Amidst the Asian eateries in and around the city stands a lone outpost pushing the boundaries with some of best Japanese food to hit Auckland’s tables.
Masu is a bustling restaurant that’s been a bastion of traditional Japanese dining for more than a decade. Nic Watt, one of Auckland’s most accomplished celebrity chefs, has transported a slice of Tokyo into your own culinary adventure with food that carries an imprint of energy, flair and generosity. Whatever you choose, you can be sure it’s been crafted with care and attention to detail.
The menu covers a lot of territory and regimented into sets and styles, but passion and intensity lurk within where diners can choose from a range of modestly priced entree sized dishes designed to share or larger plates, either works well
Masu’s creations include rice and soup ($7); small dishes and salads ($10); vegetables (from $11); maki rolls (from ($19); tempura and fried (from $16); sashimi (from $32); sushi (from $33); and seafood (from $38).
Our choices on the day were sashimi ($54) beautifully presented, notable not only for freshness but for the variety of fish such as salmon, tuna, kingfish, snapper and john dory; and maki rolls ($20) of salmon, avocado smoked takuwan and orange tobiko.
The magic followed with spicy pickled cabbage ($10); featherlight tempura prawn ($30) with miso; and a pretty pottery dish of finely sliced wagyu shabu shabu, teriyaki ($39.90), washed down with an impressive selection of sake and shochu.
Technical precision, artful presentation and respect for individuality of flavours make for some of Auckland’s most interesting cuisine and will help you understand why Masu is so successful.
And the verdict? There is plenty of talent on display. Traditionalists will find the careful melding of Western ingredients with Eastern techniques matched with sake and shochu is proof that good food never goes out of style. Alex and her floor team deserve a salute for guiding you through the menu, gracious hospitality, and consistently good service.
Rating 17/20
Masu by Nic Watt: Sky City, 90 Federal Street | 09 363 6278
Dinner 7 days | Lunch: Wednesday and Thursday
