Masons Bar Restaurant

My wife and i went to Masons restaurant on bank holiday Monday. Having done our homework and read several reviews on different web sites we had mixed feelings.

This quickly changed as the as soon as we walked in . The restaurant was busy and had a great atmosphere.

As we were sat down the head bar man told us about the different cocktails which were now on offer. I had the expresso martini and my wife had the cosmopolitan,both were amaxing and at six pounds each reasonable.

Masons has now changed they have 2 courses at £13.50 and as well as special board consisting of about three starters and about five main courses.

Both of us opted for the special board . For starters my wife had langoustine and for £6.00 amazing value as they were so fresh. I opted for the chicken wings with hoi sin sauce which tasty.

For main course i had Kangaroo which i had never had before and could not belive was on a restaurant in south east London. It was so tender and melted in your mouth. My wife had the Pork Belly which again was tasty.

He were so full that we had no room for dessert only cappuccinos for us both.

I will be coming back to Masons and would highly reccommed it to any one.
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Kris
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Mason's used to be a great favourite of a friend and me: the setting for many a happy night of imaginative food and drink. As she had been out of the country for some time she suggested that we go there to celebrate her return. Against the advice of several of my friends who had eaten in Mason's recently I agreed and looked forward to an evening of great food and animated conversation. What a let-down! We both ordered sea bass (£12.50) and received a very small fillet on a heap of lumpy mash with a red wine jus. A tiny bowl of green beans - properly al dente - was an additional £3. Feeling decidedly underfed we ordered dessert. Our first choice, crumble, was already off the menu so we opted for sticky toffee pudding. A dense flavourless slice of carb appeared covered in chocolate sauce. Despite our best (hungry) efforts neither of us could eat this and I spoke to the owner/manager. He immediately said we would not be billed for the desserts but no apology or alternative pudding was offered. We left, still hungry and very disgruntled. I doubt that either of us will return - a great pity as Mason's under the old ownership had been a firm favourite.
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Dr Snoddy
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Sunday, August 29, 2010

I took my wife to Masons for Valentines day and had a lovely time. As Ladywell residents we have been dinning there for over a year and have always loved the place but over the past couple of months we have seen the place go from great to fantastic. The music and atmosphere were both pleasant and relaxing while the waitress who dealt with our table could not have been more helpful and friendly. As a retired chef of over 30 years my take on the food is as follows: My starter of Queen scallops was absolutely beautiful, i would even go as far to say it was the best starter i've ever had outside of a Michellin starred restaurant. That was followed by the Fruits de Mer seafood platter of beautifully dressed lobster, prawns, mussels, fishcake and a selection of lovely dressings- perfectly cooked and a real treat on the eye, what more can i say! My wife chose the wild mushroom parfait with truffle oil followed by the rack of lamb, which she tells me were perfect. After such a feast we chose to share one dessert although we had paid the very reasonably price of £25 for 3 coures from the set menu, which was a light and lovely chocolate mousse.

Great staff, great food, great news for Ladywell, keep up the good work, see you on Monday for steak night!
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Bill and Tabitha
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 15, 2010

We had high hopes of an enjoyable new year's eve in our local restaurant. Unfortunately, this was not to be. We understand that Christmas gets wearing but it would have been nice to see some effort towards making this a festive occasion. As far as Masons was concerned, it could have been any dreary night in February rather than December 31st. There were no decorations in sight, no festive touches of any description, nothing on the menu drinks wise or food wise to indicate we were marking the end of the first decade of the 21st Century. While 3 courses for £20 is good value, we would have paid a little more for some festive cheer. The food was generally quite good, but needed to be warmer. We also had to wait too long between starters and the main course. There was little to no ambience - this was not helped by awful thumping music for much of the night and "whatever" service. When we left, there was no cheery good bye; in fact, no one said good bye or happy new year at all. Hope things improve as we would like to support our local eatery.
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Sian and Phoebus
4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Thursday, December 31, 2009

Great, enjoyable little place to eat. Lovely wine-bar bistro atmosphere. Service sometime a little slack but all in all a great place for a cheap and enjoyable meal. Three courses from the a la carte menu costs just £14! Always best to book as it is often packed on Friday and Saturday evenings.
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Elski201
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, October 23, 2009

My husband and I last ate here on Thursday 8 October having been previously but not for some time. I'm glad we went back! Yes, it was very busy and we hadn't booked. Fortunately, a nice couple who were just drinking at one of the tables moved to sit at the bar so that we could eat.

My starter of crab, rocket and green bean salad with mustard dressing was delicious - light and tasty. My husband's pate got the thumbs up too.

We both had monkfish brochettes for main. They were substantial and garlicky - mmm! They came with nice mashed potatoes and side veg.

For dessert I opted for baileys bread and butter pudding. It was tasty but a bit heavy for me. My husband had something chocolately - kind of a mousse - as they were out of his first choice dessert. The chocolate went down well.

To drink, we stuck with our usual, Erdinger beer which is on tap here and is very drinkable.

Portion sizes assume that you'll order at least the 2 courses but that's fine by me as I like to do that! ;)

I think Masons may need a bigger premises soon. It seems to be outgrowing its current space. It's a shame that the bar area is so small as I'd also like to pop here just for adrink form tme to time but as things stand its definately more of a restaurant, which may be what the owner wants and that's fine with me too!
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bethylou
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Friday, October 16, 2009

Highly recommended. Mason's is consistently good and more often than not really good. We should know, we eat there nearly every week. Great fresh food, especially love their fish. Imaginatively cooked to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Friendly service. Relaxed atmosphere. Affordable and great value for money.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, October 01, 2009

Popped in on the recommendation of a friend - what a find!

Excellent food in a convivial atmosphere.

For the price of 3 courses here, you'd be hard pressed to get a main course in a lot of establishments.

Strongly recommended.
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Mark Davies
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 04, 2009

Visited Masons on Monday night with a couple friends from the west Indies, i was'nt sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with what was on offer, quite and exquisit menu , i am informed it changes weakly which is refreshing to learn, portions on the small side but the ambiance, the smells eminating from the kitchen and friendly relaxed atmosphere more than make up for that, i will sertainly be coming again,
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peter
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I have eaten at Masons many times over the last few months and I have to agree slightly with the previous review listed. It is unfortunately a product of its own success and has become so busy that the level of service given by the waiters and the kitchen staff is now not sufficent.

Masons is in essence a great restaurant that offers an ever-changing interesting menu that always includes the freshest of foods. Unfortunately, in recent times it hasn't always been delievered correctly or in the time you would expect. I have had some great meals at Masons and with some better organisation I believe it would be flawless every time. I'm just not sure they can really cope with the numbers they are now expected to serve to on a nightly basis.

I guess some would say that you get what you pay for, and no one can discount the value and ambience Masons offers. My advice would be to get there early and you should be fine!
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Charlotte
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 20, 2009