If you thought Ted’s Maya could only make amazing cocktails, you were very mistaken. Their food is just as good, if not better. Today I wanted to highlight their cornbread. This is such a quintessential southern food, that most overlook its intricacies and are content with mediocre fare.
Maya pushes the cornbread envelope. The “side” cornbread served a la carte and with their dinner entree items is literally the size of a slize of Christian’s Pizza…ok not AS big, but almost. One look at this sexy number and you immediately noticethe crisp top, slightly burned bottom, and perfect moisture consistency inside the bread.
It is all too often cornbread comes out dry and makes you feel like a chicken, and somehow, Maya uses the best dam recipe ever. While it isn’t overly oily, it sure is even tastier with a spread of butter.
I now dream of Maya…
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Tagged as: Charlottesville, Maya, southern food, Ted
Ted cooks too?!
Maya is one of these places where I often hear great things, but I have not had very good experiences there food or drink wise. I’d happily give it another try, but when I suggest it, most (including ‘villain friends) want nothing to do with it.
These types of reviews tend to dot all the posts and comments re: Maya.
What gives? B/c now we’re talking about both consistently good and bad reviews since opening day.
@2: regarding Maya…
the kitchen staff they have now and have had since late spring is very different than the one when they opened.
maybe try it again, Tuffy. also- the way the menu is like a choose your own adventure, make sure ya’ll think about what you are putting together.
and definitely get dessert.
I heard the recipe they used for the Hoover was pretty good, but the recipe for Three Gorges over in China is definitely the best so far.
i had dinner there recently and was completely floored with the food…definitely ranks among top 5 restaurants in cville. look forward to your review coco
thanks for the spelling check
/going back to school
yep that cornbread is goo-ood.
I haven’t tried the cornbread yet, but I can vouch for everything I have had. Maya is definitely on our short list for places to eat out. And I’m pretty sure their Peachtini is my wife’s favorite drink in town.
Last time we were in we had some great fried oysters, a tender, tender tenderloin (butter knife tender), and a funnel cake for dessert. Funnel cake! Seriously.
Give Maya a try if you haven’t. Also, Downbeat Project should be rocking tonight (first Fri of every month).
This has made me decide to get dinner over there tonight. I’ll try to remember to report back. I’m thinking Pork Loin w/ Carolina BBQ Slaw, CornBread, & Sweet Potato Fries. And now I’m going to think about it all day until it is set on the table in front me.
It’s going to be a long day.
//and Racer5!!
how was maya, donk?
They have a preternatural fly problem there. It’s like dining in sub saharan Africa. I worry about elephantiasis. Overpriced and have been 5 times over the course of time. Attentive service and willing to fix mistakes and very friendly owners. Not picky by any means but way too much money for what you get imho..and really the fly thing.
i agree the menu pricing is a little on the high side, but the quality stifled that argument quickly. i didn’t notice any flies when I was there (i hate flies), but the patio is home to a couple mozzies.
there are a couple other places in town with a fly problem, and i just don’t get it.
/equally freaked out about flies
i went there once and had fried oysters, collards, and mac ‘n’ cheese. it was all excellent - i would go there again. wasn’t too pricey - we just did apps and sides and had pleanty of leftovers. all three were some of the best versions of each i’ve ever had.
there were some flies on the patio, but i can deal - makes me eat faster!
that does sound tasty. i think a good, well-priced, dinner for two involves one entree and a couple sides. It is more than enough food for even the hungriest of animals.
Ok… reporting back. I ordered exactly as above, and it was a great meal. The cornbread was very good, but I think the sweet potato fries stole the show for me. My date got the ribs, greens, and red rice w/ chorizo. The ribs were surprisingly good; and the greens didn’t disappoint either.
Our server was attentive and lent some helpful advice to us while choosing our dishes.
Yes… there was a serious fly problem. At any given time, there were 4 or 5 flies touching down on the food or drinks, and it started to feel like a game of whack-a-mole. Honestly though… are they expected to control the airspace around the restaurant? That part was annoying, but I don’t know if it I would consider it their fault.
My only true issue was that my tenderloin was cold, while nearly everything else that was brought out was nice and hot. Maybe I missed something, and it’s supposed to be cold. I just chalked that up to poorly timing when to cook/heat the tenderloin in relation to the other dishes. Of course, all dishes were brought out at the same time.
//The fried green tomatoes on a bed of pimiento cheese and a crown of red onions…. wow. Incredible.
they serve fried green tomatoes??? yes please!
Maya is great. I’d say it’s on the list of maybe 5 cville restaurants where you can count on the food being consistently well done.