Let me start by saying I can see why this is one of the most popular restaurants to come to during HRW. One of the best deals you can get and the $45 per person, 3 course meal is an excellent introduction into what Masraff's offers. The place is gorgeous! When you walk through the doors, you're immediately overwhelmed by all the modern decor. You're greeted by the hostesses when you walk in and they do their job just fine. I've read some past reviews where snobby hostess have left a bad taste in some reviewers dining experience and that was not the case. Sure they were monotonous, but they got the job done. It was a little annoying that we've had to wait 15-20 extra minutes after our reservation time until we were actually sat at a table, but it's understandable. Many people don't understand all the behind the scenes work that goes into a restaurant and restaurants can only control so much so I'll give them a pass. Now on to the good stuff. When you are seated, the waiters bring over a bread basket with a variety of bread, the most amazing butter I've ever had at a restaurant, and a small serving of olives. Nice way to start your meal. Then one of the servers came over to take our drink orders. I wasn't really planning on drinking because we were going to a bar after dinner, but I'm kind of glad our server was extremely pushy with the drink menu. Wouldn't have gotten a chance to try this fruit infused cocktail or Vodka drink that was amazing. I don't particularly remember what it was, but it was $10 or $12 dollars and you should definitely try it. Another server came over as our main server for the night and she was wonderfully pleasant even if she was a little slow. We had some questions regarding the menu and she never really explained much if anything. Majority of her answers were either how fresh they get their produce and supplies or how other patrons like to order this over something else. It was nice knowing that, but how is the food prepared? What is this particular ingredient? Masraff's has an inventive menu and casual dinners/foodies probably won't know all the the nontraditional ingredients that they use. This was a trend throughout the dinning experience, but it didn't kill the dining experience. Just little things that the staff could work on to make the dinning experience less confusing for the staff. We didn't really know how most of the dishes were prepared, but our leap of faith worked out well for us. For the first course, just get the Calamari app. Oyster mushrooms, onions, a cilantro sweet soy reduction, and the most tender calamari ever prepared? Absolutely genius. Easily my favorite item that I've gotten to eat that night. The boyfriend got the ahi tuna tar tar and it was good, but meh compared to the calamari. We usually get different things on the menu so we can try a greater variety, but do yourself a favor and just order the calamari. Done. 5/5 As for the main course, I got the lamb rack while he ordered the Halibut. The lamb that they use is never frozen and you can really taste the difference. So tender and juicy, but beside the vinaigrette that was on the dish, everything was a tad bit bland. Not sure if they forgot to season it with salt or if it was another mishap, but it didn't make the dish to heavy as I expected when the dish came out. 4/5 The halibut on the other hand was a perfectly balanced dish. The halibut was a little overcooked, but that was my only gripe. It was a beautiful, meaty white fish. They didn't do much to the fish itself, so the flavors of the fish really stands out. The mushroom risotto and butter asparagus in the foie gras beurre blanc adds some fat and heaviness that compliments the halibut well. The contrast in light fish and the heavier sides were delectable and I could see the direction the chef was going in. 5/5 My expectations were probably a little unwarranted, but the desserts didn't blow me away. It was good, but with how interesting the first and second course were, I expected more. I got the trio of creme brulee and it was good. Nothing special, but it was a good dessert to end the meal on. The BF got their interpretation on a chocolate lava cake and you can't go wrong with chocolate. Surprisingly the almond tuile was the consensus as the best thing on either dessert. Crispy and flaky, but it holds itself together really well. It tasted kind of citrusy with almonds. Never thought a combo like that would be as great as it is, but I'm glad they included that on the chocolate lava cake. 3.5/5 Overall it was a great dinning experience and I would definitely recommend it to all of my friends. There were a few hiccups here and there, but at $45 per person for this month, it more than makes up for it. The manager(?) and some of the staff gathered in a huddle arguing near our table at one point. I overheard they were short on people that evening so that might explain some mishaps and why service was slow. Still, I can't wait to come back! read more

The seafood at Masraff's is the best in the city. Everything shouts "fresh" at this restaurant including the wonderful salads and daily vegetable offerings. Further, the service staff is top notch with servers that truly care about the quality of your dining experience. I love this place for clients, friends and family gatherings. The value is also a key...top quality at reasonable prices. Excellent wine list!!! read more

Many years ago, my husband & I were broke college students who were celebrating our first wedding anniversary. We scrapped enough money for a special evening and made a reservation. When we got to the restaurant, we were told that they were closed for a holiday party and were apologetic that they failed to notify us. Upon seeing our disappointed faces, the younger owner (don't remember his name) asked us to wait and disappeared to the back. A few minutes later, he showed us to a small table that he had set up on the side and had a waiter spend the entire evening waiting on just our table. I don't remember what we ate that night, because my husband had eyes only for each other. This happened many years ago at the old location, but we always remembered Mr. Masraff's kindness and how he went out of his way to make our evening special. Over the years, this has become our favorite "special occasion" restaurant and always recommend this place to our friends. I highly recommend the Foie Gras, Grilled Calamari and Diver Scallops. read more

My very favorite restaurant. I came across this restaurant during Houston restaurant week a long time ago. Ever since that experience, I've been hooked. I no longer live in Houston but boy have they made a lasting impression on me. I always crave their scallops and calamari. The ribeye is also out of this world. I've never had better service from anywhere in my life. They are incredibly attentive and pay attention to every little detail. Their drink selection is outstanding and the staff is very knowledgeable. The owners are always there and come around to each table to make sure you're having an enjoyable experience. That is such a great touch. Now that I live in DC I'm making excuses to come back to Houston just so I can come back to Masraff's. Worth every penny! read more

Excellent food, service, and wine. Eat there with frequency and NEVER had a bad experience. If you find yourself in the Gallaria area a meal time....make it a stop! read more

Have eaten here numerous times. Lunch or dinner, it has been a great experience. Russell and Tony are always there to make sure the meal is going as planned. Great new atmosphere definitely gives it a boost up over most others. read more

I visited Masraff's at about 7pm on a Tuesday and it was brimming with patrons, a good sign. The service and atmosphere were excellent and my salad along with the wild mushroom ravioli couldn't have been tastier. For my entrée I ordered the filet mignon medium-rare and it was succulent and delicious. The dessert I ordered which was the chocolate fondant was decent but nothing spectacular. For $8 however I wasn't getting too ripped-off and the prices generally are fair for such fine dining. An excellent meal for an occasional wallet splash that certainly is as good, if not better then anything else one can find in Houston. read more

My wife and I went to Masraff's at their new location for a drink and nosh before dinner across the street at RDG Bar Annie. What a contrast! Masraff's was a delight. The understated decor, great and friendly service (Peter at the bar), and delicious lamb chop lollipops. . . everything was pitch perfect. And the owner came over and said hi while we were having drinks in the bar. And the bar is reminiscent of the old square bar at Birra Poretti's on West Grey, a fairly epic bar in Houston lore. The owner is on site and walking around making sure things are going right. That's a restaurant. I'll be back there soon; it'll be a long, long while before I give RDG Bar Annie another chance. read more

Be sure to get here early during their lunch service because it could get really crowded. I have been to Masraff's like 8 times during their lunch. Their food could be inconsistent at times and maybe the cooks in the kitchen could be different. My first time here was great, but as time goes on, the food seems to be more bland every time I come here. Don;t get me wrong they are still ok for a quick decent lunch in the galleria area. Go here if you want decent seafood and you are in the galleria area and you don't mind paying 100$+ for 2. But don't expect to get blown away read more

FOOD: I ordered a tuna and my friends had a rib-eye steak and lamb racks. The dishes all came out looking great. My tuna was good, but the fish itself came out merely warm when the mashed potatoes underneath the fish was hot. The rib-eye was under-cooked. Came out barely medium rare when it was ordered to be medium. The steak was rather flavorless, although the side dish, stuffed potato, was a surprise. The lamb was decent. Food was overall OK, though below standard considering how much they charge. SERVICE: Service was terrible. Our server was not attentive. The moment he found out we were not ordering wine his face turned dark. He kept leaning against the empty chair like an ill-mannered teenager while he was talking to us the whole evening. When he was not talking to us he was leaning against the wall. Throughout the meal he only came over to check on us once, again with leaning his body against the empty chair for one second without even saying anything then walked away. Not one time did we ever see a smile on this server's face. The busboys were surprisingly efficient and well-trained. There was a fly coming out of the bread basket when we were eating. After being addressed to the issue, the manager simply asked the waiter to get a another bread basket and walked away. No apology or even a simple explanation. Eventually an older man with silver hair in a nice suit, who I assume is the owner came over and asked nicely how the meal was. We addressed to him that my friend's rib-eye steak came out barely medium rare when she ordered medium (although we were already half way through the meal). He apologized and quickly fixed the steak for us. Servers felt neglectfully selected and under-trained. Most of the time they were just standing around chatting and leaning against the wall. A man who I assume to be one of the managers (because he was wearing a different suit) broke the cork while trying to open a bottle of wine in front of the customers at the table. The aforementioned old man in the nice suit came to the rescue with a filter and a decanter. ENVIRONMENT: One can tell that the owner originally invested a lot of money on construction and decor. It was supposed to be stylish and upscale - that was before somebody decided to squeeze so many tables into two major dinning rooms. The tables were so close to each other that one can hardly walk through without turning. This also created the problem of noise. It was quite loud for a fine dinning restaurant, although most dinners there were well-dressed and well mannered professionals. It's just too crowed. PERIPHERALS: Valet parking guys looked scary. They looked like guys coming straight out of the ghetto to park your car. I'm not talking about race here. It's the body language and basic manners that raised the concern. One cannot deny that it is a big concern when you give your car to a complete stranger. I'm not sure if they were trained by the restaurant or valet parking itself is sub-contracted out, but customers would have a better experience if their cars are parked by men with good manners and a smile on the faces. CONCLUSION: The restaurant has potentials to be a great one. The hardware is there. But the management needs to pay better attention to details. Also the vision of the owner or the managers seems misdirected. If maximizing profit is the only headline they should turn it into a TGI Friday. An upscale restaurant on this level should not sacrifice important qualities such as atmosphere and comfort so it can make put a few more tables in. Service must be improved. Until they figure out their identity and direction clearly they will always be a sub-par overcharging restaurant. read more

We were looking forward to our dinner at Masraff's. We arrived and were delighted to find out we had made reservations for the last night of HRW. We decided to go with the HRW menu and were blown away. Simply put, it was the best meal we have ever had. Beyond that, the serves was outstanding. We will definitely be returning to Masraff's in the future. If your in Houston, don't miss it. read more

The first thing I thought when I entered this restaurant was that it seemed to be unique in terms of decoration. It was stylish, yet plain! I was highly impressed by the great service. It was quick and discreet. The bathroom was very clean and that was very important for me and the dishes were delicious and had amazing combinations. I would really love to meet that chef! read more

I love the friendly service that comes with this place. Upscale and non-pretentious. Our waitress was super friendly and understanding. Food was good, variety of interesting selections to choose from the menu. 4 stars for the food and 5 stars for the service. Keep up the good work and we'll definitely come back for more. read more

Came here for Houston restaurant weeks. Food was really good and it's a great atmosphere for a nice date.

Came here a few times already. I love the food here. Our server last time was great and explained even the menu to us. Portions are good and staff is great. I would recommend just calling to make reservations here especially on weekends. read more

Everything about our experience was perfect. A well crafted cocktail at the bar. The waiter who was professional, knew every aspect of the menu, and able to answer questions and make recommendations quickly and confidently. The food was wonderful and tasted as good as it looked. It is expensive but all worth what you pay for. read more

I went with a group of girlfriends for restaurant week. It was excellent. The service and atmosphere are top notch.

The scallops with carrot sauce was the best! But the have an excellent choice if you like that kind of thing which I do. Marsraff's has an excellent choice of taste for everyone If you like wine - they have an excellent selection. A must visit! read more

Loved this place! The service was amazing and the food was delish! We celebrated our wedding anniversary and had a complimentary dessert which was yummy! Even got to meet the owner ! What a special night ! Will be back! read more

Best risotto in town! Just a treat to have SUPER service in an upscale, yet comfortable setting --- could stay for hours, and HAVE. love it! read more

Thugs restaurant is fantastic! Definitely one of the best in Houston. We went for HRW and the menu is amazing. So good and the service is impeccable. Definitely GO! read more

Food sucks . I got food poising here. I wish I could give them zero star . The management was so bad as well

Amazing service and amazing food big thanks to Ryan he made our experience so special

It is so nice place! The atmosphere is really good and the service iw perfect as well. The food tastes great. It is a special place to match a special occasion. read more

My hubby and I decided to come here for dinner based on the excellent reviews on Yelp and a couple of recommendations from friends/family. So we had dinner reservations to celebrate Valentine's Day. We arrived there and the valet guy opened the door for us although we didn't partake in the valet services. There is plenty of parking in the shopping center so no need for that. Upon entering, we were escorted to a dining room off to the left. As soon as they lead us to our "table," which was 3 feet away from the door, a feeling of trepidation and disappointment started to sink in. The room was average size but we were packed in like sardines along with 6 other couples on one side of the room. The table we sat at was about 2.5 feet in diameter, super small. The distance between us and the couples next to us was approximately 1.5 feet away. I was craving seafood but didn't want to feel like one ( sardines stuffed in a tin can). Our waiter came by to greet us immediately and started the small chit chat. I stated this was our first time- he either didn't hear or was too busy. After we ordered a drink, they brought a small basket of bread (focaccia, sourdough, & another) with a small cylinder shaped butter and a small round container of olives. Bread were ok, olives salty, nothing special. Waiter asked for our order so we ordered the calamari, lobster roll, coffee rubbed filet, creme caramel and meringue glacée. The appetizer came out quickly - I was looking forward to trying the calamari since lots of Yelpers loved it. It was just ok- 4 to 5 chunks of calamari in a sweet sauce with mushroom. The calamari is not crunchy and just tasted ok. To be honest, it didn't even taste like squid but more dense like abalone but it wasn't. The lobster roll was basically 2 egg rolls cut into 2 with vegetables ( carrots/cabbage) and tiny pieces of lobster inside. I did like the sauce that the lobster roll was in. On to the filet which came out too quickly. Can it be that they are trying to get us in and out ASAP to stack more people in? Me thinks so. So here comes the filet- the pros are that the filet was very tender and it was a good size ( 8 oz or larger). The cons about the coffee rubbed filet entree: 1. Filet was tasteless- no flavor- without dipping in the dark sauce- it was utterly tasteless 2. The coffee rubbed filet - how to describe? Imagine someone sprinkling very finely ground coffee grinds onto not only your filet but around the whole plate- every tried pouring some cinnamon down your throat? It is similar to that but the coffee granules are bigger 3. Mushroom risotto - definitely didn't taste like any risotto I ever ate. My husband is Italian and he said that wasn't risotto. It was so soft almost like over cooked rice. I think my parents would love it- it was so soft, it didn't require much chewing. 4. The dish came with two baby carrots - that was good. Gotta have my vegetables. 5. The filet was barely warm- which is a carnivore's sin. It's like getting cold fries or cold pizza when you pick it up from the drive thru. Not good. Desserts- was alright. Creme caramel- what is it? Not a flan but looks like a flan. Not creme brûlée because it doesn't have that egg custard taste. More like a cheesecake flan like item. It was small and came with a heart shaped cookie. It was alright. Now the meringue glacee- I didn't like anything except the very small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Service- it was passable. I felt like they were rushing us. We had a 6:45 reservation and finished and exited at 7:42. And trust me when I say we are not those guys that can eat 100 hotdogs in 30 minutes- no competetive eating contest here. I wanted some slices of lemons with my water. I had asked for it right before we got appetizers, right after appetizers and again midway through my entree. The waiter did apologize for his forgetfulness and brought me lemons right as I was getting my dessert. Nothing like iced lemony water with my dessert. Also, all the ladies received a single red rose after the couple paid the bill. But after my hubby paid the bill- guess what? Maybe they ran out of roses? Nope- there was a large pot that had the roses there right outside our dining room close to the hostess stand. Guess the roses were like the lemons? Hard to get? After we left, another couple exited after us and I saw she had a rose. I really don't care to get a rose but if that is what you are offering for each of your female guests, then do it for everyone. It is like the Musketeers - all for one and one for all. Sorry for such a lengthy review but I wanted to give a detailed description of our dining experience since I rely on other people's reviews when choosing a restaurant. To say that I was disappointed is an understatement. For $65 per person and all the hype, I expected better service and food. We will not be coming back. I will have to say that some guy did come by and ask if everything was ok. & yes it is just ok. read more

We love this place. The food is interning and delicious and the service is impeccable. Had dinner there last weekend and every time we go. I think "why don't we get here more often. read more

Very disappointing. I wanted to try this place because the reviews on this place were good and the stars on yelp were high. The food was bad and I ended up getting food poisoning. I got the sea bass and it made me so sick. I wish I could give this place a zero star review. read more

Went here for Houston Restaurant Week last night. The ambiance was really nice and not crowded at all. The three of us ordered the best three items on the first course. Lump Crab Tower, Bacon Wrapped Quail, and Calamari. My friend asked the server what kind of crab the jumbo meat was from... the server answered "Jumbo Lump Crab"... I chuckled because that's not a type of crab.. that's the meat of the crab. but anyways, the Crab Tower was probably the most tastiest out of all the appetizers. I also ordered off the regular menu: the Oyster Trio... DON'T DO IT. They looked so good and I ate 2 of 3 but when I got to the 3rd, I literally threw up in my napkin. The oyster was rotten.. disgusting. It smelled/tasted like the dirty sewage side of the ocean. How do I know this? I worked in the seafood industry, and there's plenty of times I had to throw nasty waste away. And it wasn't like salty ocean water that people naturally like in oysters.. it was literally not edible whatsoever. BUT maybe it was just that one oyster? The rest of them were good though. To the entrees, we all ordered the lamb chops... They were delicious. They were presented like the prime rib of a lamb chop. Cooked to perfection then sliced. Other places normally have them chopped first then cooked but I really liked them here. Super tender, perfect med-rare and full of flavor. To desserts.. they were okay. We had the chocolate eruption (like a small brownie and ice cream), the hot mini donuts (tiny cinnamon beignets), and the boozy milkshake (didn't try it). We also ordered off the regular dessert menu and got the butterscotch bread pudding (not a fan.. the bread pudding was not fluffy/soft and the flavor was mediocre). The service was alright. He gave us what we needed but he didn't know how to speak about much. Our table has worked in the restaurant industry and we expect our servers to be knowledgeable about the food and wine. "yeah that's good.. and that's good too" doesn't really impress us. I would probably be back for those lamb chops though. read more

It didn't meet our expectations. We went there for a Valentine's day dinner. It was like going to Pf Changs except with fine dining prices. The service was not refined nor was the food. We had reservations and were asked to sit at the bar until a table came up so we ordered some drinks. I had a bottle of Perrier and my date had a cocktail but when someone came to take us to our table, we were told in a rude manner that we wouldn't be able to transfer our tab. My waiter forgot to transfer my Perrier bottle to the table and didn't refill my water. The food tasted like a lean cuisine frozen tray. It was not fine dining by any means. We expressed our opinions to the owner when he came to check on us. He apologized and was nice but said that no one ever complained about the plates we got. I wish we could start a yelp list of overrated restaurants. This would make the list for sure. read more

A wonderful Houston restaurant located beside a strip mall, Masraff's has an ambiance that is a couple notches ahead of the Capital Grille-like places. Servers are attentive and knowledgeable. Bread and butter service was reasonable. Cocktails were varied and the gin inspired drinks were above average. The crab cakes appetizer was good, but not amazing (for example in specialty restaurants found in Baltimore or Boston). The main course, sea bass, was amazing and perfectly done. Wonderful presentation, correct seasoning and sauce with appropriate accompaniments. The dessert was a unique twist on apple pie and worth trying. Although the apple "twists" were cooked al dente, I found this degree of cooking a bit too firm for the dish. The wine list was solid with plentiful options by the glass. The ambiance requires a business casual dress and make reservations as it was quite busy. Enjoy Houston and enjoy Masraff's! read more

I ordered the Pan Roasted Chicken Breast, Pomodoro Israeli Couscous, Baby Spinach with Petite Heirloom Tomato Salad with Aged Balsamic. I did not want the Couscous so I asked if they would substitute the Petite Arugula Salad in Citrus Vinaigrette in place of the Couscous. The waiter was annoyed with my request and became agitated but said he "would see". Finally when we received our dinner quite a bit later I found my request was granted but there was no more than one tablespoon size of the Petite Arugula Salad in Citrus Vinaigrette on my plate. I asked the waiter "was that all of the salad I get" and the waiter replied "yes". To begin with the chicken I ordered - It looked good but was totally rubbery and tough in the middle and crispy on the edges and did not taste good at all. We had arrived at 7:30 and by the time we got served it was after 9:00 pm and I was starving so by that point and time I would have eaten just about anything. I had their peach iced tea with dinner (from a bottle no less) and followed up after dinner with coffee which was little to be desired. It was horrible! My dinner mate had one mixed drink along with her order and a coffee after dinner as well. We did not order a dessert. To our surprise our bill was over $120; and that didn't even include the tip!!! I can guarantee there are a whole lot more restaurants in the Houston area to eat at that have much better service and with better food for far less than $120.00!!! I do not ever plan to grace this horrible restaurant with my presence again. Horrible service, very overpriced and horrible food for what "tiny bit" you get served on your plate! Plus the Valets (who were not paying attention and horse playing) we had to stand and wait and call out to them to have our vehicle retrieved and there was no one else out there around to be helped. Totally disgusted! read more

For the price and reputation I thought this place would have good food and cater to all diets. Unfortunately, if you are a vegetarian go elsewhere. I attended a local conference here and they served a four course menu. They gave a lame grilled vegetable plate for the main course. Could have gotten a better meal at a single $ restaurant. read more

Went to Houston for a work and play weekend. Masraff's was recommended as one of the best in Houston. I certainly did not disappoint. The wine menu is extensive and has price points for all types of connoisseurs. The calamari is the best I have ever had. I also had the tuna which is the best tuna dish that I have tried. The dinner was enhanced by a nice conversation with the owner. Definately one of the best in Houston. read more

Wow is the best word to describe this experience!! The staff was Amazing! From the hostess, to Claidiu our great waiter, to Mike the manager! The food, my fiancé got the steak and she said it was real good but not amazing so I'm thinking they're specialty is the seafood because my sea bass was literally melting on my tastebuds!! It was probably in my top 5 all time dishes. But guess what, that wasn't even the best part!! The desert : I had the good fortune of ordering the single greatest desert I have ever tasted!! It was the lemon meringue cheesecake. The lemon doesn't taste like lemon, the meringue isn't typical meringue and the cheesecake isn't the texture you'd expect but my friends , when you take a bite of this wonder you will feel ecstasy throughout your body!! I'm going back for my wedding party and I can't wait to have it again!! Quick criticism if I may; my fiancé had the pear creme brûlée, needed much creme brûlée, felt like too much pear not enough creme b. read more

Worked so hard to get a reservation while in Houston this December. During the holidays this place apparently gets slammed and I was unable to secure a slot until Monday night before returning home to Miami the next day. I am so glad that I did. The restaurant itself is rather large and tastefully decorated in a non-trendy style (which I can really appreciate). The service -as usual in Texas- was amazing times ten. Our waiter was funny and helpful with his suggestions. I ordered the lamb which was really good, although I kinda wish I would've ordered it medium instead of medium- rare, which is how I prefer my steak. SPEAKING OF STEAKS, my best friend ordered the filet mignon and I had major food envy because *that* was incredible. The mashed potatoes were good, as well as the calamari, crab cake, and a creamy soup that I don't recall what it was but will venture to say it was pumpkin or squash. In essence, beautiful place with great food and ambience for miles. Worth every penny of our $400 bill. Good times, and rock n' roll, homies. read more

this is one of my favorite restaurants. the service is always impeccable. i love their calamari and rack of lamb. i also love the owner greeting each table, which gives it a personal touch. i will definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for a good food and good service read more

Pretty good experience here. We started off with the wild mushroom ravioli which was succulent. The dough was rolled very thin so you could get all the flavor of the sauce and mushrooms, not the big doughy kind you find deep-fried at olive garden. Dinner was outstanding, wifey got the sea bass and I got the filet mignon. The fish was cooked perfectly with a sweet crust and all the accompaniments rounded the dish out perfectly. My filet, damn, my filet.... I never thought it'd be so hard to get a steak with a good crust on in it Houston, but I found it here. Crunchy crust on the outside wrapped around buttery tender meat. So why not five stars? Although the desserts were good, they did not amaze. Not to say they weren't a good end to the meal, but I kind of expected more after the amazing dinner. We got the roasted pear creme brulee and the bread pudding. Both done well, but not the best of either that I've had. Overall a great dinner and I'm glad wifey and I chose this for our date night. read more

What a terrific HRW dinner last night at Masraff's. Seared Diver Scallops with Sushi grade Hawaiian Tuna & Shrimp risotto side, a perfectly cooked Fillet Mignon with asp and side bacon infused Mac&Cheese, Calamari with mushrooms, app, two outstanding desserts all paired with a bottle of HWR special, Sonoma Pinot Noir ($50). The highlight, a visit to the table by owner Russell Masraff! It just doesn't get better than this. Encourage anyone that hasn't visited Masraff to go! read more

Valet parking in a strip mall? I hate really bad xylophone jazz. It takes away from the ambience. The bar scene here involves old men hitting on cougars. Gripes aside, the food is pretty good. Complemented with citrus and truffle oil, the mushroom ravioli was well seasoned and flavorful. In addition, the pasta was freshly made, always a plus. The garlic seared calamari wasn't bad either. It was refreshing to see it cooked in a way that didn't involve deep frying while preserving texture. I'm a fan of sweet and savory in my appetizers. The calimari and ravioli definitely whet your appetite. The sea bass was a tiny bit overcooked, but it was flavorful and the accoutrement that accompanied it were appropriate except the mushrooms. The pear creme brulee and the fondant were excellent. The berry bread pudding could have used some work. It was missing the richness and warmth needed. It needed some coriander or more cinnamon. Service was decent. Food 4 stars, 0.5 stars for service, -0.5 for bad ambience read more

I never thought I would write a bad review for this place but ... It's about to happen. We went last night for Valentine's Day! I am writing this review to tell you that I don't think they were successful in their execution for such a romantic evening. Let's start with our table location. We had reservations over two weeks in advance and do you know where we got seated? In the bar, along the main traffic path between the bar area and the pick up location for waiter drinks. In fact, when they spilled a tray of who knows what, glass fell under our table and thank goodness we didn't catch any liquids. This was not a good table. Next the temperature was way too low. I know that's a strategy but it's Valentine's Day and girls are going to dress up. Not only did I complain but some other guest actuAlly got up and tried to change the thermostat! That should not happen when you are paying $75/person! As for the wine, the special sommelier selection was awful. We actually left it on the table. There went my trust in that option ever. Granted we picked one of the cheaper bottles on that list but you would think the whole selection would be premier wine. Absolutely not... On to the food - the calamari as always was good. The risotto nice texture, not too much cream. They even let us swap out a dessert for an appetizer which made my night until they brought our entrees out. The lamb which is usually amazing was cold - did they just take it out of the fridge? We returned it and they brought out the same piece of meat which they either seared or microwaved so now it wasn't medium rare as we wanted it. The halibut was pretty good. A little dry, a nice little sauce on top (like the jalapeño reduction it was suppose to come with would have been nice) but overall good. I did got upset because my hash had red bell peppers. I HATE red bell peppers. No where on the menu did they say it came with red bell peppers! You can see how they quickly lost their points in my book between the cold lamb and the bell peppers. Thank goodness I don't care too much about dessert although I wouldn't recommend it. Molten cakes should have chocolate coming out of them when you cut into the middle...this one didn't...probably because it sat out too long. Our waiter was very nice. I liked him... Again I love this restaurant and always have a decent experience. Last night was an exception but I have to talk about it so you know not to go there for Valentine's Day. read more