Southern Gourmet With Flair at MaSani

Overview: Because I am a Marietta native and love good food, there just aren’t that many local restaurants that are under my radar. It was delightful surprise, then, to be introduced to MaSani Gourmet Southern Cuisine at 915 Cobb Parkway North, near The Walker School in East Cobb.

From the outside it looks like many of the small country style restaurants that dot the highway. The first clue that something’s a little different is the sous chef standing in front of the restaurant holding a sign announcing that MaSani Gourmet Southern Cuisine is Now Open. Once inside, Executive Chef Harold Howard explains the name: Masani in African Swahili means “little girl with a gap between her teeth” and was the nickname of his beloved mother.

The restaurant has highly gleamed, polished dark wood floors, crisp white table linens and soft jazz music. It is Chef Harold’s culinary magic, however, that is sending ripples of enthusiasm through the community. He fuses Thai and French flavors and seasonings with classic Southern cuisine to create a one-of-a-kind experience in a fine dining atmosphere.

MaSani features live jazz on Saturday nights from 7 – 10 p.m.and would be a great time to check out this unique restaurant. This Saturday, May 28, Oscar "the smooth one" Sheppard is scheduled to play. The Saturday menu and jazz entertainment calendar are available on masanicatering.com.

The Food: To be honest, I was a little suspicious of the term “Gourmet Southern Cuisine.” The lunch menu, which changes daily,  offers 6 entrées, choice of 2 sides and comes with a honey cornbread muffin and a fresh, mixed greens salad. I ordered MaSani’s signature dish, the smothered pork chops, with a potato medley and sautéed spinach, curious to see exactly what made it “gourmet.” I wasn’t disappointed. A gorgeous salad arrived first. It looked like a piece of art and was seasoned with a tangerine honey dressing. The greens were tender and fresh, as if they had just been picked. My pork chop entrée was delicious. I couldn’t tell you --and neither will Chef Harold – exactly what ingredients he used for the “smothered” part. It will suffice to simply say it was a mouthwatering blend of ingredients (sage was one) and spices mixed with peppers with onions; I would definitely order it again.

Ditto for the spinach. Fresh and sautéed in butter with onions, the spinach is the most popular veggie on this menu. The potatoes were fried with green and red peppers and onions and were delicious. The cornbread muffin had just a hint of sweetness to it. Even the iced tea was extra tasty. I don’t usually like flavored teas but MaSani’s tea is specially brewed with ginger and cinnamon; it isn’t overpowering like many flavored teas and compliments the food quite nicely.

Other popular menu choices include the Pan Seared Fish Filet (catch of the day changes daily) topped with a Thai sweet chili sauce, Pan Fried Cabbage, and Sauteed Yellow and Green Squash. Lunch prices range from $8.95 – $15.95 and Dinner Entrees are $12.95  - $32.  

Dessert: MaSani’s own Earthquake Cake is a richer version of a German Chocolate cake. All desserts and pastries are made from scratch and filled with “love and passion.”

The Drinks: No alcohol can be purchased here, but you may bring your own bottle. There’s $10 pouring charge.

For Something Special: For those who want something different from traditional catering, MaSani can create an intimate dinner for 2 or a dinner party for 6-10. They can plan everything from the menu, decor and flower arrangements to having an on-staff professional jazz musician, Michael John Marx Jr. play.  

Hours: Tue – Fri: Lunch 11 a.m.  – 3 p.m.; Dinner 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sat:  Lunch 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Sun Brunch 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

915 Cobb Parkway North, 2 Miles North of The Big Chicken. (678) 598-2121.