Masons Bar Restaurant

my wife insisted we had to check recent reviews about what appears to be a complete 180 degree turn for what once was a sweet local bistro,I see there have been mixed feelings. well,speaking as another chef. its got very poor, I notice with disbelief,that a couple of the rave reviewers also are 'in the trade' one appears to have worked in an as yet non existant 5 michelin star establishment,I don't think I will be patronising masons until the next owner has a better crack at it.......by the look of things that should be very soon.
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paul oldham
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Been here several times now, weekdays and weekends and it is always a pleasure. The owner, the front and back of house staff are all great, very friendly and welcoming and moreover passionate about providing good honest food.

The place is fairly small, but that adds to the atmosphere and makes it feel more exclusive, but also allows the waiting staff to be more personal with every customer. They always have a selection of specials at any given time with lots of freshly made desserts which are too good to resist! Then they do a wicked passion fruit martini to finish the meal off nicely!

The food is always beautifully presented, well balanced and not over seasoned like some places we have visited just to give the food flavour.

Best and favourite dish so far was a skewered prawn dish with was to die for, but their red snapper at least one of us has everytime we visit as it is divine!

Prices to some might seem a tad expensive (from experience in the industry) but it is well worth it for a perfectly constructed dish, and of course they are not mass producing and they are independents.

I personally work in the industry as a manager and thus can sometimes be over critical, but with Mason's there is really nothing major to grumble at. I wish they had a few different wines stocked but the wines they do stock are good and thus can''t complain!

We shall be going back again soon!
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André Woodhall
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, April 02, 2011

I, and my partner dined at what used to be a jolly nice local bistro last thursday, I have to say its gone now and been replaced by something awful from the 80's,when british cuisine was at it's most embarrasing.I struggled to maintain eye contact with our server the whole evening who seemed to know little about the food or drink(what little there was) on offer, service was slow and unattentive, I hope the owner reads this and has a serious sit down with the staff they all need a damn good wakeup call other wise I suspect you will be getting a letter from your bankmanager. however I do wish you all the best (John) as masons under recent ownership was special,

My partner wants me to add,check your loos more often.
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eric minter
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, March 29, 2011

just had an awful meal @ masons, as John eats there so often one can only guess he is the new owner, good luck with that.
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abigail morris
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, March 27, 2011

Am really confused by the previous reviews. I had Sunday lunch there on Sunday as I have for the previous six Sundays.

The roast potatoes and yorkshires were more than fine and certainly not aunt bessies. The lamb was cooked to perfection.

My girlfriend and I eat there regularly and it gets better all the time. Hence me being happy to put my name against my review. It's John. Previous reviewers can't do so. Why?
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John
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, March 21, 2011

Absolutely second comments from visitor 2nd March 2011. What used to be fantastic Sunday roast dinners has now turned into a sloppy, bought-in, reheated shadow of it's former self. Totally unacceptable to serve Aunt Bessie's frozen roast potatoes and yorkshires, and have the cheek to charge £13 for it AND not make a single dessert from scratch.

Service is also totally amateur and without any regard for dining experience, rather just about serving food.

Totally rubbish and very sad that we will no doubt eventually lose what was a thriving little bistro from Ladywell village.
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2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Sunday, March 20, 2011

The only complaint about Masons is the size through no fault of the always accomodating and proffesional staff,i have lived in the area for the last twenty years albeit not always affording to go to restaurants .I have however worked in so called 5 star high end Michelin" goodyear" restaurants ,I applaud the cuisine the food and pure determination of all involved of a brilliant local happy place to go. Keep up the good work
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James
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, March 19, 2011

Stale, frozen, bought in, going down,down,down.for gods sake find a style and stick to it.service has always been sloppy , you can get away with it when you are busy but not at the moment, suggestion, invest in more professional staff and give ladywell what you've given us before,start with sundays.....
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2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, March 02, 2011

I've treated Masons as my local 'diner' for years now ,drop in on my home,£10~15 and I'm good for a night in front of the box with the old lady who appreciates the fact that her slob of a fellah hasn' t left a kitchen full of dirty burnt pans or tin foil take away conttainers all over the place. but I've noticed lately that the sauces have started to taste a bit more west end and I can understand the menu, no silly cheffy words, just good flavoursome food the blackboard menu has started to catch my eye I opted for dover sole the other night which was served with lobster butter and chopped up king prawns {not on the menu} it was perfect. I can' t remember what the missus ordered but it came with a hearty dollop of buttery mash which she couldn't finish so I did, mashed potatoes like my mum makes a bit lumpy but who objects to potato with abit of potato in it? although she didn't finish her main her indoors wanted a pud { women!} she had the sticky toffee pudding which was a proper pud with ice cream {homemade I think} couple of coffees later I told the wife to call a cab, ' cab' was her retort, 'we only live round the corner' I'd forgotten we were in Masons {hic} All in all a good night out and local at last thank you masons for being on my doorstep see you very soon. I'm coming Saturday.
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anthony17
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, September 16, 2010

Having recently moved in to the area I stumbled upon Masons whilst checking out the local area and reading various reviews thought I'd check it out.

So, arrived early Friday evening and the place was already busy so was asked whether we minded waiting whilst a table became free so me and the missus enjoyed a nice bottle of wine.

We eventually sat down and ordered - I went for the chicken wings/drumstick in Hoi Sin Sauce, and my better half went for the squid in paprika. The chicken drumsticks were that - nothing spectacular though had six or so pieces so quite generous. The Squid seemed half cooked, was limp and not that great. (Forgot to add - we did try to order a couple of other dishes just prior though already sold out - it was only 7.30pm at this stage so quite surprised.)

Mains, went for the rump steak - so-so, rather than chips I had the mash and whilst tasty was definitely lumpy, not good. Wife has the fish pie and she commented that it was very floury, also, when the fish pie arrived it was literally the pie (fish pie with mash on top) plus the plate had some additional (lumpy) mash - would have preferred a bit of advice re ordering sides when they took the order!

With wine the bill was just shy of £50 which was ok but def feel a bit short-changed. Atmosphere was good and we did have a good time - next time will book and get a seat by the window!
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Crack
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, September 07, 2010