Mas - Charlottesville

There’s a reason this place is always bustling! It's a whole new experience now that they accept reservations. Since we didn’t have one, we ended up at the bar this time, which was a bit too chaotic for a relaxed conversation. However, I can’t complain about the food! The patatas bravas are always a favorite of ours, and the Rioja wine is fantastic. I wasn’t as fond of the sangria, though. You can't beat the bread and olive oil—there's just something special about that Spanish olive oil. I wasn't thrilled with the flavor of the albondigas (meatballs); to be honest, I expected something different based on the menu description. The halloumi cheese was unique and delicious! Its sauce was unexpectedly a bit sweet. The shrimp was superb, and the sauce elevated it beautifully. Overall, we had another amazing meal at Mas!

The restaurant has been beautifully renovated, offering both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff was friendly, professional, and very helpful when it came to ordering. The entrees were expertly crafted, featuring a diverse range of options from seafood to meat to vegetarian dishes. We also enjoyed the delicious bacon-wrapped dates as an appetizer. This is a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to Charlottesville, and it’s a delightful gem for those of us who live here. Bon appétit!

With the onset of COVID, they started accepting reservations, which I appreciate. I've had to wait over an hour for a table before because it's so worth it, but I'm thrilled that I don't have to do that anymore. Just keep in mind that reservations tend to fill up quickly, so make sure to plan ahead. My go-to dishes include the carne asada (racion portion), papas bravas (tapas portion), artichoke dip, and the bacon-wrapped dates. On my most recent visit, my family also tried the paella and cheesecake, both of which were delicious. If you're not really adventurous with food, I suggest ordering a couple of tapas portions to start and then getting more of whatever you enjoy—it's the same price for two tapas as it is for one racion. Beyond the fantastic food, the service is always friendly. Although the restaurant is busy, the service is efficient, and your meals typically arrive in batches, so you can enjoy them together. They have a small parking lot, but there's plenty of nearby street parking, which is convenient. Plus, Mas is located right by the "I Love Charlottesville A Lot" sign, which is worth a visit. I highly recommend checking out Mas—it's one of Charlottesville's hidden gems!

Had a great dinner at Mas Tapas last night. All the dishes we tasted were delicious! I especially liked the lamb and beef burger. The service was friendly and efficient and the portions are generous. This was our first time, but we definitely plan to return.

We had the mushroom risotto, the clams, some egg/dough thing in really thin layers. I forget what the names were on the menu...but the food was AMAZING. We also had amazing seasonal cocktails, Mas has the rare quality of elevating cocktails to be special and interesting as opposed to 'just ' using fancy ingredients.