Imagine walking to your table in a restaurant and seeing a welcome sign and personalized menu awaiting your entrance — that was the first thing that impressed me about MAASS Fort Lauderdale.
MAASS is located within the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, right across the street from the beach. This contemporary American restaurant focuses on open-fire hearth cooking, with creative craft cocktails, an award-winning wine list, and a team that goes above and beyond when it comes to service.
Guests can opt to enjoy their meal in the dining room or sit at the Chef’s Counter and get an up-close look into the open kitchen. The 14-seat counter allows you to watch the chefs in action as they whip up your seven-course meal, with an array of snacks in the beginning and wrapping up with a dessert platter. The Chef’s Counter menu is $225/person and I’ll bet it’s quite the experience.
At the helm of MAASS Fort Lauderdale is chef/owner Ryan Ratino. He is also the Executive Chef and owner of two MICHELIN-starred concepts in Washington, DC: one-MICHELIN-starred Bresca, and two-MICHELIN-starred JÔNT. He also received the MICHELIN Guide 2023 Young Chef Award for DC.
MAASS is one of the relatively new restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, having opened at the end of 2023, but it is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after dining experiences in the area.
My MAASS Fort Lauderdale Experience
While the chef/owner has multiple MICHELIN accolades, which is certainly a draw, the rest of his team’s hospitality is what struck a chord with me during my visit for dinner. When making my reservation, I let my dietary restrictions be known, as I always do when invited to a restaurant. Not only did their team consider these restrictions, but they curated a custom menu just for me, listing all of the items from the standard menu that could be accommodated.
A thoughtful “Welcome Shaina” and “Take A Bite Out of MAASS” inscription on the first page of the menu was a minute detail that made all of the difference. Within seconds of sitting down, our glasses were being filled with champagne. Moments later, the “snack” portion of our meal commenced.
For me, a delicate Japanese rice cracker with Maitake mushrooms, and a Grappa glass of tomato water with dill and yuzu. Both Shaina-friendly options were light and flavorful and a perfect way to start off the meal.
The regular menu of snacks was served to my bestie and favorite dining date, Destiny. These consisted of truffle popcorn with parmesan and chive, house-made and hearth-fired focaccia bread with cacio e pepe dip, a foie gras macaron with strawberry and peanut, and a mini lobster roll with brown butter on brioche. These are certainly not your typical snacks!
Moving on to the starters, we shared the tuna crudo with radish, smoked gluten-free soy, and yuzu — a bright and citrusy dish with lots of character — and the charred avocado with lobster salad and grilled scallion, topped with caviar. We were eager to try this particular dish after seeing it posted on MAASS’s Instagram feed. It’s pure luxury, having both lobster and caviar at the forefront of an appetizer, and we loved every bite.
We also shared the peach and endive salad with sunflower seeds, baby lettuce, and pistachio. Typically, this dish is topped with creamy burrata, but to keep it Shaina friendly, it was served without the cheese. This ended up being our favorite of all the appetizer dishes. We loved the amount of texture and variety of flavors.
We didn’t share our main dishes. I stuck to my Shaina-friendly menu and got the striped bass with caramelized fennel and yakitori sauce, while Destiny ordered the Diver scallop with corn velouté and black truffle. For the sides, we had grilled Maitake mushrooms with gluten-free soy and garlic, and the summer zucchini with mint and pistou.
Presentation is clearly important to the team at MAASS Fort Lauderdale. Everything was colorful, precise, and the portions were just right. Oh, and let’s not forget the cocktails! I had the ‘Solange’ with strawberry-infused Belvedere vodka, barsol, rosé, lemon, and egg white. Destiny had the Aurora with Mijenta Blanco, Illegal Joven mezcal, coconut, raspberry, and chocolate bitters. These were so unique and a great complement to our snacks and starters.
Just to note, the menu changes seasonally, so some of the dishes mentioned here may not be exactly what you find on the menu when you visit. Additionally, special menus to accommodate dietary restrictions — like what was prepared for me — are always available on request.
Our experience at MAASS Fort Lauderdale lives very predominantly in our minds. The attention to detail, unparalleled service, and creative food and drinks… Destiny and I both loved every single thing we tried and agreed that this was probably our top dining experience together. And we have eaten at a lot of great restaurants all over South Florida.
Make Your Reservations at MAASS Fort Lauderdale
MAASS Fort Lauderdale is located at 525 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Reservations can be made here. The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 5-10 pm. The recently launched Sunday Brunch is available from 11:30 am-2 pm for $145/person.
In addition to the Chef’s Counter, there is also a family-style experience available for $98/person that features a selection of Chef’s favorites from the hearth. But that’s not all — events are plenty at MAASS. Click here. to check out everything going on at this Fort Lauderdale beach restaurant.
Looking for more oceanfront restaurants in Fort Lauderdale Florida to dine out at? Here are a few suggestions:
- Burlock Coast at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale
- El Vez from Starr Restaurants
- Wild Thyme at the Atlantic Hotel & Spa
I also love the Fort Lauderdale seafood restaurant on Las Olas Blvd, Even Keel, and the more casual dining-shopping concept also on Las Olas, Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar.
Disclosure:
FAQs
Yes! Sunset Hour is every day from 5-7 pm. The menu highlights a selection of cocktails and wine for $12.
You absolutely can. MAASS offers space for private events, large or small. To inquire, email [email protected].
Reservations are recommended. You can reserve a table or a spot at the Chef’s Counter on their website.
