"Mastro's is quite expensive and not really a family-friendly restaurant. Our bill for two quickly surpassed the $150 mark. For the price and the hype surrounding the restaurant, I expected a complete dining experience. This includes exceptional dishes, attention to detail, and professionalism. Unfortunately, we didn't quite get that.
First off, the location of Mastro's is not ideal. It's situated in a shopping plaza that's quite far from everything and feels like it's in the middle of nowhere. It was a 50-mile drive from our house, along dark two-lane roads. In my opinion, a restaurant of this caliber should have a prime, standalone location like in Paradise Valley.
When we arrived, the entrance didn't feel very fancy. The doorman was dressed in jeans and a sport jacket, and the three young girls who greeted us inside seemed more interested in checking the reservation book than attending to us. Once we were seated next to a window in the non-smoking area, we realized how crowded and cramped the space was. They had to shuffle things around to accommodate us, and my chair was practically touching the one next to it.
Our server, an older lady, did her best to make up for the initial impression by telling us about the special food and preparation methods at Mastro's. The food itself was delicious – the best steak I've ever had. However, the drinks were a bit of a letdown. I asked for a specific vodka and was served a martini instead, and when I requested a chilled shot of vodka, it came in a large glass filled with ice and water.
Despite the missteps, we enjoyed the ambiance and the live music at Mastro's. The decor was elegant, the lighting was perfect, and the crowd was not too loud. Overall, Mastro's is a great spot for steaks and upscale drinks at the bar. However, there were several questionable elements that prevented it from being the top upscale restaurant in town. I left with a desire to try out other highly rated restaurants for our next special occasion."
