Masquerade

Disco-themed Persian cocktail bar is a bloody fantastic concept. And damn do they pull off the aesthetics -- the mood is set just right in terms of lighting, music, wall art, furniture, and room layout. In fact, it's almost TOO manicured, if you know what I mean? I'm sure some would disagree with that sentiment, but I did leave feeling like I was paying for a trendy Williamsburg bar experience rather than an immersion into Persian gastronomy. I suppose the point is that it's both (i.e., Iranian-NYC diaspora) , so perhaps I'm being a total knob. Most likely. People were friendly, cocktails were great, and the food was enjoyable. As mentioned in other posts, seems the staff is still working out kinks as we had a minor slip up that was a bit annoying but, most importantly, genuinely apologized for. More specifically on food- only tried the crispy jeweled rice for a quick bite. The berry topping is great and rice crust is beautifully crusty, but I thought the rice itself lacked some flavor. That said, I realize that this dish is traditionally intended to be part of a larger meal, of which the crispy rice can soak up other flavors while providing texture. As such, I recommend ordering this dish in combination with others. I've focused a lot on the negatives in this review but still gave 5 stars as an indication that I think Masquerade has got something good that, with a bit of refinement, will undoubtedly be a Williamsburg mainstay.

Despite living down the block from this restaurant for 2 years, I have never been (and didn't even realize it was there). It's a very beautiful and cozy restaurant-- perfect for a date, intimate meal, or just a celebration with friends or family. I came with two other people and we shared everything. We tried the barbari bread, fries, whipped feta, pickles, lamb burger, Shirazi salad, lamb manti, and for dessert, the pistachio tart. All the food was wonderful.

Absolutely worth the try now that this restaurant is serving food. They have some growing pains in terms of developing the menu but I anticipate that this Persian spot will end up being a great option in the near future.Foodwise, there aren't a ton of options. The prawns are the star, super plump and well-seasoned. Nargesi is a nice choice (spinach, feta, egg) with interesting breadsticks that complement it well. For mains, we went with the sour cherry lamb (this was fine) and the chicken leg (this was more interesting in terms of flavor profile).The service was great. Essentially two employees but they were very attentive and wanted us to have a nice meal. The wine/cocktail menu in my opinion could use a bit of work, but it does have some interesting options. Ultimately, the bones of this place are good and the personality is there. Vibe is nice and anticipate that this will turn into an attractive option for the area.

I was under the impression Masquerade opened under a year ago, I was wrong. They've been open for about two years and somehow I've only heard about them recently. Nestled under the J with an unassuming storefront, find Masquerade. Consider this your notice to get over to Masquerade and basque in the Iranian delights that they're serving up. Everything we ate and drank was great - big flavors and they not too shabby on the creativity level either. Here's what we got for a party of two; we shared everything and it was the perfect amount. DrinkRosewater NegroniSaffron Old FashionedThief of Ceremonies x2 (one with tequila, one with gin)EatKashk e BademjoonMast o MoosirFeta Herb Barbari ToastSkirt SteakBeans & MushroomsDessertCardamom CakeThere you have it. Show these guys some love & get some good food while you're at it.

I was really excited to see that there was another Persian spot, especially one so close to me in Williamsburg. We as a group of 3 ordered a menagerie of small and large dishes but the standouts were the Sour Cherry Lamb (and get the Tahchin if you order a different large plate that doesn't come with rice) for food. We loved the Total Eclipse and Thief of Ceremonies for cocktails. I will say that we ended up getting a second basket of bread for our Mast o Moosir and a couple extra large plates after we put in our initial order so you may need to order a little more than expected to leave full. The food was delicious and a feast for the eyes as well with barberries like jewels and the golden glow of saffron and turmeric. The ambiance of the patio is perfect for dinner while inside is more of a small bites at the bar situation. This place was hosting a club meet up on the patio so it was a little loud but nothing out of the ordinary for an establishment that is also a cocktail bar. I think this can be good for a group of friends in the patio but also a more candle-lit date night inside. I will note that I think they're still hammering out some of the details of being a true dinner spot. This is my first time here for dinner rather than dancing actually; stay late if you're in the mood for that. Our dishes took a while to get to us and waitstaff seemed to be a bit spread thin. They did this all with grace though and when we did receive service our waiter was kind and attentive as he could be. It was probably tough juggling the club event and a few regular patrons so kudos to him.

Sofreh may indeed be a top tier option for Persian food in NYC, especially when the competition is mostly stodgy stalwarts in Midtown that have seen better days, but it would appear that most Brooklynites don't realize that the borough's Persian cooking has become a competitive affair. And when paired with the environs for serving it, Masquerade leads the pack.In fact, let's start with the ambiance. A dance bar by night, Masquerade might be referred to as a speakeasy, hiding in plain sight under the J train across the street from matzoh factories and the other eclectic businesses of Broadway. Inside Masquerade you will feel like you're in a David Lynch movie based on the decor.The drinks are stiff. My favorite is the saffron old fashioned, but I wouldn't blame you for ordering a round of rosewater Negronis either.As for the food, the eggplant badmajoon dip and the stews are my recommendations. The ash reshteh, which is my all time favorite here, is currently off the seasonal rotation, but the Lima bean stew was very good too. Some might find tahdig to be an acquired taste - think of it as cornbread made from burnt rice - but here it's served with a refreshing yogurt dip that brings out the best in its texture.

Loved the food, ambiance and staff. Creative drinks with unconventional spices and tastes. Creative Persian fusion. Loved the fesenjoon

Stellar place with a lot of personality. Cocktails were great. The sumac beer was delicious. Food was on point, especially the most&mooseer. Vibe is cool, good music.Will definitely be back!

Amazing food, drinks and the desserts were divine! One major plus about Masquerade is how clean the food tasted. Nothing was hidden in salt or sugar and the ingredients tasted very fresh and again, clean. We all know how rare a find that is. Absolutely delicious. The vibe in the restaurant is also fantastic, with attentive and knowledgeable staff. Five stars all around!

We had a delicious meal at Masquerade! All of the ingredients here are sourced locally and responsibly, and then transformed into some of the best Persian food in NYC. Chef Jamshidi is talented, passionate about his craft, and provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere at this East Williamsburg restaurant. Highly recommend going with friends and sharing everything on the menu!