Maison

The short version: the food is delicious enough to make up for some service bumps in the road, but not enough for five stars.
Party of 6. About half of us arrived early, which was a mistake. There is nowhere to stand inside and it was a brisk day. It was obvious to me which table we were waiting on to leave and I felt pretty awkward. This is is no way the fault of the restaurant, just more of a tip for future diners: arrive promptly on time for your reservation, not early.
None of our party had eaten at Ma (i)son before and we told our server that. As someone in the industry (which I didn’t mention) I certainly expected a little more grace. Information wasn’t exactly presented graciously or proactively. Example: Ma (i)son offers a family style option for parties. This was suggested to us and described as three appetizers, three entrees, and a dessert course. They were very gracious and accommodating when we explained that we did not need a dessert course (it was my birthday and we had cake at home) but didn’t explain that implied in family dining was that the items included would be chef’s choice. They made it work when we wanted to choose them specifically (there were definitely things on the menu people in my party wouldn’t eat) but the server’s reaction to our apparently audacious request was… off-​putting. To say the least.
2 of us BYOB’d, no issues there at all, with a very reasonable $ 5 corkage. Three of our party, however, are soda drinkers. Our server had difficulty hiding her disdain for the order of Diet Cokes and was very clear when she delivered them that the (tiny tiny) individual bottles were the last ones in house and that no more would be available. Did you know soda has an expiration date? I do, now. Two of the three expired in 2013, one in 2012, all lacked carbonation and the typical Diet Coke color. When something was said, they were removed from the table and the bill and flavored Pellegrino was offered (and did not appear on the bill), but there was never an apology. Coupled with the attitude, it left a sour taste in the experience.
Our food ended up being 3 appetizers and 2 entrees. After the first appetizer (a delicious burrata over dressed greens and grilled bread), we gathered our very messy plates and silverware to be replaced before the next course (I can’t help but pre-​bus). Our server could not hide her dismay and told us that while she would bring us fresh silver and sharing plates, we should be sure to hang onto them for the next two courses. Really? With a dining room that seats 20, in team service, at about $ 50/​person, you don’t have the time or the flatware to bring fresh settings three times? It wasn’t so much the fact that she wouldn’t, it was far more her attitude. I felt dumb and as though I was imposing on her time, neither of which are things I expect to feel as a guest.
The total meal, served family style, was far more food than expected. Not too much, but everyone in our party, some with hearty appetites, left full. The mushroom gnocchi was a true stand out, as was the arancini. Everything was delicious.
Are my complaints a little nitpicky? Yep, I’ll own that. I walked in as someone who works in a similar style restaurant full time, doing the same job, out to eat for a special occasion. At this price point, service should be pretty close to flawless and a guest should never, ever be made to feel ignorant or plebeian. To be fair, we were served about ⁶⁰⁄₄₀ by two servers and the 40% was absolutely fine and lovely.
tl;dr: delicious, but pretentious. Absolutely worth going, and I’ll go again, but I’ll temper my expectations for service.

I get that this is a small town and great restaurants are hard to come by, but quit fooling yourselves folks. This place is unduly cramped, underlit, and has horrible acoustics. I love quirky, odd places with limited menus (See: Brooklyn Fare), but if that’s what you’re shooting for, then do the food justice! I ordered the lamb tonight, and as a huge fan of lamb, I realize that ordering lamb at a restaurant has a bit of «Caveat Emptor.» What was placed in front of me was Campbell’s beef stew with a gamey aftertaste. It’s my fault, I should have known when they didn’t ask what temperature I desired my lamb at that I wasn’t getting a top shelf dish. At least the potatoes they served with it were undercooked! I poked around at it and found nothing desirable on the whole plate. The Salmon balls I was served for the first course were at least interesting. Slightly foul, but interesting. My wife’s dishes were both wonderful! The mussel toast and veal were both top notch. Service however is also entirely questionable. If you drop off a plate in front of someone and 30 minutes later it is untouched, you may want to inquire about why! They of course did not because institutional arrogance will dictate that if the majority of people are fooled, you don’t need to worry about people that actually know what a great culinary experience should look, feel, and taste like. I so wanted to like my experience at Maison, but unfortunately it disappointed in most aspects. We will look elsewhere in the future.

Fantastic from the moment we walked in! A very cool space in downtown Lancaster with an even better menu; add in flawless execution and you have one hell of a restaurant.
We started with the homemade burrata, which was incredible. The smoky greens coupled with the fresh mozzarella and flake salt… what a great combination! I ordered the mushroom gnocchi because it came highly recommended; my boy had the veal cannelloni. Both were outstanding. The gnocchi were some of the best I’ve ever had; perfect, pillowy clouds! Loved the veal, too, especially having a few bites to cut the richness of the truffles in the gnocchi. A perfect two dishes that we absolutely loved.
Service was great. We never had to wait for anything. It’s BYOB, which I actually enjoy, and there’s a $ 5 corkage fee (so reasonable!). Make reservations in advance, grab a bottle of your favorite and head here for an awesome date night!

My wife and I ate here last night for Valentine’s Day. There was a 4 course prix fixe menu for $ 85 a person, with 4 options in each course.
We started out with the burrata and beets, as well as the lyonnaise salad. The burrata was good, but the salad was great. Maybe one of the best salads I’ve ever had.
Second course was mushroom gnocchi and the bone marrow custard. Both were incredibly rich and flavorful. The gnocchi, again, was a personal best.
Third course was halibut with fennel slaw, and for me pork tenderloin with fried potato. The pork was easily the best I’ve had. Slow poached in milk and melt in your mouth tender. The halibut was moist and delicious.
For dessert we had the warm apple cake, and chocolate tart. Both came with salted whipped cream, and both were incredibly good.
Overall, we loved every part of the meal and can’t wait to go back.

As a party of 8 we learned that they would serve us family style. There were three entrees served and at least two appetizers and a salad, followed by two desserts. Entrees on the menu varied in price with $ 30.00 being average. We each had plenty to eat by taking a sample of each dish. However, when the check arrived each couple’s charge was @ $ 70.00 per person. The food was very good but we all thought the price was excessive.
We should have been more assertive in finding out how much the meal was going to cost. If we had simply been allowed to order from the menu we probably would have spent about $ 45.00 per person.
So — food gets 5 stars but subtract 2 for unsatisfactory pricing.

My first time at Maison. If you want fresh food served in a creative way, I recommend Maison. It is a small place, so be sure to have a reservation.

Ma (i)son has been on the top of our list of restaurants to get to for many, many months. The focus on hand/​housemade, local, farm driven fare prepared with thought and skill in a beautiful refined rustic backdrop was enough to stimulate our interest. Then the NYT piece on Lancaster published spotlighting this beautiful restaurant. After our move here in late summer local (restaurant) industry friends praised it and nothing but positive sentiments were expressed from those we know who have dined or worked there. We finally had the great pleasure here of dining at Ma (i)son last night.
Reservations were simple and straightforward to make using the online system. I love when restaurants have this as an option. We arrived promptly at our selected time and we were seated shortly after arrival. As it is BYOB, which I also loved, we had brought our own bottle of cava. One of us wanted the still water, the other wanted sparkling so both were brought to us, but a lemon and/​or lime that was requested was forgotten. After looking at the chalkboard menu, and deciding that everything looked excellent we opted for the tasting which was priced at a very accessible $ 55. This would prove to be a great decision as we got to explore more flavors off the menu than we otherwise would have.
One sign of excellence at a restaurant is the bread and butter and Ma (i)son’s b+b was one of the most memorable I have had in a long time — not because it was anything unique or different, it was simply extremely well made with high quality ingredients. Our tasting included: crispy trout croquettes, handmade burrata, Tuscan kale salad, hake and clams, and a wild boar ragu over polenta. Dessert was a delightful chocolate and hazelnut mousse. The hake and clams was my absolute favorite as it spoke directly to my New England heart, but everything… EVERYTHING…was outstanding. The food was beautiful and flawless.
If we are basing this review on the food and ambience alone it would be deserving of all the stars that could be awarded, however, in a dining experiencing particularly in a restaurant of this caliber, service matters too. Some would argue that it matters just as much. Let’s face it, mistakes happen and small things can and should be overlooked when the bigger picture is otherwise overwhelmingly positive. Mistakes happen but it is how mistakes are handled that makes all the difference.
Forgetting the lemon/​lime in the water is completely forgivable and understandable. It was a busy night and the servers had a lot to hold in their minds. The lemon for my water was not that important. I was perfectly happy with my cava and accompanying water sans citrus fruit. Perfectly fine. The one thing that soured the experience and prevented the experience from being as good as it gets is the fact that we were never offered coffee. Imagine having dessert whisked over to you, dropped off quickly, and never having the opportunity to place an order for coffee while the other tables around you are enjoying their lovely french presses with the intoxicating aroma of the contents filling the air. Even if they were probably just trying to turn the table, which was likely the case, I was looking forward to having coffee with dessert.
That said, we’ll be back. Ma (i)son is a true gem in Lancaster. We are so very lucky to have this wonderful restaurant in town. If you are as lucky as we were, you might even catch a Food Network celebrity dining a few tables away from you! Alton Brown spoke very highly of the gnocci. I wonder what he thought about brussels sprouts or the apple crisp he had as well. Only good things, I’m sure. Well done, Ma (i)son. Just remember my lemon and offer me coffee with dessert next time and all will be forgiven.

First time dinner guest at Ma (i)son & highly satisfied! I say dinner guest, because you truly feel like you’ve been invited to a chef’s home for an incredible meal. Our server, Christain, was excellent & very knowledgeable about the menu. We raved about all of our food & left completely satisfied. The gnocchi was the lightest I have EVER tasted. Delish. The rabbit croquettes were cooked perfectly & had such a flavorful sauce, I wish we’d ordered a second plate.
I have only good things to say! We’ll be back. Keep up the good work!

Why this place does not have five or even six stars is one of life’s great mysteries to me. I’ve been here at least half a dozen times; every meal, every time, was perfect. The chalkboard menu options are always delicious, it’s BYOB so I can drink exactly what I want, and it’s small. Come here before the hipsters discover it and ruin it!

We are in love with this place! Beautiful space, delicious food, sourced local ingredients, the love of what they do comes through. Highly recommended!

I want to love this beautiful, sweet, little place, but is just does not do it for me. I ate there last night for my 30^th birthday dinner. I was looking forward to it so much.
My partner and I both tried a $ 28 spaghetti dish served with crab and cauliflower. The crab and cauliflower were blended into a baby food style paste and served as the sauce in a light oil. The flavor was not great, the portion was gigantic and unbalanced and the presentation was ugly. I was very disappointed in the dish. I could make something much better.
Honestly — The Burrata is the only reason to patron this establishment.
And — If you are going to go, try a protein based dish — they succeed a bit more in this area. I’ve tried this restaurant 5 – 8 times, and although some dishes proved successful (20% of the time), I would say it overall doesn’t work and not worth the risk of your time and money. I don’t think I will go again =(

If I could, I would eat here every week just to taste what’s new on the menu. This will be some of the best food you will ever taste. Only downside is that the dining area is very small. The menu board is a little awkward for those sitting by the wall and having people hover over the table to read it, but it’s definitely worth every dollar. LOVE!

Great experience and this would be on our list for repeat visits if it was more local for us. The food was excellent and a great farm-​to-​table execution. We read comments about the service but our service was very good and exactly what we would want in a smaller, personal setting.
The cost is higher than some other farm-​to-​table/​BYOB restaurants but I guess this could be due to the fewer tables and need to maximize the revenue across fewer diners. An example is the corking fee ($ 5) which is a fee I don’t pay at some of our other favorites. I do expect to pay this in the larger city establishments.
To summarize, it is a great restaurant and dining experience.

FRESH!
That is the one word I would use to describe this place!
The couple of times I have been here I was pleasantly surprised. The menu changes frequently and they focus on what they can get fresh and what is in season. Everything that I have tried on this menu tastes like the chef walked behind the restaurant to a secret garden picked the vegetables and brought it into the kitchen for the dish he was preparing for me. Everything about this place is great.
The ambiance is intimate. Dimly lit with a rustic woody feel to it. The wait staff is very attentive and has a sense of pride about their restaurant. They are helpful and will point you in the right direction based on what you are in the mood for.
The food… delicious and did I mention fresh? Cause it is fresh! The style is a hybrid between country Italian and French. The dishes are rustic with a modern plating. The chef is creative and has a keen attention to detail.
The only minor issue I have with this place is it is BYOB and that is kind of annoying and if I am speaking frankly a little tacky for a place that is this classy. If they could just wrangle a liquor license and keep a few bottles of wine stocked, this place for sure would be a 5 star all the way.

Had a special dinner there with close friends…, because we were a party of 8 Leeann offered us an upstairs dining area. Our meal was awesome! Service friendly and timely. Taylor the chef made a lamb pasta dish we all loved. The meal was topped off with an apple pastry dessert… Yummy!
Only positive praise for the team at Maison. Our group expectations were exceeded.
Thank you to Leeann and Taylor

Visiting Lancaster and was delighted to find this place, great staff.
Great seasonal menu as it should be, all local produce and a local grower, fresh ingredients means excellent and delicious dishes.
We had the burrata and cockles as apps and for the main the pork belly was delish, and the Ravioli on the money.

I’ve had the pleasure of having several excellent dinners at Ma (i)son. I’m not sure why their are a few seemingly very negative reviews of this establishment, but can only assume that those writing these reviews must have felt that the pretentiousness they were expecting didn’t quite meet their standards. But, without making too many excuses, remember that this is Lancaster, PA. It’s not Yountville, CA.
I applaud the couple-​owning proprietors for keeping it simple and the menu varied. I’ve personally never had bad service there. Like many restaurants in Lancaster, they are BYOB for beers and wine, and there is a small bottle/​corkage fee. Yes, it is a bit «intimate» seating-​wise for those who fear invasion of their personal space. But, it is also rustic and charming.
It’s worth checking-​in to see what’s on the menu, especially if you have dietary restrictions (for instance, on one occassion I had the oxtail served with marrow in bone that was one of the most decadent and rich meals I think I’ve ever eaten that made my vegetarian-​girlfriend-​at-​the-​time cringe).
I will happily go to Ma (i)son again and again. It is a fine place to dine and a welcome addition to the rapidly improving Prince St. corridor. Especially fun to go to on a «First Friday», if you can secure a reservation.

Four stars for the quality of food and service; but minus a star for the food selection and I was only wow’ed by one dish. Really cozy and small location, but definitely a gem for a weekend away as a couple (Wouldn’t be too accommodating for a family)
I appreciate what they’re trying to do (local farm to table) and the service was friendly. I’m a pescatarian, and the night I went they had no non-​meat entrée options. Not a single one — fish, seafood, vegetarian…
The food we did order was very nice, especially the burrata appetizer with pickled persimmon, pomegranate seeds and arugula. The food is obviously fresh and carefully curated.
Note: Corkage fee for a bottle of wine is $ 5. Typical and not the end of the world, but FYI.

The food was great, although as many others have noted, the noise level was a bit of a challenge.
We started with the Artichoke two ways, which were deliciously prepared and all enjoyed. We also enjoyed the handmade burrata. Both are enjoyed with grilled bread which gives them fuller feel.
I had the crispy chicken and my other table mates enjoyed the flat iron steak and a slow roasted pork dish, which I think was the best of the group.
It is pricey and I don’t even want to talk about the «corkage» fee. That said, that is what drops this experience from 5 stars in my opinion.

Posted: 9÷18÷2015:
I see that I reviewed Maison two years ago. How time flies! I wanted to post an update, based on a recent meal there.
Not that there are any big changes to report, except that Maison seems to have improved. I wasn’t sure that was possible, but my meal was exceptional. An example: a tomato salad of impeccably fresh local heirlooms, on a slab of house-​made sourdough fried in olive olive, with a bacon and horseradish dressing. The bacon in the dressing was in minuscule dice and was blanched to lend a slightly smoky flavor; there was just enough horseradish to contribute slight pungency to the dressing. The dish was fantastic: fresh, well-​balanced flavors and textured, the dressing just the right complement to sour/​sweet tomatoes.
I also (really) enjoyed rabbit croquettes – crispy balls of rabbit deliciousness – and lovely, light gnocchi with corn, shishito peppers, and bacon.
In some other reviews, I noticed complaints about the corkage fee. Really? You’re complaining about a $ 5.00 fee that means your BYO wine is served and poured into real glasses that need to be washed, dried, stored, etc. Get over it: that’s a bargain! [And if you’re from out of town, there’s a very good liquor store at 2076 Fruitville Pike with a wide range of wines: it’s worth the trip.]
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Posted 9÷3÷2013:
There’s almost no point in describing my meal at Maison because you won’t be able to taste the same things I did. But there’s still value in regaling you with what I ate because these dishes beautifully illustrate the thinking — and, more importantly, the execution — of a talented kitchen. The overall quality of the experience at Maison is delightful.
First, the room: it’s small and intimate, cozy. Laid back and warm. A large blackboard dominates one wall. It’s hard to miss, and essential, since the menu selections are hand lettered in chalk. Expect frequent changes. One farm grows most of the produce that Maison serves and as much of the the rest of its provender as possible is bought locally.
These days, «fresh» and «local» are the starting points for many restaurants. But they’re not sufficient in and of themselves for a meal. How those ingredients are treated before they reach your plate, how they’re cut and dressed and cooked make all the difference between a great meal and one that fills your belly but fails to affect you beyond that.
I’m happy to say that the quality of ingredients at Maison is perfectly matched by the skill and imagination of the kitchen. My meal was a perfect example.
My first course at Maison was an elevated version of bruschetta: grilled, house-​made bread with a dense, well-​carmelized crust slathered with a dense, soft, creamy goat’s cheese topped with tomatoes and a poached duck egg. But not just any tomatoes: these were a glorious riot of chunks and halves of freshly picked heirlooms dressed lightly with extra-​virgin olive oil and salt. The dish was very simple, but what a smart (and delicious!) combination of textures, flavors, and tastes. Sweet, slightly acid from the tomatoes. Unctuous creaminess from the goat’s cheese and the duck egg. Richness from the yolk and olive oil, the crunch of salt or bread. Sometimes blended in a single bite, sometimes one flavor predominating.
My main course was pork, which is slow-​cooked pork, then pulled off the bone to form a thick cake that, when the top is browned and crisped, somewhat resembles scrapple, a local delicacy. It didn’t taste like scrapple, though: its richness was countered, beautifully, I might add, by chunks of beets and plums and crisped spaetzle made with tomato leaves. Again, there was that contrast of flavors and textures and balance of sweet, sour and rich.
By the time I was finished with my dinner, I was full — too full to try one of the desserts. Next time, though, I’ll save some room.
You probably won’t be able to taste either of those dishes on your own visit to Maison. But you should go and see what’s on the menu for your night. If you’re like me, you’ll find that you’d happily eat anything on the menu (and wish you could try every one of the dishes listed!). Know that you can order in confidence that the kitchen knows what it’s doing: the food is extremely well thought-​out and expertly prepared.
And a word about the service: the staff is extremely enthusiastic about the food and knowledgeable about its preparation. You might expect that the warmth you experience would over-​shadow the overall service. And you’d be wrong: service is expert and attentive.
Finally, be warned: Maison is BYOB. You’ll want to bring some good wine with you: the food at Maison deserves a vintage to match.