I did not enjoy it and wished it over asap so badly midway through. We had the tasting menu with wine pairing (also forgettable) at the countertop to face the open kitchen. Sadly, out of the 10 or so courses there were only 2 I barely enjoyed. I threw up afterwards to get rid of the greasiness and spent the rest of the day to recover. Service was just mediocre as 20% service charge is mandatory so they were not trying. Ambiance was fine but with that food quality was suboptimal and the "highlight" was various pork dishes I assure you are 10 times better at any barbecue spot. This review might sound harsh but we paid $1116 for 2 for a truly disappointing experience. We've been to many Michelin starred restaurants throughout the world and feel this was the worst. At least we'll never forget it. Please learn from our lessons and DO NOT COME. read more

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What an experience! We went through the 6 course tasting menu and a few shared plates, a meal that lasted almost 4 hour (there was talking in-between marveling at the food). This was one of our best meals in quite some time and it was one of the first meals in DC that we felt like we might have been transported to another country. While the food was delicious, what stood out to me the most was the dining staff. They truly worked as a seamless team - explaining the dishes, adding some flair and sense of humor, and truly seemed to put the customer first. Everyone on staff seemed to look out for each other and for each table. Now for the meal - simply put, everything almost looked too picturesque to eat! Thankfully, we were able to put that aside and enjoy every bite. Each dish seemed to have an element of surprise and built on the previous dish. At the end of the meal, we were trying to figure out which dish was our favorite and it was a challenge because we truly enjoyed every dish. If there is a drawback, it is that this restaurant is pricey, particularly if you order drinks or any shared dishes. If you are a foodie who enjoys an experience, then Masseria is worth a visit! read more

Disclaimer: This review is for their patio space in front of the restaurant. Behind the patio is a large dining room and another room with the chef's table, open kitchen, bar, and more seating. The back rooms are neo-Italian food, pre-fixed menu, and reservations-only. The patio, however, is first-come, first-serve. Masseria is two blocks from Union Market hidden among graffiti crumbling walls. It's a wooden fenced oasis offering class the moment you arrive. The patio is spacious with cushioned chairs and sofas around open fire pits. Once seated, the server will hand you a cocktail menu and bar food menu. The cocktail list is large with $16 signature and classic cocktails and $20 special cocktails. The bar food is classy, interesting and affordable for a top-rated restaurant in the city. I ordered a sweet drink- Floradora. It was so refreshing! It had gin, raspberry, lime, and ginger ale. If you want a good date night cocktail, go here! It has the vibes and drinks to make a perfect night! read more

As I walked in; I was surprised by the ambiance. The vibe felt more "abroad" than most any place I've been to in DC. Our group was seated at a table centered in their outdoor patio, which is fully covered by a louvered pergola to let just enough gentle sun light fill the space and floored with lovely large Italian tiles. The staff was formally trained; but very human. Waiters were present & attentive, without being overburdening. The food from the tasting menu was overall fantastic; with my personal highlight being the handmade ravioli. When I cut into it and saw lovely egg yoke pouring out? I knew (and can confirmed) ... the flavor was heavenly. Surprisingly? The only miss was the Foie gras?! This optional upgrade is far too rich & salty, and baffled my duck loving group, skip it. That said, everything else was delicious, and presented handsomely on high end plates (Versace), bowls and unique ceramics. It was a nice touch of luxury and fun to the meal. I will definitely be coming back to enjoy Masseria again ~ read more

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I had such high expectations with La Masseria because of the Michelin star and price tag (we spent about $1000 for two)! But I'm not sure if they were having an off day for the chefs menu- but it was off the mark. We had booked the 6 course tasting with wine pairing and truffle supplement. First off the location is beautiful and they have several sections - a garden outdoors with seemingly warm heaters, and an indoor-outdoor section which looked almost industrial chic. Then an inside setting which was 5 star modern Italy look. The overall service was divine, great attention to detail and loved the little details and history about each course and how the drink choice complemented the ingredients in each dish. Also before our arrival they called in advance for dietary restrictions and were wonderfully accommodating for the few that we had. The first half of the courses were heavenly. Starting with a delicious mix of antipasti, we had the burrata (oyster, caviar, onion), the carne crude (wagyu beef and black truffle) crude (yellowfin tuna, blood orange), and the giardinieria (fermented turnip, oregano). The flavors were both sweet and sour, fragrant and sublime. Such lovely morsels in our mouths. My favorite was the fish dish- the turbot with chanterelle mushroom and brown butter. The sauce was a richness that was unparalleled. I could swim in it and never get tired. That's where the tasting menu peaked. After that the black truffle risotto was good but portions were small. We opted for fresh truffle (and maybe that was our decadent mistake- supplemental of $35 per person) but the flavor was overwhelming for the amount of risotto there was. Almost a truffle salad. Too much- and my taste buds were blunted. Then the Veal dish- I was not a fan whatsoever. It was prepared in three ways- veal loin, sweetbread and cheek. It was much too salty, too overwhelming. The Veal cheek was the best, and the cabbage pairing was okay. But the gaminess and saltiness was too much and I couldn't eat it after the initial bites. The two last courses of dessert certainly finished the night on a high. Absolutely divine Agrumi with almond sorbet, yuzu curd and citrus. So refreshing and light after the heaviness of the veal. Then finally the torta al cioccolato- beautiful mousse and caramel. Yum. Overall- excellent service and fancy experience, but the *main* dishes were a miss for me- and just not worth the price compared to all the gems in DC. I did give it 4 stars- in the hope that the next chef tasting menu brings it back to stellar. - One tip- would definitely recommend the non-alcoholic drink service 10/10. From the 'champagne' crushed oyster drink to the cute chocolate milk at the end- wow how wonderful and creative!! My favorite surprise of the night! Also the wine pairing and cocktails were 10/10. Worth it. - Additional tip- its a little chilly with the indoor outdoor vibe wafting through the restaurant (at least in March it was) and I would bring at least a shoulder cover or cardigan. read more

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We tried Masseria after hearing that it is one of the best in DC. Price fixed at $178 per person with wine pairings that adds up to $150+ per person are your options. The setting was very industrial with massive concrete columns and steel. There is an open kitchen so you can watch the preparations. The wait staff were very friendly and helpful though they tended to do too much up selling. The cocktail options included the most expensive cocktails I have ever seen anywhere. $550 per drink! ‍. Needless to say we passed on them. The multi course meal was very creative the stand out items were the burrata app, the lamb course and the pasta with pig ragu. The other courses were ok. Dessert feature a really refreshing sorbet. We had a good bottle or two of a Sicilian wine. The wine list was extensive ranging from $70 to $5000. Overall it was a nice experience but unfortunately not worth the $1200 tab for four adults. We came, we enjoyed but we will not return. read more

Masseria is all around a 5 star Michelin experience from the service to the innovative modern contemporary warehouse decor and best of all culinary mastery with an explosion of flavor in every dish. The hefty $98 price tag for a 3 course meal including desert is well worth it! With so many options, the menu can be a bit overwhelming. FYI - the 4-6 dishes is per person not for the table! The 3 course menu was more than enough for my hubby and I - keep in mind there are also complementary dishes to accompany the courses. The complementary apps of foccacia bread and rolls, pickled veggies, and blood orange truffles and lemon sorbet desserts were tasty and piqued our curiosity. Kept us on our toes guessing for what's next! The Ravioli, Funghi, Chocolate Mousse, and cocktail "Peppino de Capri" were the stand-outs of the night. Definitely make a reservation using your Capital One account - you'll be rewarded with a complementary glass of Champagne. Great way to start off dinner! Of the cocktails we ordered, the "Peppino de Capri" was my favorite with a blood orange passion fruit sorbet topped with prosecco. Nice sweet refreshing cocktail! Ironically the cocktail "Contrary to Popular Belief" wasn't my favorite - the black walnut bitters overpowered the cocktail and I could barely taste the infused Fig and Walnut flavors from the Campari. After a couple of sips, I handed it to my hubby, who wasn't a big fan of it either. The buttery soft Ravioli filled with creamy cheese and parsley root puree floating on a sea of brown butter was divine. The bite size ravioli was cooked al dente and melted in my mouth. The crunchy parsley root pieces added nice texture. As there aren't many vegetarian pasta options on the menu, the ravioli was easy to make vegetarian without losing its flavor by omitting the meat like with some of the other dishes. The Funghi of mushroom medley was flavorful with an assortment of different types of mushrooms. If you love mushrooms - go for it! I preferred the Funghi over the Verde platter. The Verde platter with cauliflower, romanesco, and mashed potato with a drizzle salsa verde and aioli was tasty. Romanesco, crunchy florets like mini broccoli was fun to try. If you're a fan of cruciferous cabbage family, definitely get it! My hubby raved about the "Animelle" veal bread, "Bue" ribeye steak, and the iconic "Linguine" lived up to its name. The decadent Torta Al Cioccolato dessert was divine! The rich chocolate mousse paired so well with the Mascarpone Cream and Tiramisu Gelato, my hubby and I were fighting over the last bite! Don't recommend the sour apple based MELA dessert with roasted Ozark Gold Apples, the cream and gelato didn't balance out the sourness of the apples and didn't blend as well as I hoped for. To conclude our lovely meal, we received complementary cold-pressed olive oil bottles unveiling chef Nicholas Stefanelli's newest culinary restaurant - Keros. Aside from the explosion of flavor from all the dishes, the best part was the service and the ambiance. I've never witnessed over a dozen cooks and servers in a cozy kitchen working so harmoniously with vigorous passion. I spotted Nicholas Stefanelli bustling away in the back corner! Masseria holds the gold standard of service, the Ritz-Carlton of restaurants. The servers were polite, professional, and truly went the extra mile. Can't remember how many servers we interacted with - they all warmly greeted us, swiftly cleaning our table and replacing with new silverware, refilling our glasses, frequently checking to see if wanted more cocktails, and cordially explained to us all the eclectic ingredients in the dishes. They even remembered my husband's name in a packed restaurant at the end of the night and comped us for an expensive glass of dessert wine from Sicily, similar to port. When I pointed out that the glass was listed for $20 and charged for $25, the server not only comped us, but the manager apologized. He definitely deserved the $60 tip on a $250 meal! Looking forward to celebrating another wonderful occasion at Masseria, truly lives up to the Michelin star. read more

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Masseria Taste: 9.23/10 Price: 5.5/10 $135 for 6 course tasting menu I was curious how good an italian michelin could Be because i thought like pasta was just a pasta but dang i got pleasantly surprised. I only disliked 1 bite from this entire menu (a pickled carrot was an appetizer in between two breads) and the dark pasta just tasted like a pasta. Everything else though i was quite happy with. Those appetizer breads were super lit so fluffy and soft with nice filling of idk what in between but i was like dang. That oyster lookin thing was filled w caviar and some creamy sauce that was so good it worked rly well together Fish was really soft and buttery and so much better than the one from that sad japanese place sigh they did good pairing it w that white sauce and whatever the heck that green stuff is and log Pasta was just pasta Ribbon pasta had a nice chestnut filling that tasted super dank Duck was one of best ducks ive eaten pretty comparable to the dank dry aged duck i had from NYC michelin Dessert was jus a dessert i liked the diff variety of flavor profiles That chocolate milk was somethin special tho. That slapped my tastebuds so hard i wasnt expecting much from a milk bottle but dang. They used oat milk too but it felt like it came from wagyu cow udder. read more

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Went for a special date night and had a good experience overall. The two standouts in food were free items which is why I can't give this 5 stars - the savory donut on the intro snack plate was amazing as was the "foie noli" foie gras filled cannoli with black truffle. Amazing. I opted for the white truffle and game menu which was sort of disappointing. The truffles were almost unrecognizable in all but the ravioli dish. My husband had the chefs tasting which was delicious but not a lot of food at the end of the day. The service was lovely and the ambience was relaxing and classy but I'm not itching to go back unlike other Michelin spots in the city... read more

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For a Michelin star restaurant, the service was underwhelming. The interior was well decorated and I recommend sitting at the chefs counter (not table). Food was fine, but I won't be able to tell anyone what we got in a month. When considering the price, not worth it imo. read more

The food is good, but the service is really bad. I had one of my worst experiences ever in a fine dining restaurant, and I will never go back to this place. I wear a hearing aid, and the way they seated us made it difficult for me to hear my partner, so I decided to sit next to them. After that, our server became rude and irritated, giving us disapproving looks and making passive-aggressive gestures. I started to feel uncomfortable, so my partner spoke with the manager, but she didn't try to resolve the issue. Instead, she was defensive and supported her team without addressing our concerns. On top of that, they didn't explain how the menu worked, which made it more complicated than it should have been, and I ended up paying much more than I expected. The experience was not worth $1,068.56. read more

Do not take me wrong on the four stars - Masseria is a restaurant with delicious food that will be memorable, particularly their fresh pasta and their foie gras dishes (extra supplement for both foie gras dishes, but worth it for sure). The location is interesting but not very easy to find at first; you fumble through the street to find the small opening into the restaurant's patio and then the door to the bar and dining room - feels like you're entering a house through the pool. Still, I think this bit confers identity to the restaurant overall. The cocktails are interesting, and the food, as I wrote above, is delicious. The tasting menu started with interesting amuse-bouches; the foie gras was delicious, the two pasta dishes were very good and fresh, and the lamb was beautifully plated and tasty. Where a start drops is that there was a 30-minute interval between the last main dish and the dessert that was not even acknowledged. That can happen, of course, but in a restaurant winner of a Michelin star and with a pricey tasting menu, the service, otherwise very friendly, needs to be impeccable, and significant kitchen/service delays should not happen to start with or at least be acknowledged if happening. Ultimately, I recommend the experience, but it is a competitive fine dining environment in DC, and ultimately, details matter. read more

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Best restaurant, great music and friendly staff. Excellent experience all around! One of the best meals we've ever had.

To say this spot has jumped shark would be an understatement. Service was awful for a place that claims to be of a certain caliber. Starter and dessert were fine, but actual food courses were at best sub par and all left unfinished. Would not come back at any price but given what it costs, probably the biggest shakedown in DC. read more

BEWARE!!! The food was good. The wait service not so much. The waiter at first seemed very friendly and interested in us enjoying our evening. But as he went on to explain the menu and ordering process he became inconvenienced at us asking questions. The menu has a right side and a left side which several patrons had questions about. The more we asked for clarification the more visibly annoyed he got. But nonetheless we ordered. Once the food was being served he came back offering truffle shavings with a big smile. What a nice touch. NOT! All these little shaving added several hundred $$$ to our meal and in the end we were not impressed with the pompous act or the food for that matter. It was just good food. Not blow my socks off great. The many times we have been to Italy... this restaurant paled in comparison to the authenticity of true delicious Italian food and great service. read more

Trash. I don't normally use Yelp, as I love small businesses and don't want to ruin them but this is the first time I'm using this. Sadly here for graduation weekend and it was a disaster. Service was good but food was just god awful. Every meal is loaded in salt and there is no flavor. Unsure what the Chef is thinking but should redo his menu. Even the white asparagus was loaded with salt. The staffs remarks they come that way. This should get demoted ASAP! Sorry for being so mean but you did take $$ and I could have better food from Olive Garden. Don't ever go back! read more

Exterior: hole-in-the-wall location. Next to several run down buildings and empty land. Outdoor seating with fire pits while you wait to be seated Interior: rustic with good lighting, including the bathrooms (would have appreciated a slightly cleaner bathroom floor though). Seating is in clear view of the kitchen, even when not seated at the chefs counter. Menu: 4-6 course meal, consisting of any dish, as long as the last one is either cheese or dessert. 2 off-menu inter-mezzo options - foie-noli (+$15) and a generous grating of truffle on any dish (+$70). A few favorites were the foie-noli, pre-dessert berry sorbetto on vanilla zabaglione, wein-kase on the cheese platter, and torta al cioccolato. DRINKS: "Stops my mind from wandering" - light fruity, herby flavor with a clean but slight bitter aftertaste - refreshing and great palate cleanser "Fumo di Uva" - fun smoky drink. an extremely smooth brandy. AMUSE BOUCHE (complimentary): the savory donut hole was airy and light but also rich and cheesy. House-made bread and squid ink breadsticks paired wonderfully with the tomato sauce. Pickled vegetables to cleanse the palate before the fun begins. TRIPPA: if you love lobster, you'll love this dish - predominating lobster flavor in even the tripe. Extremely flavorful - thoroughly enjoyed this dish LINGUINE: one of the few pasta dishes I've ever had where the bread crumb is actually crunchy. Very garlicky. Pasta cooked perfectly al dente. Not actually spicy as advertised. Simple, but flavorful. FOIE-NOLI: For the price, I cannot say I could justify this again, but the taste was phenomenal! Wonderfully rich and savory foie gras mousse in a small cannoli shell, topped with pistachio and a slice of truffle on each end. I could eat this all day. PICCIONE: squab cooked to perfection - crispy skin with pink, moist meat, with no overcooked bits. Mushroom was immersed in rich buttery sauce - could have done with more of this. CHEESE: weinkase lagrein (favorite cheese of the night - deep, creamy flavor), robiola (deliciously creamy), epoisse (good the first few bites, but soon to become unbearably strong), the other 2 whose names I cannot remember were delicious as well. Cheese was paired with 2 slices of bread, a marmalade, and candied walnuts (though they were not sweet at all). I would have appreciated more thoughtful pairing with the cheeses, rather than slapping any few cheeses with the same marmalade and nuts. Softer bread or crackers would have been better too. PREDESSERT (complimentary): berry sorbetto atop vanilla zabaglione. Light and refreshing segue into dessert. One of my favorites. TORTA AL CIOCCOLATO: Outstanding dessert. Tiramisu gelato was extremely refreshing with a strong coffee flavor. It was placed atop some poprocks, which made the bite all that much more exciting. The baked chocolate mousse was more like a brownie than a mousse (not that I'm complaining). The variety in this dish definitely kept it both delicious and interesting. PETIT FOURS (complimentary): rich chocolate truffle. biscuit with dried berries. sugar coated jelly. Pleasant surprise at the end of the meal, but could not compare to its former dessert counterparts. My boyfriend ordered the Animelle, maccheroni, and bue. While I cannot thoroughly review them, I can say that from the taste I had and his comments, you cannot go wrong with them. Service: table cleaned and utensils replaced between courses. staff was very polite. Would have liked the server to make more confident recommendations on dishes rather than simply explaining what they were, particularly with regards to the cheeses. On a more positive note, we were happy to see personal touches added to our dessert/cheese course along with a card signed by staff and drinks to celebrate my and my boyfriend's 5mo anniversary. Overall: 1 star docked because service could not compare to other 1-michelin star establishments I've been to and the lack of pairing in the cheese course. Nevertheless, I was thoroughly satisfied with our experience at Masseria, and would still highly recommend! read more

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Went to Masseria for dinner. Wonderful restaurant. I think they are only prix fixe. There are a few options you can add into such as cocktails, aperitifs, wine and cocktail pairings. Oh they also have a non alcoholic beverage pairings. I can't remember all of the names of all six courses but I hope the pictures help. Everything was absolutely delicious. Each dish was very unique and the ingredients worked so well together. I have not seen such creative dishes in a very long time. The ambience is nice the cocktails were very good! Try the .38 special! I was amazed by this! I liked the bartenders spin on old school style cocktails. Very chic. Presentation on the course was beautiful and the cocktails were beautifully crafted as well! I can keep swooning over Masseria but I'll leave it here. Go! read more

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This Michelin star restaurant is tucked away on 4th Street NE, and stands out due to its lit up name and modern design. The restaurant itself gives off an interesting Italian vibe. Moreover, the service is excellent. My girlfriend and I had a 7:30 reservation, and when I first got there, I stored my coat in their coat checking service. We quickly got seated in our two-top near the bar, and a very cool thing about the restaurant is that at almost every table, you can see the kitchen getting down to business. Our waiter matched the feeling of the evening. He provided insight into the menu, offer his favorite entrees and drinks, and ensured that our meal would be great. Onto the kitchen headed by Nicholas Steffanelli. This kitchen produces high-level, exquisite, and delicious-tasting food. I ordered the five-course menu (Fegato D'Oca, Linguine, Cuttlefish, Bue, and Torta al Cioccolato). Every single dish had its own unique flare to it. It was the first time I had ever had foie gras, and I must say it was interesting. Secondly, I had the Linguine, which had shrimp infused bread crumbs over the top that added a beautiful texture to the well-seasoned pasta. The Cuttlefish was paired with a garbanzo-pea mixture and the Bue (Dry-Aged Beef) was paired with a potato mash and mini yorkshire pudding. Both dishes tasted delicious. The dessert along with the Bue were my favorite part of the meal. A chocolate mousse with tiramasu gelato, caramel, and marscapone cream shaped into a perfect dessert. All in all, this restaurant earned its Michelin star status and showcased that. Glad to have been able to try it. read more

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We went to Masseria last night for my boyfriends birthday. I have to admit we were a little bit disappointed overall since we had very high expectations. Service was phenomenal, however, food is why I'm giving this a 4-star rating. We did the 6 course meal and ordered a la carte cocktails instead of doing the wine pairing. Cocktails were very good. The presentation of everything was beautiful, but the taste sometimes just wasn't up to our expectations. The first course of antipasto may have been the best or the fourth course which was goat ragú. Everything else just wasn't that memorable. We are not in a rush to come back again, especially also due to the high price. read more

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Such a delicious and memorable experience. The service is incredible and the food and presentation are divine. It is a great restaurant for a special occasion. Definitely recommend trying it out! read more

Way too expensive for what it is. We did the 6 course tasting menu experience because that was the only option. There were a couple small bites that were good- including the small bread with cheese in the middle and the oyster with caviar. But the rest was ok. The risotto was undercooked and served with a dry, bland piece of toast. The experience is awkward because they thrust a large expensive menu of additions at you right when you arrive (when the tasting is already expensive as is), but then you aren't told what the courses will be. Overall, we were not excited with the food and then hit with over $800 bill for a dinner for 2 and it was painful. read more

We had the opportunity to experience the culinary splendor of Chef Nicholas Stefanelli at his restaurant Masseria for my wife's birthday this past October. It was quite the experience, enjoying the six course tasting menu, alongside a bottle of wine and a few cocktails. Ivan, our server, alongside our sommelier Kyle and the rest of the staff were very personable about making us feel welcome at every moment. What stood out first and foremost was their attention to detail. When we arrived to our table, there was a handwritten birthday card for my wife. We started off the evening with two cocktails. While they surely were not cheap, they were some of the best mixed drinks we have ever had. We then ordered an amazing bottle of wine, discussing our palette with Kyle, from our favorite region in Italy to go along with our tasting menu. The focaccia to start was simply divine, almost to the point of tears. We must say that this is one of the best tasting menus that we have ever had in the DC area. Each plate came out thoughtfully curated, like a work of art. Not to mention the Versace plates that the food was served on. What is so nice about Masseria is that it emphasizes how Italian cuisine is more than just pasta. Ivan explained to us how in Italy, pasta is mainly just a mid dish and how meals such as fish and beef are prioritized. This went way beyond the traditional Italian cuisine that we are accustomed to. To finish off the evening, they sent us away with a token gift bag with some great treats. Once you've tried Masseria, you can understand why this place is the #12 best Italian restaurant outside of Italy. We highly recommend Masseria for your next special occasion. read more

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We used to adore this place but our experience this last time was just awful. Shocked at the Michelin recognition. First of all, they never provide you with a roadmap/menu of the multiple course meal that is headed your way. So you're absolutely blind. Very odd. They do, however, quickly greet you with a supplemental menu when you first sit down. Basically Vegas-style up-charges. So keep in mind that you have no idea what is coming your way in the $162/person tasting menu that you ordered...but you are already being asked what you'd like to supplement your mysterious menu with or if you'd like to substitute an entirely different truffle-focused menu. Again, without knowing what is coming your way! Second, the pace of the meal was a total disaster. Literally 20 minutes after they've cleared your plate, you're still waiting for the next small bite. Most of our time at our table involved empty plates. No thanks. Go to El Cielo across the street...or literally any other tasting menu option in DC. Massive disappointment. read more

Our three-legged stool of food, service, and value really wobbled here. Whenever we evaluate a restaurant and decide whether to return, we always consider the above three things. To be perfectly fair and in all humility, every restaurant experience is different, and everyone's taste is personal. As at most places, if available, we opt for the chef's tasting menu because it is simpler and because frankly we want to be guided by the experts. The food is solid. This is unquestionable. I agree with many of the other reviewers, but I wasn't yearning for it again like I have at some other places. Did I dislike any of the courses? Absolutely not. Each was enjoyable. I was very pleased with the veal trio and the take on the cannoli with foie gras which the restaurant was texting everyone about is certainly clever and decadent. Also, the meal finished strong with a great dessert. However, with all of this stated, when we considered the price and the service, our experience fell short. No one was rude. Service was pleasant and reasonably prompt. There was one miss that we got our course and received no explanation because the runner quickly left after delivering the course. Since we didn't order off the menu, we just started guessing what the ingredients were. When the server checked back, I had to ask. Is this fatal? No, but it shouldn't happen at this price point or with a Michelin star rating. Also, the sommelier was definitely on auto pilot. I could hear the boredom increase as he explained each pairing (and we had an early seating?). Heaven help the people that came after us :-) If the price were a third or more cheaper, I would have been much happier. Also, we had a much better experience the night before at Kinship for the half the price, so I believe this discounted our experience at Masseira. Don't get me wrong. Expensive is fine, if its worth it. This is part of the value equation. Would I tell a friend to try it? Sure, if they are like us and like to try new places and work through the Michelin list, like so many do. They may have a much better experience and clearly lots of people do like it. Will we be back? Likely not. read more

Masseria - Very cool bar. - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We had a nice dinner the other evening here. The pergola space is really nice giving you an outdoor feel but still protected from the elements. The team does a really nice job and the cocktails are especially inventive. The second course with a series of small bites (and you can add some foie gras to it) was probably our favorite read more

This place was a disappointment from beginning to end. At arrival we were seated in the front room where there HVAC system did not have the capacity to cool the room. They gave me a hook to hang my purse which did not support it. It fell in floor to food that was under the table. I asked server to clean it up. Meanwhile my bag is stained from what it fell on. I asked server for wine list and was only given wines by glass. He pushed pairing. Understandable but not what I asked for. We upgraded to birthday menu. We had prepaid for regular including service but it looked amazing. Food started coming out and though the majority tasted good, everything was lukewarm or at room temperature! I've traveled all over the world and dined at many Michelin starred restaurants, never have I been served food at the wrong temperatures. The last 2 courses were also the wrong temperature but they did not even taste good. Desserts d the scallop were the highlights of the meal. Upon asking for bill, the server tried to sell us a candle! Then when bill was presented we received a diatribe about how he had to share service charge with kitchen and rest of staff! Out bill was over 600, with over 100 in tip for a 1.5 hour visit. I think management needs to take a look at their service and how food is presented. Not Michelin quality, not even gourmand or worth a mention. read more

Masseria is a place you must visit if you live or are visiting in the District. This was my second visit and it lived up to the delight of my first one two-years ago. If you are not familiar with the NE side of DC, be warned it is going through a major re-vitalization, and if your Uber or Lyft drops you off in what looks like a warehouse district, you are in the right spot. As you enter Masseria, you are greeted by a hidden oasis. The beautiful patio is a great place to get a drink before you sit down for your coursed meal. As you begin sipping on your wine or cocktails, you are offered a beautiful bread plate with three different options. The savory donut can't be beat. It's airy and filled with a beautiful cheese that compliments the tomato fondue. The sweetness, with a hint of acid from the tomato fondue will bring you to tears. It is a perfect start to a meal that is a journey into chef Nick Stefanelli childhood. My group went for the four course menu, which is the right amount of food, unless you're really famished. For my first course, I went for the Burrata antipasti, which is an additional $30. The cheese is topped with Beluga caviar, fried Cipollini onion, and hidden was a small Olde Salt Oyster. While I was enticed by the Burrata Pugiese, a fresh and stretched-curd cheese with a very soft and creamy texture, which the waiter claimed was flown in from the province of Bari, I believe the cheese muddled the salty flavors of the caviar. The crispy onion balanced the soft texture of the cheese, but the I nearly missed the oyster, since it was hidden under the Burrata, I am not sure I would pay extra for the dish on my next visit. The star of the night was the Gnocchi, with a ramp pesto. The airy and light potato gnocchi were like pillows for your mouth. The ramps packed a mild garlic flavor, and a beautiful green coating to the Gnocchi. This dish will not be on the menu again for a year, so if you have a chance to get it while Ramps are in season, do it. The service at Masseria is top notch, but not pretentious. Our Sommelier was on point with all of her choices. At first, I was not pleased with the Venica Romo delle Cime Friulano that came with the Gnocchi, but after eating the dish, the flavor profile of the white wine changed and I became a fan. read more

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If you are looking to splurge some coins on a 5-star Michelin dining experience in NE then this is the place for you. I made reservations for my partners birthday. We were seated in the pergola which had a view of the beautiful garden inspired outdoor lounge. Upon being immediately seated, the first thing I noticed was the impeccable service. Our server was thoughtful, charismatic and professional. The waitstaff made it a point to come over and wish my partner a happy birthday which really set the tone for the evening. We started with some cocktails. I ordered the 'moving to the country' (I think that's what it's called) and my partner ordered an old fashioned (as per usual). The brandy, peach, and cumin in my drink was the perfect balance of city fine dining and vacationing in Positano while laying on a yacht with an obnoxiously oversized beach hat. Our server did an excellent and detailed job walking us through the menu. There are several prix fixed courses to choose from. The restaurant was showcasing a 6 course crab menu in honor of crab season and of course I was sold. My partner decided to go with the 4 course option. The best part is that you can double up on entrees or antipasti if you'd like. So he went with two pasta dishes and steak. Our server advised us to save the last course for dessert and Because he is the expert I chose to listen to his wise advice. *A small caveat* I have to say that going into this experience I thought that I would still be hungry at the end of this dinner. Mainly because most of my prix fixed multiple course fine dining experiences have left much to be desired in quantity and taste. BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AT MASSERIA. We were stuffed. I had a 4 month old food baby that i had to suck in and hide for pictures afterwards. I can't remember what every course was, but what I do remember was that my taste buds were taken on an adventure every. single. time. While I did have some favorites and some I didn't particularly love, overall everything was delicious. And for the grand finale, our server was right. Saving the last course for dessert was the best decision we made. My dessert was a polenta soufflé with a crab gelato. YES, CRAB GELATO. Listen, this was the most amazing thing I have ever tasted in a dessert. The soufflé was f****g amazing. Can I use profanity on Yelp? Anyways, wow. The crab gelato! Who thought of this? I left wanting another one to go. Please enjoy the pictures of the food and make sure to make a reservation at this place the next time you want to celebrate a special occasion. Or if you just want to live your best fabulous life and make it rain in credit card points. *spend responsibly, this is not an ad* read more

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Holy foie gras! First of all this is a culinary experience not a restaurant to hang out. You can certainly go and hang out because the ambiance is nothing like any other place in DC but the food and experience is second to none! The restaurant is in a great location in NE. Making it extra easy to get to from Annapolis and Baltimore. It's right off New York Avenue before you hit the crazy traffic and areas of complicated parking. I made it from Annapolis to the restaurant in 30 min flat. Upon arrival you are greeted in an outdoor courtyard that makes you feel like you are in St Barth's. The decor is so cool and not stuffy. The staff is kind, attentive and very considerate. I mean they have shawls if you are cold. Who does that in DC? It's perfect for an intimate night out or a gathering of close foody friends. You are timely seated for your reservation. There is no "pushing" cocktails or forcing extra time at the bar so the restaurant can pad the liquor bill. Meanwhile, the cocktail list makes you want to try everything and has everything for anyone's palate. Once seated, you are treated like royalty without the staff overstepping bounds. They are respectful and pick the "right time" to interrupt your conversation to place the order. They are very accommodating of food restrictions and preferences. The menu gives you many options and again, you will want to try everything. We did the chef's tasting menu. It was off the charts. The kitchen was working hard but very attentive to questions we asked about food prep and ingredients. One really learns how stressful it must be to be in a bustling kitchen. These folks are patient, detail oriented and perfectionists in preparing AND presenting your food. Even the dishes they are presented on are works of art. As for the amount of food, there is plenty. If you do the tasting you may be concerned at one point that you will need to stop at McDonald's on the way home. Rest assured, you will leave satisfied and planning your next visit while walking to your car. Forget the nay sayers. This place deserves every star and then some. Chef Nick has brought a REAL restaurant to DC. read more

No matter how much we tried to love it, Masseria just did not live up to its own inflated aspirations. Many aspects of the dinner experience here are exceptional, but those delights are not enough to overcome the lack of balance, the heavy handed preparations, and the sheer fact that the flavors coming out of the kitchen ranged wildly from heavenly, to dull, to unpleasant. Have you ever heard of gilding the lily? There's plenty of that at Masseria. Case in point: an absolutely divine duck ragout, as intense a duck flavor as I've ever had, coating a bowl of super-dense leaden buckwheat orecchiette, then inexplicably buried in very thick shavings of parmesan. I had to scrape the cheese off to taste the wonderful duck, then leave behind half of the leaden pasta. Or consider the complementary "bread plate." It's beautiful, but it's an entirely inappropriate complement to a 5-course tasting menu: Fried bomboloni stuffed with an oozing, creamy center, squash blossoms stuffed with cheese, stuffed dates, foccacia, sesame-crusted black bread sticks. Stop! What is this? The Cheesecake Factory? I'm stuffed already and the first course hasn't arrived. We didn't eat it all, but that's mainly because despite being beautiful, the dates and the squash blossoms both had an unpleasant bitter taste. On the night we visited, 5 of 6 pasta choices and 100% of the dessert options were heavy on cheese, or cream, or both, and the waiter could offer no alternatives -- not even a plate of berries. But Even if you're a heavy eater with an iron stomach, Au can't recommend Masseria because our main courses -- the only part of the meal that wasn't stuffed or coated with cheese -- were actually pretty flavorless. The halibut and the "ribeye" (in quotes because it looked and tasted like tenderloin, not ribeye) were both woefully underseasoned. The dishes relied entirely on the sauces for flavor -- a big disappointment. A note about the supplements. Let the buyer beware. We love a good burrata (though if I'd realized how much cheese was coming, I never would have ordered it). Masseria offered a burrata antipasto "with Black Opal Osetra Caviar and Wianno Oysters". Talk about gilding the lilly, but what an exciting-sounding extravagance. We paid the $30 supplement (that's right, a $30 supplement for an appetizer -- what was I thinking?), and were flat-out offended by what we received: a small, cold, too-firm ball of burrata with a single oyster placed on top, a teaspoon of caviar, and a drizzle of olive oil. They should add bull testicles to this appetizer, because they had to have some to put this on the menu. Shame on me for ordering it. We really wanted to like Masseria, but the more we recount our anniversary dinner there, the more we wanted to lower the rating. read more

Everything was excellent. Food, presentation, music, all . But you need to get the wine pairing. Hats OFF to the Sommelier. It made the meal. read more

Great ambience, impeccable service, beautiful presentation and delectable cuisine. We had the tasting menu and every dishes were great experiences to my palate. read more

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Food was so ,so. Tasty but not mouth shattering. I was taken back by the expensive upgrades on the menu. Braley Swine in Austin ,Tx far out does this restaurant for a sensational tasting menu. Masseria was a nice experience but do not plan to dine there again. Rather shocking is that my partner prepaid for this meal and yet he was given the bill and paid the full price yet again. The server also mentioned that the 20% gratuity was shared with the cooks and any amount extra would help the wait staff. I found this shocking. This is a high end restaurant and wait staff in asking for more tip money. read more

The night before our big night out at Masseria, I joked that I hoped that we were not in for a "Miseria". Sadly, misery precisely describes my feelings about this restaurant. For the price point ($98 per person for a 4 course menu), the quality of the food was exceedingly disappointing. None of it was "bad" per se, but nothing special either. I even wondered whether the tomato mousse that was served as an amouse bouche was really an artful blob of Contadino tomato paste spooned out from the little can. Was the joke on us here? The run of the mill cocktails at $16 a pop, or the unremarkable wine at $18 a glass, added to the pain. Neither did the ambience contribute - not much creativity here. The service was what I would describe as "robotically attentive" - I could do with less of that. The one good thing about the concept is the pacing of the meal. I appreciate the time to linger over cocktails before ordering food, and then having time between courses rather than having the dishes delivered at a rapid clip and being sent on our way. This is a rarity in the DC area. Overall, I think this is one of those DC restaurants that might have been interesting at take-off, and then was put on auto-pilot to continue the journey. Well, I am here to act as a sensor warning the chef/owner to spend a little time on the premises to revive the original concept which may be on its downward spiral. read more

My best friend surprised me with a chef's counter seating for my birthday. From the moment we walked in, to the last sip of our wine, it was an overall top-notch Michelin experience! That night's chef, Ben, came over to introduce himself and explained he would prepare 6 courses of his choosing for us. In Ben we trust! We started off with a very nice chilled Fortaleza blanco tequila to toast to the evening. The first course was an assortment of small bites, such as savory gruyere donuts, pork sausage links, pickled vegetables, squid ink sesame bread sticks) and a tasty tomato puree served with house baked bread. The second course was a beautifully served Burrata imported from Puglia, topped with caviar and crispy shallots. The third course was a delicious sturgeon topped scallions and served on top of a foie gras mousse with caramelized pearl onions and finished with a balsamic vinaigrette (incredible). The fourth courses was a hearty housemade pasta, in savory sauce topped with crispy onion flakes. The Foienoli (Foie gras mousse filled cannoli, pistachio and black truffle) was a delightful break in between courses... amazing! The fifth course was another great pasta dish with duck and grated cheese on top (my favorite) and for the last course, an incredible assortment of sweet breads, which I normally wouldn't order, but I would if these wre on the menu. Dessert was a sweet assortment of chocolates, sorbet and caramel sauces and cremes. The staff was very thoughtful in writing "Happy Birthday" on the plate with a candle. The service was excellent, and our seating provided the perfect vantage point to see the dishes being prepared and ask the staff questions about the food. Aside from the food and service, the most memorable part of the experience was the chef's playlist! Rumor has it, chef Nick does not share his playlist, which is a tragedy because if you're a fan of 90s R&B... you need this in your life. read more

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Atmosphere: This restaurant is really cute and has a warehouse vibe. The entrance has a seating area for people waiting for their table and heating lamps in the winter. The back of the restaurant shows the chef's cooking which was nice. The service overall is great but they do try to push the wine pairings or cocktaIls on you. I was asked a total of 10 times if I want a drink during my time there. Food: we ordered the four meal pre fix which also Comes with complimentary bread, pre desert and a small post desert. My favorite meal was the hamachi appetizer. It had a great and strong citrus punch due to the sauce. The linguine was great as mentioned by other reviews. I was a little disappointed by the lamb and felt like it needed a bit more salt. The big piece also had a lot of fat. The deserts were great. Overall, it was good for celebrating an event but I probably won't go back since there's so many options in DC. read more

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Very pricey, but worth it for the experience. We went here for a Sunday night anniversary dinner and were extremely impressed with both the ambiance and the food. Each of the multiple courses we had were fantastic and while small were packed with tons of flavor. While it wouldn't be a place for a casual night out, it's definitely a must for a very important occasion. read more

4 stars. Came here with my family (there were 8 of us total and we were celebrating a graduation). The location is weird, we took an uber and it did not feel like a nice area, I'm not sure I would've parked my car in the location. We got there early and sat in the outdoor lounge area while we waited for our table. There was a nice fire pit and comfy lounge chairs, definitely worth grabbing a drink there. We ordered 2 bottles of wine and some of us got the 4 course and others the 5 course option. It was definitely pricey with the wine, since we picked a nice bottle, but outside of the alcohol I think the food is well priced, though some items are supplements, which can add up quickly. The food was quite good and the service good (refilled water, etc) but I took off a star because it took FOREVER for our food to come out between courses, it was ridiculous and not OK for the Michelin star and price. They brought out some delicious bread to start, the cheese balls were amazing. For my first course I ordered the supplement foie gras and it was incredible, if you like seared foie gras, then order this. Another person in our party ordered the pinzimonio vegetable salad and the presentation was beautiful. For pasta I ordered the Casoncelli, and it was a little salty but I ordered the truffle supplement, which was great. The mint flavor was kind of strange with the dish. I tried some of the Octopus someone else had ordered and did not like it, there was a gross fatty layer. For my main I ordered the steak, which was cooked very well, and was overall well executed. For dessert I ordered the cheese supplement and shared it with my brother who got the chocolate dessert. The cheeses were perfect and the chocolate was also tasty. Overall, we had a wonderful time and enjoyed the food, but wish it didn't take 3.5 hours for no reason. read more

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Great food and service. Got the seat at chef's counter and it was amazing to watch chef's prep food - like a live Food Network Channel. The tasting menu comes with Caviar, Truffle, Uni, and Fio Gras. It feels luxurious but also a little overwhelming just because the portion is so big for a tasting size. "Crab, Sprawn, Quail, Shrimp, Huge Fio Gras" .... to a point I really wish I could have some meat in between all the seafood /bird dishes. read more

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