MAASS Restaurant at The Four Seasons

Last night, we dined at Maass and had the privilege of sitting at the chef’s counter. The experience was nothing short of amazing! They graciously accommodated my veganism, although I must admit, I indulged and opted for vegetarian dishes last night. Meanwhile, LD fully immersed himself in the tasting menu. Chef Ryan Ratino, along with his Michelin-accoladed team at Maass in Fort Lauderdale, curated a truly spectacular experience.

Without a doubt, Maass is the best restaurant in Broward. To find a dining experience that even comes close, you would have to venture to Miami. The food was both unique and exceptional. The service was impeccable, and I owe a special thanks to Nathan, our server, for providing the ultimate dining experience at the chef’s counter. We enjoyed an amazing six-course tasting menu, perfectly complemented by the wine pairing. It was truly spectacular!

Dined here for Thanksgiving dinner set menu. The experience was exceptional from start to finish. We arrived early, and they were able to seat us immediately. Whilst discussing the menu with my husband, our amazing waitress, Nicole, overheard my desire to change one item and immediately offered this without my asking. She also served me their honey ice cream as requested which was off menu for the night. The service was OUTSTANDING by Nicole. Hands down best service in the USA. The food was unbelievable as well ! The flavors were exceptionally well balanced. I will certainly be back and highly recommend it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Undeniably one of the best dining experiences to date. The staff is phenomenal as is the food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Waygu Short Rib with Truffles

A lot of flavors! Very interesting and tasty combinations, but portion size is tiny, it would be appropriate for a tasting menu, not for a la carte by any means. Long story short, we had to go get a second dinner right after we finished because we were still hungry. We started with strawberry and foie gras macaroons, then avocado and caviar appetizer, both of these were great and definitely recommend trying. For the main course, we got striped bass and chicken. Sea bass was great, amazing combination with the curry, although small portion. Chicken was only ok and there were 3 tiny bites each the size of a Brussel sprout. A quarter of the Brussel sprout was served as a side so you can see the relative size for yourself. It would be a good appetizer or a kid's meal. Also ordered a side of mashed potatoes. Another con, we had to wait for the entrees almost for an hour, and had to ask to check on food because they didn't seem to care.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: PB&J Fois Gras Macaron, Avocado with Caviar

Service was ok at best. The bar options were extremely limited and the serving sizes of the entrée was very small. Felt as if we were being rushed.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 2

Best meal we have had in Ft Lauderdale! We stopped in on a weeknight for a casual dinner and have now scheduled dinner at the MAASS counter this weekend. Highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion or a casual outing.

Dietary restrictions: They were able to accommodate our groups dining restrictions.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: PB&J Fois Gras Macaron

Great spot! The bartenders are talented. Wait staff was very attentive and knowledgeable. I did the tasting menu, everything was good besides the macaron, strange flavor profile. Can’t wait to go back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ryan Ratino is no stranger to accolades: He’s the chef and owner of one Michelin-starred Bresca and two Michelin-starred JÔNT in Washington, D.C. And by the looks of his Fort Lauderdale restaurant, MAASS, he’s angling for a third starred concept.

Located inside the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale overlooking the beach, the contemporary American restaurant features a sleek, mid-century modern design anchored by a pristine open kitchen. This is where we spotted Ratino, presiding over a perfectly synchronized team and a mesmerizing wood-fire grill. As we lingered too long near the kitchen, we noticed a handful of people sitting at the chef’s counter, enjoying a lavish tasting menu. But then, it was our turn to take our seats in one of the welcoming booths. (Note to come back to experience watching the masters at work.)

While our experience was á la carte, it did include MAASS’s signatures, starting with a few playful dishes that redefine indulgence. The Foie Gras Macaron was a sweet and savory surprise with tangy strawberries. Mini Lobster Rolls in pillowy brioche buns were as charming as they were delicious. Custom buckets of Truffle-topped Popcorn also found their way to the table—the combination of the crispy popcorn and the rich, umami flavor of truffle created a sophisticated twist on a classic treat. The last snack was, perhaps, the most irresistible: a warm and fluffy Hearth Focaccia Bread served with a unique Caccio Pepe dip.

We moved on to the Charred Avocado—filled with lobster salad, caviar, and scallion; it was a sophisticated dish that effortlessly combined bold flavors with a refined presentation. It followed the Tuna Crudo, a classic whose sliced radishes and citrus segments made it a showstopper of colors and texture.

Entrées were a taste of surf and turf: Diver Scallops over a velvety corn velouté, with the earthy aroma of black truffle and the nutty richness of brown butter, adding layers of complexity. The Japanese Wagyu Bavette is served with just the right amount of marbling and tenderness in a peppercorn sauce.

At this point, the expected petite fours served at restaurants of MAASS’s caliber were superfluous but the fluffy Madeleines were too good to pass up. Chocolate Cake with dark chocolate and coffee, Raspberry Mochi “Tacos,” and Vanilla Shaved Ice with strawberry and pecans capped off a very long and indulgent dinner, and each course left us eagerly anticipating the next.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great experience!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good food but small portion size and overpriced

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

We surprised our son for his 21st with the MAASS experience. Our server Jario was amazing and very attentive. Dinner was truly delightful and would definitely recommend if you are looking for a unique experience with great vibes....this is your spot!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I recently visited MAASS Fort Lauderdale at the Four Seasons to celebrate my birthday, and it was a complete letdown. The service was painfully slow, and the menu was entirely different from what they advertised online. The prices were ridiculously high, especially for what you actually get – it’s just not worth it.

The worst part? Our server showed a huge lack of attention. The table next to us, who were celebrating an anniversary, specifically said they didn’t want dessert, yet they received five different desserts! Meanwhile, we were only given two magdalenas as if they were an afterthought. We didn’t even make it to the main course before deciding we’d had enough of the disappointment.

We ended up heading next door to Takato, which was a much better experience in every way – better vibe, better service, and no unreasonable price tag. Don’t waste your time or money at MAASS; there are far better options around. This place falls way short of the Four Seasons standard.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Very disappointed. Worst hotel restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.
Poor flavour food. Only just cooked! Very simple boring menue. Not much choice and portions very small for what they cost. The biggest disappointment of our time in Fort Lauderdale.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

10/10. Truly delivered a fine dining experience.
The expertly crafted dishes mixed with the lively and elegant atmosphere made for a memorable night. We will definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mini Lobster Roll