Masa, New York City

Chef Masa Takayama's restaurant embodies the Japanese adjective shibui, which means "aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty," according to the dictionary. Masayoshi Takayama's passion for food began at an early age when he worked at his family's fish market in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. He subsequently went on to study under Sugiyama Toshiaki, a famous sushi chef.

Chef Takayama honed a 9-seat omakase menu at his first restaurant in Beverly Hills before moving to New York to start Masa. The purity and originality of Masa's sushi have been the main themes here. The sushi counter is made of a solid piece of Hinoki, Japanese Cypress, that is sanded every day to a soft, porous state, delivering both aesthetic and sensory pleasure from the moment one walks in. The restaurant is described as "one of the world's premier dining experiences" by Travel + Leisure Magazine. Masa has three Michelin stars, according to the Michelin Guide. Masa made waves in early 2020 when it served an $800 takeaway box. Given that a sit-down meal at the restaurant may cost upwards of $600 per person, some may consider this package (which fed four) to be a bargain.

Address: 10 Columbus CircleTime Warner Center, 4th Floor, New York
Website: http://www.masanyc.com/