Feb. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Masa, one of America’s priciest eateries, is offering a discount of sorts amid the recession. Low fuel prices are behind the price drop.

The set menu at Masa Takayama’s three-Michelin-star restaurant at Manhattan’s Time Warner Center fell to $400 from $450 two weeks ago, marking what could be the first time the sushi temple has ever cut its prices. The cost of dinner at the 27-seat venue has risen since its 2004 debut, when a meal was $300.

Veda Nishikawa, Masa’s business manager, said his freight costs “pretty much” fell by half and that he wanted to pass the savings along to diners. Masa flies in its fish daily via Japan Airlines.

Global air shipping costs are falling as crude oil prices, from which jet fuel is derived, have plunged 69 percent from a record $145 a barrel in July. A global falloff in air freight volume has also caused carriers to cut shipping prices.

“It’s not fair that we make that extra profit for no reason at all. We’re not greedy people,” said Nishikawa. Dinner for two, after drinks, tax and a 20 percent “house charge,” will still cost over $1,000.

Restaurants throughout New York have been offering so- called “recession specials” to lure thrifty diners, but Nishikawa said the cuts were “not at all” related to the economic slowdown.

Nishikawa said Masa is still planning to open a Las Vegas restaurant called Shaboo in December, where prix-fixe dinners will “absolutely” cost more than at Masa.

To contact the writer on the story: Ryan Sutton in New York at rsutton1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: February 27, 2009 00:01 EST