From our friends at Masa 14...
Celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval and Partner Kaz Okochi are pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Ratino as the new chef de cuisine of their Latin-Asian inspired, shared plates restaurant, Masa 14, located at 1825 14th Street, NW. Ratino brings an impressive array of experience and a progressive American culinary style to the restaurant’s kitchen this season. He is passionate about building relationships with local farms and purveyors to source the best artisanal products available. New additions to Ratino’s fall menu include: Strip Loin & Bone Marrow, black garlic-marinated beef strip loin, roasted beef bone marrow with red grapes, pickled onion petals, grilled maitake mushrooms and chimichurri; Crispy Pig Tails, cured & confit pigs tails with Sriracha, honey, lime, toasted peanuts and scallions, as well as Pumpkin Soup with green apple and Chinese cinnamon, whipped curry crème fraîche, toasted pumpkin seeds, house made red chili oil and green onion.
Ratino began his culinary career at the Bull and Bear at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, and at the Old Hickory Steak House, before graduating from the Le Corden Bleu in 2011. Most recently Ratino served as the executive chef at the acclaimed L’Auberge Provencale in White Post, Virginia. Here he was responsible for the daily operations for the award-winning inn and its restaurant; the in-room dining program, off-site picnics, as well as overseeing the expansive orchard, vegetable and herb garden for incorporating produce into his seasonal menu.
Ratino launched his culinary career upon graduation from Le Corden Bleu in Orlando, Florida as a junior sous chef at Shula’s Steak House at the Four-Diamond AAA award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, before transitioning to its Bluezoo restaurant. During his three year tenure at Todd English’s Bluezoo, he was quickly promoted from sous chef to chef de cuisine and then executive chef and the restaurant was named one of the “10 best foodie spots in Orlando” by USA Today. Following his passion, Ratino then moved to New York City to accept the position as executive sous chef at the Michelin one-star restaurant Caviar Russe, which also earned three stars from The New York Times. His fast track career also includes a stage at the one-star Michelin, Wylie Dufresne's WD-50 in Manhattan.
Masa 14 is located at 1825 14th Street, NW. Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 5 PM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday from 5 PM to 11 PM. The rooftop level is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 PM to 2 AM, Friday and Saturday from 5 PM to 3 AM with a late night menu available Friday and Saturday from 12 Midnight to 2 AM. An unlimited prix fixe brunch is available Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM on all levels. For reservations or additional information, please call (202) 328-1414 or visit www.masa14.com.
