02/29/08

The Short End Of The Chop Stick

by rennspeed

After a late day some friends were craving Sushi so we decided to sample Masu.

I had just recovered from the "three week crud", so with my appetite fully restored I was excited about testing my new found desire to eat.

The decor was sloppy Skylab ripoff, but I smiled when I realized the space was formally what Portland insiders once knew as the "Red Door". And yes the JDM hand dryers are a novelty to behold

Cucumber slices in the water were a nice touch, but the minuscule taster of Edamame really should have been an indicator of things to come.

After looking over the Menu I decided to forgo Masu's $16 dollar specialty rolls for a plate of vegetable yaki soba and fried OTA tofu because I wasn't sure if my body was ready for sushi.

All of the food arrived quickly, but when I received my $13 dollar noodles the reaction at the table told me I wasn't the only one who thought I had just gotten the short end of the chop stick. The portion was what I like to call "Skimp Chic" or in other words I'm going home hungry.

Once I jumped in to what should have been the most remarkable Yaki Soba noodle I have ever tasted I realized that the Tofu must have been playing hide and go seek under the garnish of shredded ginger. After a short search and rescue effort I accepted that the Tofu was M.I.A..and quickly tracked down our waiter to explain the oversight. He disappeared into the kitchen to liberate the Tofu P.O.W. & Upon his return I had already inhaled my uber noodle, so I was left with a precious after dinner "bite" of OTA.

I'm sure my first mistake was not ordering Sushi, but if they can't get .75 cents worth of noodles right do I really want the fish?

07/20/09

disorganized

by oregonsunset1

nothing was platted correctly. one salad came, then an entre. we had ordered an appetizer that finally came at the end of the meal and the 2nd persons salad came with a third entre. Server never asked if we wanted a 2nd cocktail. recommend you dont put an appetizer on the menu that takes a long time to prepare.

• Pros: good sushi
• Cons: terrible service

02/22/09

Nice decor, average sushi

by misfitcooper

While in Portland for the weekend, we decided to check out Masu based on reviews at citysearch. The prices were about average for this type of sushi place, the sushi itself was average at best. The service was fine; I don't think we had the same person at our table more than once, not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing but they were all friendly (one woman even went to her co-workers to come up with some recommendations for some good places for us to check out after). I loved the decor, especially the wall behind the sushi bar. Nice music, too, and I have to give them props for playing Hot Chip!

• Pros: Cool staff, nice ambience/decor
• Cons: Average sushi, poorly insulated (cold by the windows)

01/31/09

so tasty and so yummy

by aktionjackson

Masu is a great place for some very amazing sushi! I was at the sushi bar with my brother and we both decided before hand that we didn't want to spend to much money and to try and keep it cheap, knowing sushi is always expensive, and masu isn't exactly a family style old school japanese 50% off kinda place. It's hip and funky with alot of style right downtown, it's more along the lines of a place to be seen. So we started getting our order and as soon as we started eating we looked at each other and we just started laughing, because it was soooo.. Goood! We started with Hirame our favorite! My brother and I usually get sushi together because we can afford more and sample more. the Hirame was amazing I have to say. We even asked the sushi chef about it and he said that they special order it from japan every week for the weekend. we ate our dinner and everything was so good, we both couldn't remember the last time we had so much delicious sushi, every piece of nigiri was so fresh. My bro and i usually eat on the east side of town, but we decided to try and get back to masu ASAP!. Our plan to eat cheap didn't quite happen, only because we had to order more since it was so good. oops! Try the Aji and if you are downtown portland definitly try out masu sushi it's a winner!! definitly be going back..

• Pros: So good and ti's really fun cool place to be
• Cons: the sushi bar only had 6 sits so next time i might have to wait

01/27/09

Masu

by blank09

I came in with a group of friends and sat in their lounge area, I have to say that the atmosphere at Masu is nice. The server was nice and kept checking in on us to make sure, if we needed anything - though..I

feel like I need to apologize for my friend's behavior.. she was a bit out of line.

(it was kinda embarrassing...) There was a bit of confusion regarding our bill, and I feel, that she tried her best to get it right. Either way, things got a bit ugly - and.. it all came down to a drop in communication.

But, yeah, Masu itself, is yummy. The food came out quick, and the drinks were AMAZING!

I'll probably be back.. just with different friends.

• Pros: lounge area is pretty, cocktails
• Cons: The check.

01/11/09

great place!!

by rasicsa

excellent fish wish i could afford sushi more often! this is the place to get it . its even open late with great music and cheap eats happy hour!

• Pros: awesome mural!

01/03/09

soooooo gooood!

by ressypicos

i love masu i went on new years eve and i was a little bit worried because i was so slammed busy but everything was so good! sushi was amazing like always, i branched out and tried a new salad. pickled pear mizuna salad i believe? it was so good, best salad ive had all year. higly suggest anyone to give it a try!

12/29/08

Overrated

by ratwood

I was very disappointed in dinner the other evening at Masu. I read the reviews and had heard good things about the restaurant. It did not materialize. The miso soup my daughter ordered never arrived. Her steak was done medium; that was my order. My steak was done well; that was her order. I ordered curry in my udon. The broth tasted burnt and there was no curry flavor. My wife ordered the curry rice with vegetables. She got two pieces of corn and a piece of potato. The sake menu is over priced. Given the number of good Japanese restaurants, I see no reason to go back. This was over priced, over hyped and under whelming.

• Pros: I cannot think of any.
• Cons: Mixed up orders; average food.

12/18/08

ohh jules!

by tkenn

i love sushi chef jules! he makes the best sushi and i have a total crush on him! i cant wait for more of his perfect sushi

• Pros: jules hes so cute!
• Cons: sometimes jules isn't there :(

12/18/08

best in portland

by jaymcafee

i went last night dinning room was a little slow but it was snowing out and not a lot of people on the town anyway! it worked out perfect for me fast service amazing food, excellent sushi and a beautiful experience!

loved the pickled asian pear salad (i will back just for that) the miso cod entree was split between 3 of us and was the some of the best miso cod ever! i had it a lot over the years. the tuna and aji where so fresh, the chef made me a tako crudo that was perfect, im stealing the recipe! masu is a really good resturant with an awesome set of sushi chefs! be there or be square!

• Pros: from the water to the bill all around delicious
• Cons: wanted to stay but had to go

12/18/08

love the sushi! love the chefs!

by jackollie

my favorite sushi bar in town bar none! I always sit at the sushi bar (because it's a sushi bar and thats where you sit if you want the best fish) but the chefs behind the counter r amazing! wonderful skills, wonderful fish, theres always something new to try or a new twist on an old favorite. Try it, you'll love it just let the boys behind the sushi bar take care of you. Don"t waste your time and money at a table, the severs dont care about you it seems, but those boys have some passion and they will spoil you. if u love good fish and like good dinner conversation go to masu and sit at the sushi bar and dont be afraid to order kitchen items they will tell u whats the best, but everythings so good anyway. im a big fan and i love sushi

• Pros: amazing sushi amazing chefs
• Cons: some server with large glasses! (sorry)