Comments on: Is BAR MASA Worth It?

By: LVFoodie

LVFoodie — Sat, 29 May 2010 10:03:33 +0000

Regarding the $500/person room, skip it. Put it towards your mortgage or a ticket to Tokyo. I will admit that the ingredients are all of high quality and are mostly shipped in straight from Japan. However, I feel like thay are sending them first class instead of under the plane. Furthermore, as so few can afford the place, you can’t help but feel like you are being watched by the numerous waiters while you eat in this huge empty room. Every word you utter, every slurp, bite , and chew, you’re on display.

My favorite part was the japanese apple. It was so good I asked for another order (3 thin slices). 3 bites and $518 plus a $100 tip/person and I was on my way.

By: jsmeeker

jsmeeker — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:32:52 +0000

Union? Hmmm… I would think they wouldn’t have troubles filling up those Light Group places. But maybe having essentially the same restaurant three properties in a row, they are over saturated?

By: John Curtas

John Curtas — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:56:36 +0000

Doomed to a quick and ignominious end. Not even whiskey besotted, Japanese high rollers are interested in paying that kind of coin for a meal cooked by underlings of a famous chef who is hardly ever going to be in Vegas.

The future of that room, and Bar Masa entirely, will be fascinating to behold. All the great food and great press in the world ain’t gonna fill it up, and as much as we like the vittles, our crystal ball sees it as the first casualty among Aria restaurants…with Union being close behind.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:36:15 +0000

Any thoughts on the relative value of the $500/person room?

By: vegasdave

vegasdave — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:41:58 +0000

Once again ELV you get right to the heart of the matter.

Bar Masa is great for three (at least) reasons:

1. Their Toro (even at 15 bucks a piece) is the best sushi you will ever eat.
2. You cant get wasabi cress salad at many other places, and it is heavenly.
3. Ho Ho Shoo sparkling saki is a pretty damn good beverage.

Is Bar Masa expensive? F*ck yes.

But I look at the cost this way: A mid range Napa Cab or even a stunning Pinot from Oregon is at least 7X more expensive than the quaffable Pinot that Mark West puts out. Even at $30 for two pieces of Toro, Bar Masa’s offering is only 3X more expensive than the toro you can get at I love Sushi. In this regard it is a relative bargain.

Bar Masa is a superior eating experience, and sadly given the economic climate, it is doomed to fail. But the food, service and experience are without equal in the Japanese eating realm.

BTW ELV I’m having dinner at Bern’s in Tampa tonight. Yum!

By: atdleft

atdleft — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:23:52 +0000

I’m still wondering how they’ll make it in that massive space, but I’ll have to taste for myself soon.

By: EC Gladstone

EC Gladstone — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:35:05 +0000

I would quote myself, but instead I’ll just link myself;-)
http://www.orbitz.com/blog/2010/03/las-vegas-restaurants-10-standouts-at-citycenter/#more-4575

Intriguingly, more than one friend with significant Tokyo experience noted that Bar Masa was even more expensive than the best sushi they’d had in Tokyo. Which makes sense…and also doesn’t make sense. Also, Chef Masa told me, without any reservation, that he won’t be spending much time here. Can a corporate casino afford to give valuable real estate to shrines…and ones that don’t even feel like a high-roller experience (in contrast to Robuchon, Savoy, Alex). Time. Will. Tell.