred Japanese and sushi restaurant in New York City. He is also owner of Bar Masa, with a location adjacent to his New York restaurant as well as a location in the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Early years:Born in Kuroiso, a small...
was born and raised in Japan. After high school, he worked at Tokyo's famous Sushiko in Ginza
Ginza
is a district of Chūō, Tokyo, located south of Yaesu and Kyōbashi, west of Tsukiji, east of Yūrakuchō and Uchisaiwaichō, and north of Shinbashi.It is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses. Ginza is recognized as one of the most...
. In 1980, he moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where he would eventually open his own Ginza Sushiko. After almost 20 years, and after having established Ginza Sushiko as one of the most expensive restaurants in Los Angeles at an average meal price of $105 per person, he sold his restaurant to his sous-chef and moved to New York to open Masa and later Bar Masa in both New York and Las Vegas. He would continue further to open his second restaurant in Las Vegas in 2009.
Masa in Popular Culture
- In the January 4, 2007, episode of the U.S. TV series Ugly BettyUgly BettyUgly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series revolves around the character Betty Suarez and is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian telenovela soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea...
, Masa was mentioned several times. In the episode, Daniel wants to clinch a deal with an important Japanese designer and part of his plan is to take the designer to Masa for dinner at the Chef's Table. Daniel believes the cachet of the restaurant will help clinch the deal.