Virgil's Real BBQ - NYC

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Sajed Ahammad Sami

Mastro's New York: High Expectations Met Fairly Well (Reservation Essential) ​Let me start by saying that a reservation is highly recommended at Mastro's, and for good reason. The ambiance is super nice, super busy with live music and almost full to the brim on a weekday dinner. My experience was a mix of genuinely stellar moments and a few areas where my high expectations fell slightly short, ultimately leading me to feel they fared fairly well and deserve a second chance. ​The appetizers set an incredibly high bar. The Lobster Bisque Soup was everything you want it to be: creamy, rich, and bursting with flavor. The Crab Cake was another true gem—flaky, moist, and wonderfully seasoned. ​Our server, Torrell, was excellent—attentive and highly personable. However, my only service critique is that the starter recommendations, particularly the infamous Mastro's Bakon, felt a little too pushed, resulting in an overload of food for a single diner. The Bakon itself was decent but not fancy; it was overly sauced and a bit too salty, though I did enjoy that signature crispy outer crunch. ​The Bone-In Rib Eye (Medium) was the biggest point of observation. While certainly flavorful, the taste felt derived more from the heavy marinade and charring than the quality of the beef itself, which is what I personally prefer. The char was, at points, inedibly excessive, masking and slightly ruining the true steak flavor. ​What saved the main course was the incredible side: the Lobster Mashed Potatoes. They were the absolute star of the show, indulgent and unforgettable. ​A constructive suggestion: Mastro's must introduce single-person serving sizes for some of their magnificent sides to better accommodate solo diners. I still had a great overall experience and will definitely give them another chance next time I’m in NY or DC.

A P

I had an exceptional dining experience at this restaurant for my children's graduation from elementary school and high school. They provided us with personalized menu with the childrens name on them. The service was outstanding—attentive and friendly from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. Our waiter was fantastic, attentive without being intrusive, and made great recommendations. The highlight was the cheesecake—rich, creamy, and absolutely divine. Live piano music added a wonderful ambiance, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great food, excellent service, and a memorable night out. ---

Vickie Clayton

I had a wonderful dinner experience at Mastro's, surrounded by a beautiful atmosphere that set the tone for a fantastic evening. The live entertainment was a highlight, adding to the ambiance and making our dining experience even more enjoyable. Our service was attentive and good, ensuring that our needs were met throughout the meal. The food was mostly excellent, with my Bronzini being a standout dish. The steaks and pork chops ordered by others in my party were also well-received. However, our calamari was a bit of a letdown - it was overcooked and slightly too chewy. Despite this minor misstep, the overall experience was delightful, and I would definitely recommend this restaurant to others."

David

Food (3/5): The char on my steak was excellent, but it came out more medium than the medium-rare I ordered. Not bad enough to return, but definitely below the Mastro’s standard. The sushi, however, was flat-out terrible — I would strongly suggest no one orders it. Service (1/5): Unfortunately, this was the weakest part of the experience. Our server, Julian, had a bit of an attitude and didn’t make much of an effort to accommodate us. The restaurant was very loud, yet instead of adjusting for that, I actually found myself standing up to catch what he was saying. On top of that, my fork was dirty when it was set on the table — not what I’d expect from a restaurant of this level. The one bright spot was the bell staff, who were excellent and ended up providing more attentive service than Julian. Ambiance: Typical Mastro’s look and feel, but tables were tightly packed and the noise level was so high we had to raise our voices to talk. Overall: The steak had good flavor, but between the disappointing sushi, subpar service (dirty silverware included), and a cramped, overly loud atmosphere, this location falls well short of other Mastro’s I’ve visited.