Where We're Eating, Where We're Drinking, Tastemakers MeetupsCharlotte BergerMay 02, 2022

Maya

Where We're Eating, Where We're Drinking, Tastemakers MeetupsCharlotte BergerMay 02, 2022

By Emma Waugh, CharlotteBergerPR and @girleatseverything

One of the very last Tastemakers events before the pandemic first hit in March 2020 was at The Macintosh, which has since been transformed into Maya, a new coastal Mexican concept from the Indigo Road restaurant group. The interior of the restaurant is beautifully decorated, but the real scene-stealer is the back patio. Between the rattan hanging light fixtures, lush plant walls and my personal favorite, a swing made out of a vintage couch, we felt like we had been transported to an all-inclusive resort in Tulum.

Upon arrival, our group raised a toast with the Guava Cava cocktail, a frozen blend of tequila, sparkling wine, guava and orange blossom. This drink is made even more delicious by the fact that $1 from each one sold until May 14 will benefit The McConnell Foundation, which supports pediatric cancer research in Charleston.

Our team was lucky enough to preview the new #MayaLive experience, which lets diners behind the curtain as Executive Chef Brett Riley prepares a variety of specials on the patio every Friday. Chef brought us several different seafood crudos including scallop, yellowtail and snapper, as well as a spicy shrimp Aguachile. Alongside these small plates, we also shared heaping trays of housemade tortilla chips with salsa mesa and guacamole, a staple at any Mexican restaurant.