Mas 39 Downing St. (Bedford & Varick Sts.)
West Village
212.255.1790
Mas:
French for “farmhouse,” Mas is serving up country-style cuisine in a small and posh setting that has the restaurant community saying, “Oui.” A small cocktail area specializing in French and California wines greets visitors to this new “in” restaurant, where those without reservations are allowed to wait by the bar, but it could be a few months before they see the airy dining space behind the receptionist. A heady wait staff in rural Franco checkered shirts under sweater vests serves fantastic entrées like clay pigeons and lamb loin during dinner hours with smaller dishes of big eye tuna and steak tartar available until 4am every night. With entrées averaging just under $30 each, dinner at Mas doesn’t come cheap, but you’ll have plenty of time to save up while waiting for a break in the reservation list.
