Victoria Esteve
I am by no means a sushi connoisseur. In fact, my previous experiences with raw fish dishes were bad. This did not stop me (and tons of other people) from rushing to the grand opening of the newest restaurant in Oceanside: Masago.
This neo-Asian fusion establishment claims to use fresh ingredients in all of their dishes, and the presentation is phenomenal. You first enter the lobby and are greeted warmly in the quaint red and black themed eatery. The restaurant’s ambiance glows with delicate fixtures on the wall, and actual sushi chefs (decked in chef hats and armed with knives) are visible in the front.
The establishment features traditional dishes, like California and Rainbow Rolls, but it also has offerings that are not as banal, such as their Tekka Don Roll, which is a chef special of mixed tuna, seaweed salad and Oshinko rice.
The menu has a variety of options, including cooked dishes. I had the pleasure of savoring the Golden Spider Roll, which is composed of soft shell crab, cucumber, avocado, scallion, and tobiko. The crab tastes very fresh and tender, and all of the ingredients come together in a harmony of flavors and textures without the ‘fishy’ aftertaste. Masago does offer desserts, like tempura ice cream, tiramisu, and other interesting-sounding dishes.
That being said, the food in this casual eatery is very affordable. A dinner for two can easily run you less than $20, tip included. My first impression of the restaurant was that it was going to be a little pretentious – I mean, really, neo-Asian Fusion? My thoughts immediately went to a glorified, Japanese PF Changs, but it is far from that. Enjoyable, enchanting atmosphere, and astounding prices… who could want more? Well, maybe just one more roll.
Masago is located at 32 Atlantic Avenue in Oceanside, NY, 11572. Its hours of operation are Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m., Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The restaurant’s phone number is 516-766-6888. Major credit cards are accepted.
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