31578 Sun Sep 19 11:52:48 -0700 2004 9 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 138377 I haven't been able to keep track of the chef-go-round that seems to be happening there these days -- I've got a B-day dinner res there next week for one of my friends, but I haven't seen any word about how the place has fared since Ron Siegel (and his entire kitchen staff) hit the road. Does anyone have word about what the new regime's cooking is like? Sun Sep 19 11:52:48 -0700 2004 0 Mark Lee 1 138406 The current chef is Richard Reddington from Auberge du Soleil. I haven't had his cooking but I have a friend (who is a very reliable source for food related information) who ate at French Laundry and Auberge (when Reddington was there) on his birthday weekend. My friend RAVED about the Auberge meal and encouraged me to go there asap, but had little to say about the FL meal. Masa's Press Release about new team http://www.executivehotels.net/vintagecourt/documents/masa_pressrelease.htm Sun Sep 19 17:09:23 -0700 2004 138377 0 Pssst 1 138426 This is my first review on chowhound so it might be not as detailed as others. This was my first time at Masa's so I can't really compare it to when Ron Siegel was there. I went last night to celebrate my bf's birthday and had an unfortunate situation occur. Apparently, they didn't tell us that jacket was required when they called to confirm the reservation. Luckily, I had checked the night before and read that jacket was required. Nothing said on the website about what "ladies" needed to wear. So I showed up in a really nice pair of jeans, boots, and sweater. Nothing trashy, but hey, the current trend for chicks is jeans. Anyways, they wouldn't let me in the dining room and so I had to run to BR and buy a pair of pants. The hostess was nice about it (giving me time to buy pants) but condescending at the same time (telling me that it should be assumed that jeans are not allowed). I didn't want to fight it since it was my bf's birthday dinner and didn't want to waste time to fight to wear the jeans or to make a scene. Dinner (my opinion might be a little skewed cause of what happened). Amuse - French onion prosciutto soup and a prosciutto/fig salad. Nothing special. Four courses, about four-five choices in each category. First course: I had the Cold Foie Gois selection which was excellent. Three versions (mousse, terrine, touchon?) with brioche toast. The bf had a main crab salad thing which was light and refreshing. Second course: Risotto for the both of us. Nothing special. Bf liked how it was very citrus-y. Main course: I had the duck and he had snapper (he substituted an appetizer for his entree as he is a non-meat eater and all the choices on the main course was all meat/poultry/etc). Duck was good but not wow. It was served with an apple salad and the duck was served on a bed of endives. Probably the best part was dessert. A fairly wide selection of dessert (about 7-8 choices). And there was a cute little cart with petite fours that you can choose how ever many little candies you want. Food - I'd give it a 6/7. Service - 8. We spoke to the maitre'd regarding what happened and he was apologetic about the situation (since it was not mentioned when we confirmed nor was it mentioned on the website). Hopefully, with fashion trends changing, they will update their website with explicit details on what is not allowed (not going to hold my breath on this one). Would I go again? I'd probably go to the Ritz to try Ron's food and then i'll decide whether or not to go to Masa's. After what happened, probably not but we'll see! Hope this helps! Sun Sep 19 20:02:47 -0700 2004 138377 0 a chick who likes her jeans! 2 138429 Also wanted to add that the maitre'd handled the situation very professionally. He took care of us and brought over two glasses of champagne (something rare and pink) and made a point to say goodnight. The hostess however needs to get her ego into check and probably had a nice time sending me my merry way to run and buy pants. Sun Sep 19 22:31:10 -0700 2004 138426 0 a chick who likes her jeans! 2 138571 "It should be asssumed that jeans are not allowed"?!? In San Francisco? I'm amazed anyone would say that. Other than Harris', I haven't heard of a restaurant here enforcing a dress code in years. Mon Sep 20 20:04:23 -0700 2004 138426 0 Robert Lauriston 3 138607 Clearly Masa's DOES have a dress code, which is stated on their website: 'Jackets required, Ties optional'. so, maybe it is just fashion-impaired me, but I would in fact assume that jeans were NOT ok at any place that says jackets are required . I mean, I just could never see myself wearing jeans if poor hubby had to put on a jacket. Perhaps the statement was meant as a way of saying: 'If a jacket is required (for men) it can be presumed that jeans are not allowed"...(though I do agree it would be clearer just to state that: I wonder what happens when a man shows up in jeans but wearing a jacket and tie?) but then I am old-fashioned. I really like my date to dress up when the occaison calls for it, but he is reluctant to do so unless I insist that the restaurant requires it: so then when we go to somewhere like, say, Chez Panisse, or Boulevard, and I see lots of folks in jeans, it sort of ruins my negotating stance! Link: http://www.masas.citysearch.com/ Tue Sep 21 01:03:37 -0700 2004 138571 0 susancinsf 4 138713 Given the near-universal abandonment of dress codes in San Francisco, I don't think it's reasonable to expect people to assume anything. I'll bet they instituted the policy in resonse to Michael Bauer's complaint in his 2001 review: "Unfortunately, some restaurant patrons look as if they came from a $50-a-night hotel. While some look as elegant as the surroundings, others seem content to wear wrinkled Dockers. This dressed-down approach has seeped into every top-tier restaurant, as most places have jettisoned their jackets-required policy." Tue Sep 21 18:03:59 -0700 2004 138607 0 Robert Lauriston 5 138727 hahaha. That MB, he's so nutty. Remember his review of Citizen Cake when he trashed their beautiful, expensive designer chairs as "uncomfortable"? They ended up replacing them with boring wooden chairs that I didn't perceive as being any more comfortable and substantially style-less. CC actually sold the old chairs at firesale prices to the public - I was sad because I liked the old chairs and wished I could have justified buying a set. Just to keep it food-centric - Masa's food is good and worth dressing up for. Citizen Cake has a yummy brunch. Tue Sep 21 18:33:12 -0700 2004 138713 0 Pssst 5 138728 the strangest dress code enforcement I ever saw was at Galatoies in New Orleans. Men needed to wear a coat and tie, and while I was there, a a tourist couple walking around the french quarter wanted to come in. They brought out a coat and tie from the back for him, and his wife sat down wearing a pair of hiking shorts and a t-shirt. Tue Sep 21 18:39:16 -0700 2004 138713 0 Meredith 2 139774 We went to Masa's last night. It was good, I agree though that dessert was the best course of the meal. The amuse were sufficient but nothing extraordinary. I think the rest of the food was not creative but very solid. Maybe this is apples and oranges, but if you're going for creative (and it's even cheaper) then I would recommend Danko. If you're going for more classic (I don't think Danko would ever serve brussel sprouts or broccoli) and solid /simple flavor, then Masa's. The butternut squash was probably our favorite, the risotto was great but not anything extraordinary, the skate was pan fried as was the cod, which I don't like but my gf likes a crust on her fish. I think it hides the flavor of the fish though...If i went back, I would get the cod because of the salt...The maine crab salad wasn't special but again solid. THE BUTTERMILK BEIGNETs rocked the casbah, my gf had the chocolate pear which I just didn't care for...but she loved...and the little desserty items at the end were over the top, we had the chili/chocolate, lemon caramel and gelee's, outstanding !! BUT danko gives you that cupcake thing that is always just the perfect breakfast for the next morning and such sweet gentle reminder of why you fork out around $200 for a dinner...its the little things I say :) My dessert also came with a passion fruit sorbet on something that was outstanding and a shot glass with some sort of tangerine heavenly light and fluffy whip creamish and a tangerine ?? granita on top...i can't begin to describe heaven but this would be close, its making my mouth moist just thinking about it...or that could be the squash, who knows.... I like the options that you get at Danko, the menu is much more readable and you can enjoy the same items whether you are having 4,5 or however many courses. Also, the vegetarian menu and selections are not listed on the Masa's menu (and they are at danko), and overall the menu was not very readable or user friendly... Also, if you're a cheese fan- Danko is your best option and dont' bother with dessert. If you're more of a dessert fan, then Masa's is for you...Again, it's probably apple and oranges... I would take my parents to Masa's, I would personally though (unless I was having a hankering for dessert) go to Danko....and i have seen people in very casual clothing at danko.... PS a-hole bar patrons at Masa's were very pinched, too much plastic surgery had apparently not witnessed two (somewhat butch) girls holding hands before..Never had that happen in SF before but at least the staff was friendly...Also the fact that Masa's is part of that somewhat scary (almost trendy but not quite there) hotel is weird for me...maybe i just couldn't get the hotel/bad food restaurant association out of my mind?? Fri Oct 01 12:42:11 -0700 2004 138426 0 bandit