Like so many other master Chefs, Chef Masa Takayama’s love of and appreciation for food began at a very young age. As a boy growing up in a small town right outside of Tokyo, Japan, Chef Masa grew up helping at his parent’s fish market, delivering sashimi, and then moving on to cooking fish dishes for the family catering business. He apprenticed under Sugiyama Toshiaki in Tokyo, which further taught him the art of precision in sushi, and about the importance of making food into an experience. In a quote from Chef Masa, he refers to himself as a carpenter saying, “What kind of house you want to build? What kind of food you want to make? You think your ingredients, your structure. Simple” – The New York Times. This is how Chef Masa seeks to make all his dishes; simple and true to the training he received.
Located in the Time Warner Center just outside of Central Park, Masa was opened in 2004, with the desire to create a restaurant that was true to Chef Masa Takayama’s culture, heart, and training. From the moment you arrive, you immediately recognize that this will be an experience like no other, and the food will be the star of the show. The dining room is a muted color palette of creams and whites, with minimal décor. In fact the one piece of décor is a tree in the middle of the entryway that changes with the seasons; if you are able to go to Masa in Spring, the Cherry Blossom Tree will take your breath away. The sushi bar has a piece of raw, unfinished wood that stretches the entire length of the bar which furthers the natural aesthetic of the restaurant. The menu itself is omakase, which means the Chef sends out what he desires nightly, and there is no established menu. There is also a strict no picture rule at Masa, so be prepared for this. While the menu is never known, you can hope to be treated to previous favorites such as the White Truffle on Seared Wagyu, Cho-Toro, and Caspian Caviar. No matter what is served, you can expect it to be plated impeccably and perfectly balanced.
- 3 Michelin Stars, 2011
- Forbes Travel Guide; 5 Stars
Website: www.masanyc.com
Phone: 212-823-9807
Tony Lagana
Chef Tony is a 42-year veteran of the food industry and is often known by his peers as “The New Product Guru.” Throughout his illustrious culinary career, he’s earned several notable titles and positions including Acquisition International’s “Most Influential Product Development Expert, U.S.” in 2019.
In 1997, Tony also founded Culinary Systems Inc., a group of culinary consultants that assist with culinary training, restaurant start-ups, concept development, and more. Since then, Tony and his team have generated over two billion dollars in sales for their clients in restaurants, retail, and manufacturing.
The strategic, technical, and culinary skills of Tony and his team can be seen on the menus of national chains, in the portfolio of national food manufacturers, and on the grocery shelves of products produced by major retail companies.