Note:  This is a review of Masq, paid for by Masq, however, all opinions in this post are mine / Not Just Vegetarian’s

Masq, serving New American food serving New Orleans inspired food, is located in midtown East.  I was recently invited by Masq to review their food.  I was very impressed with the food, particularly the New Orleans inspired dishes and the wine pairing with the food.  Masq has a horse-shoe shaped bar that is in its festive best for the holidays.   The party room at the back can be rented for private parties. Hand-painted masks dot the walls of the restaurant.  The restaurant is made to feel as though one is in a traditional Louisiana home.  The co-owners, George and Nora Chaprastian, are also the designers of  the restaurant and have a keen eye for New Orleans’ art and antique furniture.  Co-owner and Chef Marc Getzelman’s dishes /sauces can be bold in spice levels, especially the jambalaya and the remoulade for the mac ‘n cheese croquette, but can also be extremely comforting – who does not love a mac ‘n cheese croquette?  What I loved about Masq is that they can make any dish vegetarian for those who want to eat vegetarian

Horse-shoe shaped bar at Masq restaurant and lounge NYC

Inside Masq restaurant and lounge NYC

Handpainted mask at Masq restaurant and lounge NYC

Private party room at Masq restaurant and lounge NYC

Masq offers seasonal cocktails, Pumkin Pie Martini, Wintry Delight, and Sinful Apple are a few, as well as some standard ones.

Moscow Mule at Masq restaurant and lounge NYC

The mac ‘n cheese croquette made with jalapenos, bacon, cheddar (can be made vegetarian upon request), arrived on a spicy remoulade which was simply amazing.  Have the croquette without the remoulade if you find the latter too spicy!

Mac ‘n cheese croquette on a spicy remoulade at Masq restaurant and lounge NYC

The flat bread was brought for the table to share – what I loved about this flat bread was it incredible thin, crispy feel and the lightness despite the goat cheese and the shaved pecorino romano .  The sweet fig complemented the prosciutto well.

Flat bread with arugula, goat cheese, fig, prosciutto and some pecorino romano at Masq restaurant and lounge, NYC

Next course was an Asian marinated salmon (soy sauce and honey) grilled to perfection!  I usually avoid a grilled salmon and stick to salmon for sushi, but I would get this one at Masq.

Asian marinated grilled salmon on a bed of mixed greeens at Masq restaurant and lounge, NYC

Next course was New Orleans classic – a shrimp po’ boy served on a sweet Hawaiian roll.  The cayenne powder sprinkled on the plate was balanced with some salt and together, those transformed the dish into something extra-ordinary.  And yes, the shrimp was sweet and batter-fried too.

Shrimp po’ boy served on a sweet Hawaiian roll at Masq restaurant and lounge, NYC

Jambalaya was served with pieces of goat cheese atop the rice – an odd combination is what I thought when it arrived.  One bite of the jambalaya made it very clear that the goat cheese was there for a purpose, specifically to aid you in dealing the spicy jambalaya, which has very little cayenne, but some very spicy andouille sausage.   I loved the bold flavors of this dish and would get it again, but this dish may not be for everyone!

Jambalaya with andouille sausage, shrimp, and goat cheese at Masq restaurant and lounge, NYC

After that jambalaya, arrived a warm and light sabayon with fresh berries and some kahlua – I am now a sabayon convert!

Sabayon at Masq restaurant and lounge, NYC

If reading this post does not make you want to go to Masq, may be some information below might!  Masq offers an incredible deal of $10.95 for a 2 course lunch including a glass of wine.  Masq has a New Year Eve MASQuerade from 9 PM on Dec 31, 2013 until 2 AM on Jan. 1, 2014 – get your tickets here.  Masq has live music on Thurs. night featuring acoustic blue, zydeco, jazz, country, and rock.

As for me, I would go to Masq for the some of best New Orleans inspired dishes in NYC.

Note: The post titled “Masq: New Orleans inspired food in NYC” appeared first on Not Just Vegetarian

Reminder: While I was invited by Masq to review their food and dinner was paid for by Masq, all opinions in this post are mine / Not Just Vegetarian’s