Maya
Yucatan Spirit in the Heart of Sonoma
Sonoma, California

Walking from The Hidden Oak Inn to the Maya Restaurant we had no idea how we would feel on the way back that evening after a meal that was to be a new experience for us. After you see the amount of food we consumed, you'll have a better idea of how we felt! This restaurant that I originally thought would be standard Mexican fare, turned out to have a Mayan/Yucatan cuisine. This type of food was new to us and it was great to try something different. We were greeted and seated by our hostess Lorea. She explained that the business just opened in July '99 and has been greeted with opened arms by the community. After our meal we could see why!

Brian, our waiter, brought Mike a strawberry margarita and I stayed with my diet Pepsi. We had chips with both red and green salsa and then the house sent over appetizers. (We were told that even though we had not ordered them.....we just HAD to try some!) We started with (shown bottom to top) Ratitos (jalapeno masa chips/ sweet pepper & avocado pico de gallo). Next was Chilli Pasilla Relleno con Pollo (pasilla pepper filled with Maya chicken & herbs/ toasted pumpkin seeds/ creamy sesame seed salsa). And then we had Tlacoyos (Maya chicken & mole verde in natural tortillas de masa/ fried/ romaine, radish & queso fresco). And it was all delicious!

After all this, we started the main entrees! Mike had Maya Pollo Rostizado, spit roasted half chicken with a Yucatan spice rub, grilled vegetables with chili salsa and black beans. I had Lomo de Puerco, a grilled, achiote marinated, center cut pork chop with maple-balsamic demiglaze and mashed sweet potatoes with spiced walnuts & apples.

Mike chose to forego dessert but I picked Torta de Chocolate, a wickedly moist & dense chocolate torte with raspberry sauce. After nearly 2 hours, we managed to waddle back to the inn and fell into bed, feeling totally guilty for having enjoyed a meal so much!

This restaurant has the ambience and professionalism to show you a great time in Sonoma. They are located "On the Square" at 101 East Napa St. and their phone number is (707) 935-3500. Their website, Maya Restaurant is under construction. But keep checking back, it is a great place! Tell owners, P.J. and Craig Clark, we said "HI!"