Masons Bar & Bistro

It looked promising from the outside. Inside, the surroundings were cosy and inviting. Shame the service and food let it down. I had chilli con carne, which was very disappointing. The rice was undercooked so much so that it wouldn’t even pass for al dente in Italy. The chilli itself was greasy and to top it all off, the dish had water at the bottom of it because the rice hadn’t been drained properly.
Now, moving onto the service. The waitresses were more concerned with gossiping at the bar then tending to the few tables they had for lunch service. It took a long time to get the bill and even longer for them to take my money — it was as if they didn’t even want it.
Overall, I wouldn’t be recommending this to anyone, and definitely walking straight pass. Go to the Hairy Fig down the road for an even better experience.
N.B. — Avoid.

Yummy food! I had a Chicken Caesar salad and my husband had a sweet chili chicken wrap. Both were great. Big portions. Great onion rings and steak fries too! Great service! Nice to have some non heavy food choices. I also heard the burgers there are fantastic!
Interior is pub-​like.
The wine selection was limited.

Great little eating place. Food is good and simple and plenty of it! The chips are awesome! Friendly staff and good service, highly recommend. Keep up the good work — keep independant businesses going!

Very decent pub style food in pleasant surroundings. Drinks and food menu is limited but there’s veggie options. Portions are huge which offsets the food being a bit pricey

Nice and quiet athmosphere, restrained interiorat first
I had the ceasar chicken salad there: the pieces of chicken were crisp outside and very juicy inside.
Worth a visit,

I have only eaten here once, why that is the case I am not sure… I had a great Toulouse Sausage salad, that was 3 years ago and I still remember it…

Excellent food, based on recipes from all round the Mediterranean, with a well-​judged wine list. Comfortable and informal ambience, attentive service. The meat dishes are usually reliably good.

If you are visiting York in the near future and enjoy excellent food get yourself down Fossgate, it’s got itself a few good restaurants down here, including this one «Masons Bistro».
If we had been a bit later we would have missed out as they would have closed to new diners (it would have been just after 9.30pm).
Previously a grocer’s shop it has retained its character and charm, it is still owned by the same family who ran it as a shop.
The décor is old style complete with farmhouse style tables and chairs. The owner comes across as slightly eccentric but in a pleasant and friendly way, the menu offered a good selection and choice but after seeing the specials board I opted for the King scallops which were excellent, my partner choose the Duck Comfit stuffed in cabbage leaves which again was excellent.
For our main course I again selected from the specials board and opted for the Sautéed Rabbit in a Brandy, mustard and cream sauce. My partner had the Lamb Kleftica which was also excellent.
We had a couple of bottles of wine with the meal and the total price was just over £90.00 which I didn’t think was bad bearing in mind the standard of food served to us.
I shall look forward to revisiting this place in the not too distant future.