Loose the background for now. As already mentioned the logo should be able to stand alone on a white background. If it looks good on it's own, it will look good with any bells and whistles you may want to add as a background later. Get the MASC incorporated and you should be cook'n with the hot sauce. .
I say no color, the best logos are simple but eye catching, IMO. I would just make the white portion of the design transparent so it takes on whatever background it sits against.