Masa Steak & Hamburg

Masa is a premium Japanese steak house. It’s owned by the same group that operates the yakiniku restaurant Yazawa just beside it. Despite that fact, previously you couldn’t order dishes from each other. They recently omit this rule though, so you can enjoy the best of both world.
I have to say that steak is a dish that shouldn’t be too complicated, that should simply be just good beef, cooked simply to perfection. And Masa achieves just that.
However, I am simply not a fan of Japanese steak. I’m a pretty heavy eater, but even for me the steak is simply too fatty & marbly. At first visit, I ordered the ribeye (my favorite cut) and I just feel so cloy (‘jelat’) after finishing the whole thing. I can’t fault Masa for it though, because they cooked it well. It’s just the kind of food that doesn’t suit me.
But I still visited the place a second time, because a friend gave me a tip that I should order the chateaubriand, which is a special cut of the tenderloin or something. (Google it) Normally, I would never in my wildest dream order that cut. Tenderloin is known for its tenderness, but it’s lacking on marbling and fat. However, in a Japanese beef, the tenderness is retained while still possessing just the right amount of marble-​ness. The result was outstanding, probably one of the best Japanese-​style steaks you can have anywhere in the world.
I don’t usually care about price, but I have to take 1 star from Yazawa here because I think it’s ridiculously expensive. The chateaubriand was just 150 or 200 grams (can’t remember) and it costs $ 200++. You should still try it at least once in a lifetime though.

The good: Mouth watering hamburger with tasty rice and sauce to boot. One night I got ambitious and ordered the streak, top 5 all time. Yes, that good. Comes pre-​cut so you can use chop sticks. Comes with a small side of seasoning, but honestly speaking it doesn’t need it. Melts in your mouth. Staff is friendly and attentive, and I think by now they recognize me but I can’t tell for sure because they show everyone the same amount of attention and respect. If you feel like drinking you can also visit Orihara Shoten next door for some top notch sake.
The bad: Price is high, and other items on the menu are just above average. Never had a bad dish, but I have high expectations when a premium is charged.
The ugly: The atmosphere/​décor is lacking. It’s made up of high booth seats and a private room to the side. The kitchen is glass, but you can’t really see from your seat, only when you’re walking in/​out. I prefer the setup at Fat Cow, so I wish Masa would revamp to make it more open and friendly to smaller groups. If it did, this place could be a homerun, but for now it’s just a go-​to for mind blowing beef.