Matsu in Oceanside

Our family of 4 dined at Matsu on a recent trip to Oceanside. It was a fabulous experience. The food was delicious and the cocktails even better! I cant say enough good things about the service - all were attentive, professional but also down-to-earth and friendly. The ambiance was peaceful. I feel that this restaurant is Michelin worthy and would definitely dine here again if we are back in the area. We had a truly memorable, delicious dining experience. Thank you to the chef!

Fusion ish Japanese restaurant in Oceanside. Modern minimalistic decor inside. Omakase only with choice of regular or vegan. Food is good and service is attentive. However it was too expensive and I would rather good elsewhere for the price

Matsu is a singular dining experience that while expensive will be memorable for more than just the food.The dining environment is minimalist in a way that imbues the Japanese concept of Ma. There is a spaciousness that is felt in the main room of the restaurant and even within the design of the restroom. The tables are thoughtfully spaced allowing enough room between them for the servers to move freely and for a balance of spaciousness and intimacy. Everything in the space felt intentionally placed, the decor, bottles behind the bar, the tables. There is no natural light in the restaurant. The few windows are covered, which creates a feel of having stepped out of the world and being suspended for the time that you are inside the restaurant. Each of the tables are individually lit to highlight both the individual table space and the food that is placed on the table. Even though only a quarter of the tables were occupied on a Saturday night, it did not feel empty.Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by the name of the person who had made the reservation and brought to our table. A warm towel was offered for washing our hands. The staff was attentive, welcoming, and offered guidance on the cocktail menu. They have a great menu of cocktails, wines, and sakes. The whiskey cocktail, made with Rittenhouse Rye, was phenomenal, the table agreed that it was easily one of the best whiskey cocktails had in quite some time. The mixologist behind the bar is an artist who creates incredible alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Multiple servers were involved throughout the course of the meal for a table of four and each of them responded to questions about complementary drinks with thoughtfully considered recommendations for sake or cocktails that would pair well with various dishes.The same spaciousness that is felt in the ambience of the restaurant is also conveyed throughout the dining experience. The servers are attentive and present without being intrusive, the courses are timed to allow enough time to both complete the previous dish and savor it before another dish arrives. The food is perfectly placed within each dish (every dish throughout the coursed dinner being different and complementing the food it carries). Each course for a table of four is delivered by a team of four staff members, who in seemingly choreographed unison set the food down before each guest, pour over any liquid that finishes the dish, and then describe what is front of you. All dishware and silverware are cleared after each course and the next are specifically delivered for the course to come, including the opportunity to choose your own knife with one of the courses. It was a delight to not know what was coming next and to take a step into unknown culinary spaces with each bite. The combination of flavors, textures, and ingredients throughout the meal were incredible, unlike anything I have eaten before. Each dish was unique and even the dishes that did not stand out sparked curiosity and delight in trying something new. The consensus favorites across the table were the Koji Duck, Scallop with Shiitake, Cabbage Gyoza with caviar, and the Caramelized White chocolate with Blonde Miso, but the entire tasting menu was excellent.With a meal like this, you are not just paying for dinner, you are paying for a thoughtfully curated culinary experience in a dining space that complements the elevated culinary experience.

I had a great birthday dinner here. My server, Chaos, was very knowledgeable about my courses, pairings, and substitution options. Service was polished and professional, everything in sync. The food was excellent and the wine pairing was at times surprising but always complimentary. Overall I had an excellent time at Matsu, and would recommend this restaurant to any foodie or adventurous diner looking for a unique and memorable experience. Thanks for a wonderful birthday, Matsu team ❤️

Matsu may just be hit-or-miss, but not at ~$450 dinner for 2. Dont risk it here.It was a big miss for us. Expected fine Japanese cuisine, but its more an American take on it. Halfway through the courses we accepted the high cost was to support the Chefs creativity. Then a pork cheek dish came that was seared fat and jelly. No meat - none. The waiter explained thats just how pork cheek is. After being gaslit, we just wanted to leave. Its a lot of money - dont risk it here.

This is a brutally honest experience. My girlfriend spent $450 on my birthday here and I’ve eaten at a lot of establishments I didn’t review, but this one - I just have too.Quick review:- Atmosphere - 0/10 (smelled like sewer)- Staff - 10/10 (can’t ask for better staff)- Food - 2/10 (nothing was worth talking about in a positive note aside from the second dessert and the tempura shrimp (maybe)). Girlfriend scored it a 0/10 (her first one ever).- Value - 0/10. We don’t mind spending money when the food is delicious. Quick Shout out to Born and Raised for their prices being high but their food tasting amazing. It’s just heart breaking when the food is inedible AND super expensive.- Final thoughts - save your money go somewhere else. Please.Long review: Let me get the good things out first - the staff is friendly, fun, cool, sweet, etc. They were accommodating and absolutely funny to talk too. The GM as well. Just super personable and easy to talk to too. Great background story and very easy to root for her. If I could solely recommend coming because of the staff - I would do so…But I come to restaurants to eat.1st- It smells like sewage - possibly because it’s an old building but it’s just Hard to enjoy the atmosphere while simmering in poop. My girlfriend immediately smelled it and I just got random whiffs of it throughout the night. A few of the staff acknowledged the smell but said they’ve worked there for so long they forget it’s there.We got the 10 course meal with a bottle of wine. $450ish. We tipped high because we’re those type of people. Beware that you pay upfront when you make reservations. It’s probably a good tactic because you’ll feel embarrassed having to pay for this food after you’ve tried it.Wine was great. Vigne de Malina. I’m not a big wine guy so I can’t tell you if that’s good or bad but taste wise, it was great. Red wine.1st course meal - some kind of Salmon eggs which was absolutely inedible. Horrendous is an understatement. Best way to explain it as normal as I can is a fishy custard with fishy tasting and smelling balls that explode in your mouth. Neither of us could take a second bite. Again - Extremely fishy. Food aversion high.2nd meal. - “some kind of cabbage dumpling” describes the next meal as stated by one of the staff when I asked her to dumb it down for me. 3/10 for being edible but my girlfriend gave it a 0/10. Another plate we couldn’t finish.3rd meal - 2 little wraps with squid, Sauce, and sunflower seats. Squid had good texture - girlfriend: 4/10. I gave it a 3 /10. First plate we both finished.4th - tempura shrimp. The first meal I finished the plate for and wished for more. Tasted like sushi tempura shrimp as it had spicy Mayo. My score - 7/10, girlfriends score 5/10.5th -Blackened cod. Me: 2/10. Girlfriend gave it a 0/10. She could not finish the plate. I finished it because I was hungry. Extremely fishy and undercooked.6th - scallops mustard seats and maple mushrooms. Scallops tasted like corn. Girlfriend gave it a 0/10 & I gave it a 3/10. Food aversion high.7th - pork cheek/ roses - a surprisingly unique meal which doesn’t mean much in terms of flavor - just story. This was by far the fattiest piece of pork I’ve ever had in my life. 4/10 me. My girlfriend a 0/10.8th - Raw Duck breast with Wasabi, 2 skinny Carrots, and some carrot sauce. Girlfriend gave it a 0/10 I gave it a 6/10. Above average but not by much. I’ve had way better duck in tacos.9th meal (dessert)Mochi waffle, some kind of PINE FLAVORED ice cream, and brown sugar syrup. PINE FLAVORED abomination. 0/10, girlfriend gave it a 0/10. This tasted like I was eating a Christmas tree. We Couldn’t finish the first dessert.10th (2nd dessert )chocolate bark with ice cream and tangerines. This was amazing. Girlfriend and I gave it a solid 8/10. Tangerines had no flavor but by this time, we were so dissatisfied and disappointed that I would’ve thought McDonald’s was gourmet. I will say this has the milkiest chocolate bark I’ve ever had.

We did the chefs omakase menu to celebrate my 30th birthday. The whole staff was welcoming and knowledgeable on the whole menu. I would definitely recommend anyone in the area try Matsu for an enjoyable omakase experience. It was pricey but well worth it.They were able to accommodate a shellfish allergy without having my guest feel left out. There is a bit of parking in the back and on the street, but it is limited

Hard to pick a favorite but the wagyu was out of this world! I am not normally a mochi fan but the mochi waffle was incredible. I would say if the 11 courses, 3 were not my cup of tea but nonetheless the presentation and execution were outstanding. They were able to make me a refreshing mocktail which I appreciated. They are accommodating to dietary restrictions once at the restaurant (ie pescatarian only tasting). Street parking available.

Incredible service from people who really care about the food, and are happy to nerd out over it!Great ambiance. Photo worthy. Fantastic date night.The Rock Carrot Crab Sansho had me thinking about it every day for weeks after I had it. Who would have thought carrot and crab would compliment each other so well?Also my wife raves about the cabbage wontons topped with caviar.Finally, try the waigu at your own risk. It may set the bar too high for even the nicest ribeye after you have it.Cant recommend enough! Come support local small business!

I love fine dining and matsu is serving it!The presentation is beautiful and the food itself is out of this world. Its easily one of the best restaurants Ive ever been too.Im an Omakase girl and they have a well thought out Omakase. I truly think its worth every penny. The chefs passion for food really shines with each dish. The cabbage stuffed cabbage was insane. If you go here, TRY IT!They have an amazing bar menu as well if youre not in an Omakase mood! If youre celebrating any anniversary or birthday - this is the spot.