The new Latin/Asian Masa 14 opens in Logan Circle

Masa 14 Partner, Chef Kaz Okochi

Chef Richard Sandoval, who brought us his marriage of Latin-Asian flavors, Zengo has done it again. He has partnered with award winning Chef Kazuhiro "Kaz" Okochi of Kaz Sushi Bistro to bring us Masa 14 - a new joint concept serving Latin and Asian small plates. After several months of anticipation, the 5,000 square foot restaurant just north of Logan Circle (1825 14th Street, NW) has opened on Monday, October 12, 2009.  

The menu jointly crafted by Sandoval and Okochi offers diners choices of either hot and cold including 'Hot': Wok Steamed Mussels in chipotle-miso broth and Masa-panko Calamari with madras curry, red jalapeno, tat soi, and chile sauce or  'Cold': Temaki Hand rolls such as Spicy tuna / wasabi / tuna / jicama /scallion or for Vegetarians, the sweet tofu / hijiki / pickled cucumber / basil roll. The menu also includes one of Kaz's signature dishes - the ceviche; however, not with scallop, he uses Tuna this time around.

The rest of the menu includes seafood dishes (Grilled baby octopus / chimichurri / pickled vegetables), meat and poultry (Pulled Beef Tostada
Cilantro / Peanut / Bean Sprout / Cotija Cheese / Guacamole), noodles and rice, to tacos (Pork Belly Al Pastor with pineapple preserve/red fresno/cilantro/pickled onion), to wood-oven action like the black bean/oaxaca cheese/salsa/avocado, Beef Tenderloin Huarache, the manchego/cantaloupe/arugula Serrano Ham Flatbread, and the wasabi aioli/capers/yuzu Tuna Sashimi Flatbread.

Photo courtesy of Thrillist - DC

Masa 14 with stark concrete floors, natural unpainted hickory frames and accents (see photo on left), has the capacity for nearly 240 guests and features a spacious 100-seat dining room, plus a private dining room which can accommodate parties of 18. In addition, Masa 14 will house one of the largest bars in the DC area with a whopping 65 foot long - 74-seat  brick wall-backed bar/lounge which is divided into three sections featuring selections of tequila, sake, beer, wine and cocktails including 62 wines by the bottle (19 by the glass), 14 taps, many hot and cold sake, and 100 tequilas. In addition, guests can view the open kitchen complete with a wood-fired brick oven which will be most utilized after midnight for Masa 14’s late night menu.

See previous article for more details about the Chef de Cuisine, Antonio Burrell.

The restaurant will serve dinner nightly, beginning at 5 p.m. and stay open for the late night party crowd on some nights as late as 3 a.m. Brunch will be available Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For additional information or reservations please call (202) 328-1414 or visit www.masa14.com.