Masa

Restaurant80% confidence

Masa is an ultra-high-end Japanese omakase restaurant in New York City, created and led by chef Masayoshi “Masa” Takayama and known for its intimate sushi counter and exceptionally expensive tasting menus.

New York, NY
masanyc.com

About Masa

Masa is a Japanese fine-dining restaurant located in the Shops at Columbus Circle in Manhattan, founded by acclaimed chef Masayoshi “Masa” Takayama. The restaurant focuses on omakase-only dining, where guests leave the menu entirely in the chef’s hands. Masa is widely recognized for its meticulously sourced ingredients—many flown in from Japan—and for presenting sushi and kaiseki-inspired dishes in a serene, minimalist space centered around a rare hinoki-wood counter. It has been one of New York’s most acclaimed and expensive restaurants, at one time holding three Michelin stars and now listed with two stars in the Michelin Guide. ([masanyc.com](https://www.masanyc.com/?utm_source=openai))

A charge from “Masa” on a card statement typically reflects a reservation pre-payment or final bill for an omakase meal, which can run into the high hundreds of dollars per person before tax and gratuity. Guests may also see separate charges for beverages, supplemental dishes, or private dining experiences. Some banks truncate or simplify the descriptor to just “MASA” or similar, so the charge may not explicitly show “Columbus Circle” or “NYC” even though that is the restaurant’s location. Because of the restaurant’s price point, even a single visit can result in a large transaction amount that stands out on statements. ([masanyc.com](https://www.masanyc.com/menus?utm_source=openai))

If you don’t immediately recognize a Masa charge, first check your email for reservation confirmations or receipts from masanyc.com, as well as any OpenTable or concierge-booked reservations that might have routed payment there. If you visited as part of a group, confirm whether the bill was split or placed entirely on your card. To resolve questions, you can contact the restaurant directly by phone or email via the contact details listed on their official website; providing the transaction date, amount, and the name on the reservation will help staff locate your check quickly. If the restaurant cannot identify the charge or you suspect fraud, you should then dispute the transaction with your card issuer, referencing that it appears as “MASA” or similar on your statement and that the business is a fine-dining restaurant in New York City. ([masanyc.com](https://www.masanyc.com/?utm_source=openai))

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Masa.

  1. masa

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my charge from Masa so high compared to other restaurants?

Masa is one of the most expensive omakase restaurants in New York, with tasting menus that can cost several hundred dollars per person before tax, beverages, and gratuity. A single visit—especially if you ordered premium sake, wine pairings, or additional dishes—can easily result in a four-figure bill when multiple guests are on one check.

Does Masa require a deposit or prepayment that might appear as a separate charge?

Depending on the booking channel and date, Masa may require a credit card guarantee or deposit for reservations, particularly for counter seating or larger parties. This can appear as a separate pending charge or prepayment before your visit, which is then applied to your final bill; check your reservation confirmation email for specific terms related to your booking. ([masanyc.com](https://www.masanyc.com/?utm_source=openai))

How can I confirm that a charge labeled “MASA” on my statement is from this restaurant?

Match the transaction date to the date you dined or had a reservation at 10 Columbus Circle in New York, and look for confirmation or receipt emails from masanyc.com. If you’re unsure, contact Masa directly using the phone or email listed on their website and provide the transaction date, amount, and the name under which the reservation was made so they can verify it in their system. ([masanyc.com](https://www.masanyc.com/?utm_source=openai))

How do I request a refund or dispute for a charge from Masa?

Start by contacting Masa via phone or email to ask them to look up your check and explain the charge; errors such as duplicate charges or incorrect gratuity can often be fixed directly by the restaurant. If they’re unable to resolve the issue or you believe the transaction is fraudulent, file a dispute with your card issuer and include any correspondence with the restaurant and copies of receipts from your visit.

Can Masa charges appear after I cancel or change my reservation?

If you cancel or change a reservation inside Masa’s stated cancellation window, you may still incur a fee, which will appear as a charge from the restaurant on your statement. Review the cancellation policy in your confirmation email, as no-show or late-cancellation fees are common at high-end omakase counters due to limited seating and the cost of pre-purchased ingredients. ([masanyc.com](https://www.masanyc.com/?utm_source=openai))

What are typical amounts for a Masa charge so I know if mine looks correct?

Exact pricing can change, but it is normal for a Masa check for one person, with tax and service, to be in the high hundreds of dollars and substantially more if you add beverage pairings or dine with multiple guests on a single bill. If the amount on your statement roughly matches the expected cost based on the size of your party and what you ordered, it is likely accurate; if it seems much higher, request a detailed copy of your receipt from the restaurant.

How can I get a copy of my receipt from Masa for expense or record-keeping purposes?

You can email or call Masa using the contact information on masanyc.com and request an itemized receipt, providing the date and approximate time of your visit, the name on the reservation, and the last four digits of the card used. The restaurant can usually reprint or email receipts from their point-of-sale system if given enough identifying information.

Does Masa place temporary authorization holds that might appear as extra or duplicate charges?

Like many restaurants, Masa may place a temporary authorization hold on your card when you leave it open for beverages or as part of processing the final bill. These holds can appear as pending transactions separate from the final posted charge but should drop off automatically within a few days; if a pending hold posts as an additional charge, contact the restaurant and your card issuer to correct it.

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