Fighting the Sunday scaries and craving a peaceful end to the weekend, I recently decided to treat myself to a meal out on a quiet weekend night. Looking for a cool spot within walking distance of my apartment complex on Roosevelt Brown Boulevard, I excitedly made a dinner reservation for Maya. This restaurant offers — as their website describes it — “elevated Southern comfort food and seasonal ingredients in a comfortable intimate atmosphere,” so I went to put that claim to the test.
Maya is located in an unassuming spot across from the Charlottesville Amtrak station near Public Fish & Oyster and Orzo. The restaurant is open for dinner service seven days a week from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the bar open until midnight Thursday through Saturday. Reservations at Maya are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. The restaurant offers an early bird special every day from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and pick up and delivery options are available Monday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Opened in 2006 by co-owners Christian Kelly and Peter Castiglione — accomplished Charlottesville chef and restaurateur, respectively — Maya’s namesake was inspired by Kelly’s daughter, and the restaurant served as a way for Kelly to move back toward his roots with farm-to-table service…