Perfection start to finish! Every course was amazing, not a single complaint! And I'm gluten free, so that's saying a lot that they can still turn it out so well! My hubs and I were really impressed! We love going to Michelen restaurants and this one is one is not to miss! Ties for the #1 spot in our book! Service was amazing, drinks were delicious, ambiance was cozy, vibey, romantic. Loved every minute! read more

After months of anticipation we just had dinner here and I have to say our party of 4 did not feel the meal lived up to our expectations. The service was impeccable but the food left us all desiring more. The bookends of the bread plate and the dessert were by far the highlights of the evening for everyone. Everything in between was nowhere near the deliciousness we expected and average at best. The lamb dish came out borderline bloody and no one even asked how we wanted it cooked. The turbot had about a dozen small bones in it and was not flavored at all. The gnocchi was undercooked and over-creamed. Finally, the pecans on the cheese plate came out burned. I don't know about you but even the words burned nuts makes me grimace! The cocktails were good and the one with the prosecco, vodka, and SORBET was a standout. The service bumped our experience back up to a 3 star. Our waiter did a great job and tried to make things better by taking the bloody lamb back and quickly replacing it with the gnocchi. Unfortunately, the gnocchi came out undercooked as well so that was just a theme for one of us. At the end we contemplated saying something and ultimately decided it was better to inform management right then rather than write a scathing Yelp review while we downed something to fill our empty bellies at home. We finally ended up asking our waiter to speak to a manager and David came by a few minutes later. He patiently listened to everyone's experience and ended up exceeding our expectations to make things right and invite us back to try Masseria out one more time. He really went above and beyond by taking our feedback and promising to address our concerns. Ended up leaving utterly disappointed and hungry. But glad to know there are establishments out there that still value customer service. read more

Masseria - Spicy linguine (not really spicy at all but decent). - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We popped in for the "aperitivo experience" thinking that it would be a nice start to the evening with some small bites + drinks before we went elsewhere for dinner (aside: I'm not sure what the point of the "aperitivo experience" is? Like is it just a $200 happy hour?) Firm meh. Aperitivos are served in the courtyard, which.. definitely has lost some of its luster from the restaurant's promotional photos. It appeared dingy, and the furniture could use a good dusting off/cleaning. I understand that it's patio furniture, but everything had a decent layer of grime that had settled on it, which doesn't exactly vibe with the "casual elegance" that they require for attire (I don't want any of that on my clothes..). When we arrived, we walked through the courtyard to the host's stand and waited a while before we were acknowledged. There were wait staff milling about, and it just felt really awkward that no one even told us that the "host would return momentarily," so we just kind of stood there. Eventually we were seated in the courtyard, which was pleasant with nice weather, but BRING BUG SPRAY. You would think that the restaurant would treat this area for mosquitoes, but nope, seems the mosquitoes created quite the little nest/habitat in the planters that adorn the area. Awesome. Service was friendly, and we enjoyed chatting with the waiter. Bites were small, though--even for appetizers. Literally 8 pieces for the "experience"; drink pairings were extra, and didn't really make sense with/complement the aperitivo menu, though they were generously sized for what you got. I just wasn't a fan and should've picked something directly off of the drinks menu. I did appreciate that the experience was leisurely, and I didn't feel rushed at all. I would've preferred clarification re: the 23% service charge on the bill, though. My husband and I assumed that was a gratuity (perhaps divided among the entire staff as is typical during COVID), but there was still a "tip" line on the check.. other restaurants (e.g., RPM) have no problem denoting an added percentage as a "COVID surcharge," which at least eliminates confusion/so that you don't stiff the waiter. TLDR: the whole vibe is a little pretentious; pass on the aperitivo experience--maybe this place is better for the full dinner experience. I wasn't a fan of the "drink pairings." read more

Came on a Friday night with a larger group. Service at the restaurant was top notch and the food was even better. We had the six-course menu and everything we had was fantastic. I have a food allergy and the kitchen was able to make me a substitution for anything that I couldn't have and the staff always made sure to indicate what I could have, and what they were providing me in substitution for another dish. Favorites were the goat six ways and the beef tartare in the second course. read more

Didn't meet our expectations!!! The food was not high quality as expected. Also, the staff came around a few times to promote some additional food & drinks for extra charges which we end up buying it. Kind like in a cruise ship were they try to sell additional packages. This was disappointing since the dinner courses was very expensive. The wine pairing was expensive too. The pairing was awkward and the wine was not even half glass full. I was told that they would surprise us with chocolate and a birthday song. This never happened and when I asked the they didn't seems to care. read more

I'm kind of torn with my review and really want to give more stars for service & ambience. I desperately wanted to be wowed and love this restaurant! We booked the chef's table last night and it is literally a table in the kitchen at the end of the dining room. Great view of the chef's cooking & the restaurant is very cool. Beautiful ambience at the entrance with a great lounge area with couches, fire pits (& heaters in the winter). Service was impeccable. At the chef's table - you get whatever the chef decides to make and we had approximately 11 dishes, starting with bread and ending with chocolates. I really enjoyed four of those (burrata, "foiennoli," truffle risotto and wagyu steak). I can't say the food was bad - just expected so much more. The lobster with tripe was probably my least favorite - the lobster was too fishy. I would go back to try the tasting menu in the main dining room, however, I have so many others to try on my list I won't be running back. read more

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Fantastic food and atmosphere. Each plate is presented as artwork. Attentive service with a lovely gift bag at the end. They made our anniversary very special. read more

Come out of curiosity about the Michelin-starred restaurant hidden behind the wooden wall and gated door outside of Union Market, but stay for the undeniable creativity of the six-course tasting menu. Owner and Chef Nicholas Stefanelli's southeastern Italian ancestral roots are evident in his traditionally inspired creations; however, his food is by no means limited to this region as he takes inspiration from the rich culinary heritage woven in the dishes throughout Italy. The staff at Masseria offers the diner the warmth and hospitality of the Italian southern coastal region and the décor exudes an understated elegance and charm of an Italian countryside farmhouse. Masseria provides a courtyard experience with low couches and fire pits for the Aperitive or Dolce menu, a Pergola with a retractable roof for dining under the summer stars, and an interior space called Sala, which is an open kitchen concept for indoor dining. To indulge your palate in a wide range of sensations and unusual combinations, try the tasting menu with the wine pairing and you will finish your evening satiated and anticipating your next booking. read more

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I finally made it to Masseria! I'd been eying this place for a while- before the Michelin star! The first impression as I walked in was that the decoration style reminded me of a place in Tulum, Mexico, which I love. The front outdoor seating area is so nicely set up, but when you go inside it's a little awkward to walk past all the diners to get to the host stand. Also awkward was waiting in front of a small, cramped door with wait staff going in and out since the table wasn't ready right away. But on to the food! The bread at the beginning was delicious! And never in my life would I imagine squid ink breadsticks (!). You couldn't really taste the squid ink, but they had a cool, black color. The cheese bread and foccacia were great, and the gardinera had these little things called gherkins that looked like mini watermelons, which was cool. Everyone at the table did a four course menu, and what was nice was that you could pick from any section of the menu for three of the dishes, with the fourth being a dessert. So all of us got two pastas and a meat, except for me who got a vegetable. I can't say if there was a unanimous table favorite since everything was so good and each dish had a unique quality to it. While I cannot pick a favorite dinner dish, I can say that for dessert the apple torta was ridiculous how good it was. The cake, the ice cream, the sauce, I could've eaten 10 of them. Ok, maybe 20. Finally, as a nice send off, they gave us little cannolis and cakes with the check. I want to come back when it's nice out to take advantage of the open air dining, but on this cold, November night, I left full, happy, and so glad I finally made it to this Michelin starred restaurant. read more

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Wow! What an amazing carryout meal. We had the. Sea bass branzino, lasagna verde and burrito and each of the three courses was exceptionally flavorful. Even the bread was delicious. At $85 for dinner for two, this is a COVID best buy. We'll be back! read more

Food was amazing, great drinks, and service. Tables were spread out well given COVID requirements, but it was definitely worth it. A great date night out. read more

It is rather good. In particular, they served an oyster with burata and golden sevruga caviar that was possibly the single best food item I have ever consumed in DC. However... at $135 pp prefix for food only it is a bit expensive for the experience overall. While I do feel the preparation, creativity, and service is up to a high standard, I personally would rather dine at one of DC's other restaurants for the same amount of money. e.g. Marcels or Sushi Nakazawa. It is a comfortable, hip restaurant with excellent service and provides a diverse and creative menu. It is absolutely worth dining there, but for me personally not a place I would crave going back to. read more

Lovely overpriced restaurant. Ok so this spot is absolutely beautiful. We went around Christmas time and the decor was cozy and made you want to stay. Only problem is that if we stayed, we would've broke the bank! I understand that this is an upscale restaurant, but the cheapest glass of wine was around $17. That is the only reason I am giving this place 4 stars and not 5. read more

Masseria - Patio seating near fire pit - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

(Note: I have not written a review of a restaurant since I first joined Yelp years ago. And to be clear, I am not writing a review of the food, the service staff, or the restaurant itself since I've never actually visited. I am writing a review regarding the $50 credit card charge required to hold a reservation, the initial cancellation attempt I made both via phone and email (and received no response), the subsequent $50 charge I received from the restaurant on my credit card, and two attempts to contact the restaurant (once over the phone and once via email) to challenge this as I had a legitimate and unexpected reason for the cancellation. I made a last-minute reservation the late morning of January 15, to celebrate my husband's birthday and then learned later that afternoon that he had to work late. At 6pm, I logged online to cancel my reservation and the website indicated I needed to call. I called but no one answered the phone. I tried periodically for 30 minutes but still no one ever answered. At 6:29pm, I sent an email to info@masseria-dc.com. I never received a response. Later that evening, I saw that I had a missed call from an unknown number. I did not check the voicemail until around 10pm. It was the restaurant calling to inquire if I was going to show for my reservation. Given that it was then several hours past my reservation, and I had sent an email, I did not return the call. When I saw the charge appear on my credit card statement, I disputed it. I received notification from my credit card company that the charge was indeed going to be processed. I sent the restaurant yet another email explaining my situation and requesting a refund for the $50 charge. I never received a reply. I would understand if I had made the reservation weeks in advance, it was a busy time of year and a total last-minute cancellation, but I made the reservation that same morning and there were several dining slots available. It seems incredibly unreasonable and frankly, a bit dishonest to ignore two emails so that you can charge someone $50 for a cancellation fee. As someone who has long been in or involved in the service and restaurant industry, I would have much rather spent that $50 actually experiencing your restaurant and/or tipping the staff. Instead, it is a shame that now I never will. It is my hope that your customer service response changes upon writing this review. read more

What a phenomenal experience - meal, service and experience. Warning: Masseria is expensive, but I thought it was worth it. Ample parking, but hard to find in the graffiti covered warehouse area of NE. Once inside, the place exudes warmth and charm with the wood and sleek décor. Started off with a a specialty cocktail, all with catchy, fun names as we absorbed the menu. Its all prix fixe - the biggest decision is how much can you hold, 4, 5 or more courses. We opted for 4, which was really 7 or 8 with all of the house add-ons, which are provided but not necessarily shown on the menu. Food. One of the things I really liked was the options. 4 courses means 3 + dessert, which they ask to be last. The other choices can come from any part of the menu - antipasti, or cheese, or entrees or pasta. If you really like one, say pasta, you can double or triple up there. Or if you only want entrees, get them. To start, complimentary rosemary focaccia with a chick pea (falafel like) and herbed cream along with a rich tomato puree. Based on my waiter's suggestions, I tried the veal sweetbreads with escargot - wow, melt in your mouth delicious. Complimentary house made olive bread to soak up all the sauce. Yum! Next was the first of the season, pan-seared soft shell blue fin crab. Moist, succulent, bursting with flavor. Then grilled goat chop, some goat belly and goat tenderloin. All were grilled perfectly at medium rare and served with fresh chickpeas and a delicious sauce. A pre-dessert of sorbet and cream--sorry I forgot all those ingredients. Trust me it was superb. Dessert was a rhubarb with soft and light short cake and sorbet. After dinner house made sweets (sweet fruit gelatin, a meringue and a cacao ball and topped off the meal. Wine. The wine book is 46 pages long, specializing mostly in Italian Reds, but there were ample other choices. Most were affordable very good varietals. Some wines would have to be very special as they hit the high 3-digits before the period. It's real clear a lot of time and effort has gone into the wne selection. Recommend the wine pairings. For $68 it was a bargain to get exceptional wines that so perfectly accompanied the rich and luscious Puglia cuisine. The sommeliers were advanced -Level 3 and just listening to their explanation of the wines, the growing regions, and the flavor profiles was an education in itself. Ambience. The Kitchen is open. I counted 10 chefs working hard to prepare the meals. The service was over the top good. My waiter knew everything there was to know about the meal, the preparation, techniques, ingredients, etc. My water glass was never empty. The moment the level moved, someone was there to fill it to the top again. Attentive service, but never intrusive. The dining room is small - maybe 32 seats and perhaps another 30 outside. The one complaint I have with Masseria is that the interior is very loud. When I am celebrating a special occasion as I was at Masseria, I'd like to have some conversation. However, given the open kitchen, the concrete floors, the amount of servers and waiters moving about, for such a small place, it was all but impossible to talk over the cacophony of sounds. Masseria really needs to invest in some serious noise reduction. Overall, it is worthy of a Michelin Star and it is worthy of a return visit. Tip: Make a reservation weeks ahead. It's a small place and fills quickly. read more

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Truly a perfect experience dining at Masseria. The service was attentive and our waiter as well as the sommelier were engaging and informative as they described the food and wine. The chef came by to say hello as well. We had a perfect view of the open kitchen and watching the action provided a great show. Looking forward to going back in the future. read more

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Love this place for drinks!!! Elegant, romantic atmosphere for date night or girl night out. Call ahead. Get ready to let that money flow! read more

Masseria - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Our expectation was high but ended up with a huge disappointment. We tried chef recommendation full course menu. Each dishes were decorated pretty before served, but then the result was each dishes turned to warm meals and not hot enough when served, and they were not delicious. We knew It was only gesture of the main chef that probably had some pride or something he meant to decorate nicely though, good looking only in picture but bad in taste that It was main minus points. Pasta also wasn't cooked enough, nor close to Al Dente neither - they were just uncooked hard and no flavors, just salty. Pictures looked great on their website and we were so disappointed. Both of meat and fish dishes were little bit too salty and no flavors either, again, just warm and not hot enough, since the leader chef looked like only cared decoration than temperature after each sections cooks were ordered to bring their cooked dishes to him before the waiters finally bring to the table. This process and gesture looked only silly and really meaningless. Deserts were not special either. All of dishes were lack of flavor and wrong temperature that's unprofessional overall. It was really hard to believe how they got 1 Michelin star. We visited many Michelin stars restaurants in our lives at east coast and west coast and never had this disappointment with any of restaurants before. Even non stats restaurant have better quality and flavorful dishes than this place offers. We've been experienced to top class restaurants all over the world ( Paris, Tokyo, NY, CA, Aspen, London, Italy and Spain, etc etc countless cities, you make it ) and this Masseria is not close to 3 stars, nor Michelins level to be honest. Sad to say but probably this place may not last long for years to come if they don't fix the quality level of dishes really, not by gestures only. I gave the hint of temperatures of dishes at least here. I don't know who is the owner or main chef's name really, and I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude or anything but just had to be honest to write this review since I couldn't be quiet what we experienced here. I needed to share with others who must expect high and knows quality dishes before they'd get disappointed like us. Overall this place is obviously overpriced and not worth the price. It was a huge disappointment for us and sad to say but we were already 100% sure when reached the deserts, we will not come back here again to spend this amount. We can't recommend this restaurant to anyone who knows true quality restaurants, especially our experts friends and gourmet eaters. Rather we recommend other quality restaurants that offers better dishes in half the price in DC area. read more

Approaching Masseria shortly after a text from Resy arrived as a reminder of the reservation, a "Pro Tip" to inquire about the off-menu Foienoli part of that message, it was with a bit of confusion that the car navigated past several warehouses before finally coming upon the low-slung building delineated by white neon, parking in abundance and a walk through the front gate immediately transporting guests to someplace else by way of a courtyard like one might expect to see at a Restaurant and Inn in the European Countryside. Named after a farm in the heel of Italy's boot and opened in mid-2015, the first Restaurant from Chef Nick Stefanelli in reality not as remote as streetlights make it seem thanks to the nearby Union Market, Masseria is described as "a celebration of big, harmonious flavors" and having twice received a Michelin Star the first impression one receives on entry is that of warm hospitality, a hostess offering greetings inside the boisterous foyer before leading those with reservations to the main dining room spread out in front of an enormous open kitchen. Packaged as a Prix-Fixe or Tasting Menu only experience, the fully booked sixty seats and sizable menu making this a fairly aggressive approach for a kitchen that sports far less staff than places such as The Dabney, it was shortly after seating that tables were presented with the night's menu and a description of available plates, the start of Truffle season adding supplemental costs to several plates in addition to an appealing Wild Game Tasting. Happy to see Stefanelli working alongside staff in the Kitchen while additionally covering the Pass, a server noting that this was a particularly busy evening thanks to a large party occupying most of the lounge, it was after lengthy discussion that the decision was made to order three 4-course Prix-Fixe plus several supplements, the price apparently a point of contention based in many online reviews but seemingly quite fair considering the quality of both presentations and the ingredients used. Not a place for the hurried, the service professional yet pleasant with plates rolling out at twenty-to-thirty minute intervals that seem to be fixed thanks to the volume and flow of the kitchen, it is with several Canapes that Dinner at Masseria begins, November's selection including Smoked Bread alongside vibrant Tomato Spread and Cheese-filled Doughnuts plus house-pickled Vegetables and Black Sesame Grissini. Taking home numerous awards and accolades from local media in addition to the Red Guide, Stefanelli's style of marrying coastal Italian Cuisine to robust flavors of the country's interior readily apparent from the get-go in plates such as Trippa which places tender slices of Tripe beneath a half-Lobster Tail, it is with good fortune that each Prix Fixe can be composed of as many items from one section as the diner desires, the Kampachi Crudo dressed up in Citrus and snappy Sea Beans available for lighter appetites while others may want to go Pasta from the start with items such as classic Tortellini made far less-so by Cockscomb and Chanterelle Mushroom Puree. Offering complimentary Housemade Bread on request, a smart practice preventing waste but still allowing those who wish to sop up every bit of Sauce a chance, it was as a mid-course that Masseria's "Foienolli" was presented in all its glory, the $10 three-bite Pastry riffing on the rustic sweet with Duck Liver Mousse and Black Truffles every bit as decadent as it sounds and a nice segue into another signature plate featuring fresh-cut Linguini slicked in spicy XO Sauce with plenty of Garlic, Peppers and Bread Crumbs that remain crunchy. Adding $10 for the daily Risotto, one kitchen station seemingly dedicated to just this dish as Chefs continually attended to the pot, those looking for a Gluten-Free option will be happy to know that Masseria's Rice rivals any of the Noodles thanks to Mushrooms and Cream while the seasonal Cappelletti also shines thanks to pureed Squash, Butter and Ricotta. Allowing substitutions from the tasting menu at a supplemental charge of $20 per plate, the price entirely justified for a thick Saddle of Wild Scottish Hare plus Frenched Rack of Ribs atop Chestnut Butter and Dark Chocolate showered with Truffles, it was in Vegetarian plates that others invested their appetites, the Cauliflower a dynamic dish with sweetness from the Raisins and a light minty finish while the Wild Mushrooms were fine, but also redundant in the setting of prior dishes. Cleansing the palate with diced Pears beneath Vanilla Zabaglione and mixed Berry Sorbetto it was after a short break that dishes entitled Mela, Semifreddo and Torta al Cioccolato arrived, the first two fruity and frangrant with the Black Walnut Gelato making the former particularly memorable while the Baked Chocolate Mousse was rich and bitter but nicely balanced by Mascarpone Cream and Caramel. read more

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I visited Masseria for dinner last October and really enjoyed the food! I've been on a quest to dine at all the Michelin star restaurants in the DC area and Masseria certainly did not disappoint. Between the two of us, we ordered: -Linguine (linguini, masseria spicy XO sauce, "aglio, olio, pepperoncino," bread crumbs) -Soglio (Dover Sole, Salsiy, Vanilla, Brown Butter) -Cavatelli (cavatelli, royal trumpet mushrooms rosemary, scamorza) -Crudo (Tuna, Seaweed, Chickpea, Meyer Lemon Cream) -Piccione (Squab, Raddicchio, Plum, Fennel Flowers, Fennel Pollen) -Sobet (of various types) -Cannoli I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant as well, and they have an outdoor patio seating area that is classy and perfect for the warmer months. Do note that Masseria is a bit out of the way of the nearest metro station (Noma) and is not located in the best of areas. It's located in a fairly industrial area in Northeast DC. I would recommend driving or taking a lyft/uber there if possible. Otherwise, it's pretty hard to get to, and I would not recommend walking in that area after dark. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Masseria and do think that it is deserving of its Michelin star! I would certainly return. read more

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Our party of two showed up 10 minutes early and were greeted and seated immediately. As others have noted, we walked through the courtyard lounge directly off the street, past the bar and entered the door on the right to the host station. Pretty confusing if you are looking for a "proper" door to the restaurant. Our server was pleasant and helpful guiding us through the menu. We ordered a glass of wine as we looked over the evening's offerings and decided on a 5 course meal. I won't go over everything that we had, but my favorite of the evening was a halibut with squid ink and light fennel salad. My wife had a soft shell crab that was perfect. Absolutely everything was unexpectedly well prepared and presented. I say this because there are quite a few establishments offering a prix fix or tasting menu that shouldn't and I wasn't sure what we were getting into this evening. Masseria is legit from the freshly prepared ingredients, to the spot-on service with a smile. This kind of experience comes with a price tag that some people are not willing to pay, but we have spent much more for much less of an experience in many other places. The portions are not huge, but our five courses plus bread plate left us in a good place. We were not hungry when we left and we didn't waddle out to our car. We will return. It was tough to choose just five dishes, so we have many more to go. read more

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Masseria ends each visit with a present, so although it has been a week our visit, I am still enjoying the evening. There are now a number of Michelin places to dine in DC. Even in this lofty group, Masseria stands out. When we began our meal, the waiter asked about allergies, eating restrictions and our drink preferences. When we told him about my walnut allergy he was careful to determine if other nuts were a problem too. When we told him I am a pescatarian, he merely inquired if I ate shellfish. The attitude of attention and flexibility made us feel cared for and insured a pleasant evening. The waiter suggested custom cocktails and his advice was spot on. There were no bad plates in our tasting... and we enjoyed the variations provided to accommodate my dietary restrictions. For example, in one meat bite, Masseria substituted an arancini which was both a cost effective yet delicious alternative that made everyone happy. The tables beside us had other dietary requests and the substitutions made for them were equally thoughtful and... according to our dining neighbors... also quite delicious. The price is on the hefty side, even for DC, but if you are looking for a special evening, you are in for a real treat. Yum! read more

Exceptional food and service. Overall a bit pricey for the area but the food was memorable. You need to be very hungry the way the menu is set up. read more

Oh man - where to begin. Place is beautiful, service is amazing, and everyone is really nice. The food however is no good. We had some bread, which was ok, then the real food came. Each course was small and looked nice, but the food wasnt seasoned in any way, bland bland bland. My wife doesn't eat seafood. They brought her 2 courses of eggplant. Our dinner was $775. I have no idea how this place is in business with food that bad. Inn at Little Washington and the like shouldn't fear Masseria. If I'm out almost $800 for 2 people to eat, it should be good. The food here is pretty, but mostly amateurish. read more

I was contracted to shoot for #ChampagneDayDC and this was the best venue we visited to celebrate the occasion. In the union market corridor, it's a very discreet light wooden wall that could easily be overlooked upon first glance. Upon entering you'll find outdoor comfortable seating surrounding open fire pits and an aurora that says: if you're here, you're somebody important. It's a very welcoming and intimate environment. Yet very exclusive. Through the glass doors you're able to see past the indoor seating area to the chef's curating dishes that will send your taste buds soaring. Impeccable service. An incredible attention to detail. Great for business meetings and dates alike. Ps--Nick is awesome. read more

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My husband took me here for my birthday and we had an awesome dinner experience. The flavors were amazing and you could tell how much effort was put into each dish. The staff were all very friendly and professional. Thank you for making my birthday even more special! read more

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DOES NOT LIVE UP TO ITS MICHELIN STAR!! Although the food was tasty and service was very good, we left underwhelmed by the overall experience as compared to our experience with other Michelin starred restaurants. Not sure Masseria lives up to the 1-star expectation. While the food was tasty, it lacked thoughtfulness, creativity, and distinguishable culinary intrigue. Portions were very small, even with extra additions--I found myself snacking at home the whole evening. It was a good dinner, but definitely not Michelin 1-star level of good. read more

My fiance and I dined at the Chef's Counter for his birthday. He and I have been to several Michelin star restaurants in the area and we have had a chef's counter experience at Volt in Frederick, MD, so I planned this as a surprise for him. This turned out to be our favorite experience to date. Overall, we were blown away by not only the food, ambiance, and cocktails, but also the level of service. They truly pay attention to every little detail at this establishment. We got complementary glasses of champagne and a sweet message on my fiance's dessert plate for his birthday. The chef and front of house staff also signed a birthday card for him, which I found genuinely touching. It is a memento he plans to save from a very special and memorable night. The evening started by our entering this remarkably cozy space in a very industrial area of the city. You truly feel transported. Since it was early on a weeknight, the restaurant was fairly empty. The hostess checked our coats and everyone we passed wished my fiance a happy birthday. Upon being seated, we were served a delicious and refreshing warm broth. Our server was very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The chef welcomed us and asked about dietary restrictions and unfortunately my fiance cannot have citrus or spicy food (the spicy food we forgot to mention) due to acid reflux issues. He gave us a rundown of how the dining experience would progress. Our meal began with a delicious bread course, the highlight of which to both of us was a savory donut on an overall phenomenal spread. As the courses progressed, we got to a pasta dish that was unfortunately spicy and (due to our own forgetfulness) we felt horrible telling the chef that we had neglected to inform him that my fiance couldn't do spicy food. I was impressed by how professionally they handled it, taking it in stride very smoothly and providing him with an alternative pasta dish that he loved. Again, we felt so terrible because it was our fault, so we were comforted by how well they pivoted. The dishes overall had a simplicity to them with marvelous execution. We don't often eat Italian food, but this very much took it to another level. By the end of the 6 courses we were stuffed. We each had three cocktails, all of which were delicious. My fiance splurged on their vintage Negroni and he confirmed that there was a noticeable difference between that and their traditional Negroni, so it's definitely worth it for cocktail connoisseurs. Overall, this experience was a marvel and made for a lovely evening. I cannot overemphasize the astounding efforts of the service staff to ensure the satisfaction of their guests. Friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and hospitable. We have already discussed coming back for a happy hour for more of their tasty cocktails and to spend time on the cozy patio! read more

I am highly dissatisfied with this so called Michelin and Star restaurant. I paid so much for this and could have received better food at a more affordable place. The food was high in sodium and their vegetarian food had no flavor. I took my wife for a birthday celebration and we had better time walking back to the car than we did sitting eating the food. I don't recommend this for food. Staff was friendly and placed looked nice. The pasta really lacked flavor. read more

I came for dinner with my girlfriend pretty late at night. The location of Masseria is literally in the middle of nowhere and you wouldn't expect there to be a Michelin starred restaurant behind a motel but there is. The ambiance is amazing and I just loved the overall vibe, with the interior and the outside seating area. We got the chef's tasting menu which we were happy to see was able to be made vegetarian. The meal is definitely on the pricey side, but that is to be expected. I really enjoyed the tasting menu that wasn't just a bunch of mushrooms, but instead cycled through a variety of vegetables and didn't keep us bored. I am sure the menu changes constantly so I won't go into detail on particular dishes I found better than others, but the servers were great in keeping the meal moving at a decent pace and by the end of it, we were so full. We each got cocktails as well, which were great with many different rums and whiskeys I had never heard of. I don't remember which ones off the top of my head, but the server was able to point me in a direction after I had my first drink. The service was impeccable, and they were willing to turn on the heater and make sure we were comfortable. All in all, it is a good place to splurge. It is definitely on the pricey side but the food was great and the chef's willingness to make a vegetarian friendly tasting menu made it well worth it. read more

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Supplement charge was not reminded by the waiter, and we paid more than doubled by unknowingly selecting alternative dishes for the course. For $178, You can only get a very salty pork as your main course, tasting like grocery store ham. Otherwise, prepare $245 on top of $178 for food only when budgeting, not $178 as advertised. Not worth it! read more

The food was good, but nothing was amazing. The dining experience overall was just average, certainly not what we expected out of a Michelin-starred establishment, with the main issues being the pace and a few service-related snafus. I've had Masseria on my list since it opened a few years ago and when my best friend told me to pick out a restaurant to celebrate my birthday it was a no brainer. While we weren't able to book a table, we showed up without a reservation and sat at the full service bar. Nestled in between warehouses in Union Market, the restaurant is an oasis. A beautiful patio welcomes you as you move towards the bar, which divides the outdoor and indoor space. The host explained that the outdoor side serves canapés, and the indoor serves the full dinner experience, so we sat indoors. The indoor section of the restaurant is also gorgeous, with industrial and rustic elements complimenting each other. There's another eat-in bar surrounding the open kitchen where you can see the food being prepared (those seats are not first come first serve). Masseria has an extensive wine list, with bottles starting at $60 from many regions of Italy (and some from other countries). We ordered two (expensive) cocktails while we perused the dinner menu. BFF had the palomino and I had a bourbon sesame cocktail. Both delicious though not generous pours. We did take note however of how aloof and not particularly pleasant the bartenders were, though to be fair, the rest of the staff was extremely nice. We went with the 4 course dinner (about $100 per person) and ordered 8 different dishes to share: the foie gras, the tagliatelle and ravioli, the black risotto, the pork and the beef dishes, and two desserts. All of the dishes were beautiful, though we were surprised at how small the portions were and none of them were the kind that you think about days later The Sardinian ravioli were our favorite dish, as were the bombolino which are served at the beginning of the meal. The beef and pork dishes were ok. The seared foie gras was very good but didn't come with any toast or bread so the rich flavor was almost too overwhelming. Overall the food was just ok. Here's where my disappointment began settling. We ordered a bottle of wine before our meal that didn't arrive until the second course. Second issue was the timing in between courses...too long! We had the first course without wine, and the bread as a stand-alone. (Bread was brought to us in between the first and second course but it was gone by the time our food came as it took so long in between courses, so no bread with any of the sauces or with the foie gras). It may seem like a harsh review but a $400 dinner for two (including a bottle of wine and 20% tip) should have been better, especially at an award winning restaurant. I understand that unexpected delays can occur, but that's when the restaurant should make up for those delays with excellent service. I would give 2.5 stars if I could. read more

We expected a lot more for this one given all the rave reviews and the price. First off, the restaurant was uncomfortably cold given the weather that evening. People coming in and out leaving main door open for wind to blow in. Roof in front dining room was not closed until well into the dinner after we asked for blankets to stay warm. Waiters spent alot of time moving in space heaters to keep people comfortable. The food was a prix fix menu of basically very small 'amuse bouche' type dishes spread over the length of the meal. Passed on the $120 wine pairing PER PERSON and stuck to a medium price bottle of white after a +$19 cocktail. The 'salad course' was literally two very small pieces of asparagus with some sort of vegetable in the middle. The meat dish arrived cold and under cooked. Sad to say but best dish was the desert. Hopefully the Michelin man wasnt there last night. Could've been ALOT better. read more

My wife and I went there for our anniversary. It was an unforgettable experience. The food was fantastic and the wine pairings were delicious and exclusive. It was extremely expensive with expensive up charges for foie gras and white truffle that were probably unnecessary. That said, we had very little criticism of the meal. The only thing we didn't love was the duck fat turnover which was a little burnt. Otherwise we will both remember this restaurant for a long time. read more

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This was a 3.5 for me, and my experience mirrors almost exactly Quaker W's experience below. To start with the positive, our service was unimpeachable and the meal was properly paced. I did find myself a bit... underwhelmed by the food especially for the price point (and especially when nearly everything we ordered as a supplemental charge. The ambiance is really wonderful and reminds me a little of the Dabney if the Dabney were in an industrial park with a beautiful outdoor patio. My friend and I did the 5 course tasting and I think we would have done 4 if we had to do over. As others have noted, Masseria's version of Bombolini were absolutely delicious. But I thought the squid ink breadsticks lacked flavor and the tomato accompaniment was super acidic and just tasted like tomato paste. The house made focacchia was just ok. 1st course: Burrata. A friend in the restaurant industry tells me he never orders the burrata on the menu because it is almost always overpriced. Here, it's a $30 supplement, presumably because of the beluga caviar and oyster with which it is served. Perhaps my palate isn't sufficiently refined for this, because for me, it just tasted like wet, vaguely briny Burrata. Foie Gras Duet: Best course of the night. Perfectly executed with an interesting blend of textures. I wish we'd ordered two of these. Second course: Risotto: Fine. Our waitress told us that the rice was from a region in italy known for the best rice in the world. Not to be flip, but don't think I could detect that. Cheese and truffle rarely fail, so this was rich and tasty and exactly as we expected. Tortellini- I found this dry and underwhelming. Third Course: Capalleti- Nice flavors but again, dry. Orechetti- My favorite pasta dish of the night. Burnt Wheat Orecchiette. Rapini. Cherry Tomato. Pecorino. Sounds uninspired, right? But I found it delicious and perfectly seasoned Fourth Course: Rib Eye: Perfectly cooked but sooooooo under-seasoned. A fish that is relatively unmemorable. Final Course Cheese supplement. Divine. (Picture to come). We had cocktails and a few glasses of wine. My wine selections were nice but as others noted, overpriced ($15-25 per glass). My cocktail: Cabeza Tequila. Parsley. Lime. Green Chartreuse. Olive Oil. Overwhemed by chartreuse. I wouldn't order this again. Here's the short answer I think: Go on a nice night and sit outside or at the bar and order cocktails and from the bar menu where you can enjoy the bomboloni and the cheese. Glad I crossed it off my "to-dine list" but not eager to return for the tasting experience. I just think there are better meals to be had at a comparable (or lower) price point. read more

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My husband surprised me and wanted to take us to a Michelin star restaurant. As other reviews mention, as you drive up to the front entrance there is an unassuming sign that says "eria" (the other lights on the other letters are broken). There is an extremely cute patio/garden area in the front and then of course the main dining room where you have a view of the kitchen. We went for the 5 course option with drink pairing (approx. $210 per person). It came with 2-3 extra surprise courses by the chef including a palate cleanser and then some very light appetizer/snacks. All of the food was SO delicious and artistically decorated. The reason I am giving 3 stars is because I saw multiple tables there celebrating birthdays who had different waiters than ours and received better service (more attention, more "on the house" wines/drinks/desserts) and it seemed at times our waiter was no where to be found. Lastly everyone at the end received a parting gift of fresh olive oil. Our waiter completely forgot and we did not want to mention anything thinking he would bring some at the very VERY end. Our own walk out the door, still nothing. So I couldn't help but run up to the gentleman at the host desk and mention this to him at which time he apologized severely and ran in the back to grab us one bag. At a Michelin star I would expect equally attentive excellent service to every table at all times. I don't want to assume but we were concerned that we may have had this treatment because of our age, being one of the youngest couples at this restaurant and perhaps the staff felt that we were out of place and could not afford the experience. Hope to still return again though some day. read more

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Delicious! Came here with my friends for a birthday and it was fantastic! Waygu beef was worth the money to add to the already delicious courses! read more

We got the Masseria a Casa carryout meal last weekend with the menu being steak tartare, lamb ragu pasta and a Brodetto (seafood soup). The Steak Tartare was delicious - you could tell it was a quality ribeye since it had a beautiful color and the slight truffle flavor was fantastic. It held up to the carryout travel time really well. The lamb ragu was probably our favorite dish. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the lamb was fall-apart tender. It was absolutely perfect. The Brodetto was probably our least favorite dish. The broth was pretty salty and we, unfortunately, had some closed clams so we couldn't eat the whole dish. This may not have traveled as well as some of the other dishes even with the detailed reheating instructions. Pickup was at their sister restaurant, Officina and it was a little difficult to find a spot to even call for their curbsite pickup since the Wharf is so busy. Overall, we thought the meal was definitely worth the $85 price tag and was plenty of food for 2! read more

Came here for a 6 course tasting menu with my wife. Apparently if you order the "supplements" they replace a dish in the tasting menu. I got the seared foie gras supplement which was completely meh. A giant piece of seared foie gras with a blueberry tart..... completely unimaginative. This completely forgettable foie gras replaced an asparagus dish as far as I could observe from other tables being served. We also ordered the lobster "supplement" which replaced an octopus dish. So unless I dont understand English correctly a "supplement" is something you get extra in addition to. They should call it "upgrades" or something else on the menu to avoid this confusion. I got a 6 course tasting menu I paid for, but the way they did it felt dishonest. Standouts: smoked fish and steak tartare amuse bouche, sea urchin pasta, little seared rabbit ribs on the main course read more

I've been here twice and the service and atmosphere is excellent, granted on the exterior you could walk past it on the side walk and never know It was a Michelin Star restaurant. All of The food is excellent but can be a bit adventurous for some individuals, however the staff and chef are very accommodating to dietary restrictions. Whether it's the 4 course select your own, or the 6 course La Cucina Chef's tasting, it's all wonderful. I've never done the wine pairing as the cider's they have as well as other drink options are fantastic alone. The price point is reasonable, $143 for the 6 course (which ends up being more like 7-8) $17-$23 a plate in decent is very good for about a 2-3 hour experience. The atmosphere is amazing and you could even go just for drinks and snacks as the have a bar menu and a quaint but modern courtyard. If only for a special occasion, go with an open mind and be sure to honestly convey your likes or dislikes and the server is always helpful to narrow down what you'll enjoy. Will certainly come back. read more

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