Can you hear me??

The first ever Costa Mesa restaurant week kicked off on Friday and my friends decided to do a girls night out. The guys did not want to join because they said it was "too much estrogen." We decided to go to Mastro's because it seemed to have the best value with an appetizer, entree, two sides and dessert for $40.11.

We parked behind the TGIF to save on the valet parking. Although our reservation was at 6:15, some were late so we didn't get seated until almost 7. It was so dark that it was hard to see the room and boy was it loud. There was live music but we could barely hear ourselves. I think we had to repeat ourselves so many times it was like a broken record.

Mastro's gave a variety of warm breads including French, pretzel and Parmesan toast. It wasn't as good as the Palm Terrace but a close second. I ordered the French Onion soup for the appetizer and it came out in a steel bowl with a thick slice of bubbly cheese, French bread cubes and onions. It was salty but it probably from the cheese and being on the stove for a long time but it was piping hot.  Because of the 20 mins or so wait between the appetizer and entree with sides, I practically got full on the soup. Lol

Bread Basket

  

French Onion Soup


The steak came out on a HUGE platter and nothing else. Why is that? They could have put my scallop potatoes on the plate and then the creamed corn in the separate dish instead of three separate dishes. The song "Only the Lonely" came to mind as my steak came in front to me. Hehehe!!! We ordered the Lobster mashed potatoes after reading numerous recs on Yelp. It arrived and was ceremoniously plopped on our plates. AnK thinks it was claw meat which wasn't was tender was I would have thought it would be.  It was disappointing considering all the recs.  Since we didn't pay for the valet, I chalk it up to a free side.  It was $34.   :( The 10 oz. NY strip was rare and surprisingly tender. I know they just put salt on the strip but it was a bit heavy handed. Jeannette and Jen added scallops but I was glad I didn't since I was full from the soup. The cream corn and scalloped potatoes were okay but you could tell that there was ALOT of cream and butter involved. You know there isn't any low fat options here. It was glistening!!

10 oz NY Strip

Lobster Mashed Potatoes

Creamed Corn and Scalloped Potatoes



Chocolate Strawberry, Pecan Tart, Butter Cake



The dessert was a signature dessert trio which included chocolate strawberry, pecan tart and Mini butter cake. The plate was warm so the cakes and strawberry slid around the plate. I had to take a picture of Amy's plate cuz it looked better. The berry was sweet but WOW were the cakes on the sweet side. If I didn't have to work the next day I would have taken dessert with coffee. It would have been better.

Overall, I would still go for Restaurant Week to try Mastro's at least once. My recommendation is to ask to NOT sit in the main dining room. You won't be able to hear yourself talk or think. You'd be drowned out by the music and the singing and find yourselves speaking as quickly as you could between songs.  The steak was a bit salty but for some it can be okay but the value is good. Most had to go bag but the bags are HUGE and apparently only one size no matter how much food you have to bring home.  LOL  I don't know if I'd do this again but I'd probably opt out of the Lobster mashed potatoes.