Yeeks... hate to give a poor review from a place I have always thought was the best. But tonight at Mas, the food was sad. The garlic shrimp was a big bowl of popcorn shrimp floating in sauce- like probably 20 shrimp, where it should have been 4 or so nice jumbo shrimp. Sauce was okay but the garlic sauce I make at home kills this one. And that baby shrimp all curled in balls is so off putting. The lamb lollipops - the meat portion was a small as a nickel. I know lamb lollipops well and I know they are small but these were super super small. The tomato bread was inedible. It was more like Italian bruschetta than Spanish tomato bread which would have been fine but the tomatoes were smoked and it was like a whole bottle of liquid smoke had been poured on them. It left a film in your mouth that you couldn't get rid of. It was way way too smoky and also a disappointment that it wasn't traditional Spanish tomato bread. The octopus was good in itself but served on a huge bed of very overwhelming romesco sauce. It needed maybe 6-8 dots of that sauce along the rim, but the sheer volume of that very strong sauce just overwhelmed the delicate octopus. Each dish that was laid in front of us was so poorly presented and "off" from the beauty and unctuousness of what nice tapas should be and used to be here. The only good dish was a jamon and manchego on a roll- like a little sandwich. That and the wine were the only good parts of our meal tonight as what used to be my favorite tapas restaurant ever. .
Jessica Turner
I secured reservations well in advance for my bday dinner. I'm so glad I did! It was amazing! Everything we ate was absolutely perfect! We ordered 9 plates for 2 people and took home 4 to-go boxes! We definitely over ordered, but we wanted to try so many things! Tapas sizes are perfect for 2. I even scored a free dessert for my birthday! This place is in my top 3 best restaurants in Charlottesville. Can't wait to go back!The staff was friendly and efficient. Parking can be difficult to find, as it's all street parking.
What a difference great service makes. Engaged staff and interesting fusion flavor combinations and preparation approaches. I can highly recommend - and tell you to go on a week day to appreciate it the most - like keeping a secret all to yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meg E
We hadn’t been to Mas in a little while. The menu was slightly updated, and the food blew me away more than ever! That is consistency. Again, the patatas bravas were amazing. They had a kick to them, and the sauce is perfection. They were as good or better than the best versions we had in Spain. The grilled halloumi skewers were another favorite. The pan tomato was improved ~ absolutely scrumptious with the burrata and green sauce. Just wow! We preferred the artichokes to the Brussel sprouts. Bread and olive oil are always top quality.I love that you can now make a reservation. Can’t wait to come back!FIVE YEARS AGO: Just like being in Spain but without the Mediterranean. Everything is top notch! Save room for chocolate mousse. I'm addicted to their potatoes bravas. Our waitress was super! Get here early, especially on weekends. The line behind up to half an hour before opening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Patatas Bravas, Rioja Reserva
Romeo Sarmiento
Mas tapas earns my vote as one of top restaurants in Charlottesville. Mas accomplishes the ambiance, thrill, and fulfillment when it comes to dining. Keep in mind, you are paying for indulgence and decadence but if you prefer to keep it minimal, you can't go wrong with a whole serving of Paella and bread service.
The papas bravas turned out to be a bit salty for me. The roasted artichoke hearts were delicious. The service is great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Linda Canzanelli
It was our first time at Más. We quickly figured out how to order (it wasn’t explained). Plates come in two sizes. We ordered the smaller size but the portions were good sizes. We ordered four dishes for the two of us and we brought some food home. The pork belly sliders and the cauliflower were outstanding! The shrimp was tasty and garlicky, like we like it , but they were small shrimp and not as tender as we are use to. The artichoke dip was okay. All the bread was fantastic. The weather was perfect to sit on the patio. And the menu is so large we will definitely be back to try some of the other dishes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Anne P.
Mas has the BEST grilled shrimp ever. It's a very popular place, especially on the weekends. Get there early so you can sit outside. If you like cocktails, their basil martini is wonderful, but you can also order a pitcher of sangria that will keep you and your party pretty happy as well. Tapas can get expensive because you will want to order everything on the menu. The bread they serve with their pâté also delicious. There is something for everyone no matter what diet you are on too!
We arrived at 8:45 pm, they said the kitchen was closed. They where a little rude about it. On their website they stated they are open until 10 pm. Don’t go there expecting food after 8:30 pm. Very disappointing since we traveled from out of town.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Melanie Scott
One of my favorite restaurants, hands down. Worth every penny. Get the anchovies.Edit: just went here a second time and this place doesn't disappoint. Sydney was great and the bacon wrapped dates/lamb is to die for.
RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL MANAGER! ALEX on Saturdays! Is Alex a female cause she likes to bark at customers... I recently dined at Mas Tapas. We were placed at an awkward table b/c the table reserved for us had issues. Since we were seated in an awkward space, I went up to the host stand to see if we could sit in another area since there was ample open seating. As I'm speaking... Alex, their Saturday manager, cuts me off mid-sentence. She barked, "NO." at me, looked me dead in the face, and continued with her matters. I was stunned. Never have I been spoken to that way by service staff especially when it was completely uncalled for and unprompted. Your stress levels do not give you a pass to mistreat people. I've worked in the service industry before and I NEVER treated guests that way. If any team member did so, they would be fired. It was very clear that one of their younger servers (who was such a pleasure) felt so uncomfortable. He tried to make it right... which is why I believe we got a few free drinks. Alex never apologized... she continued to prance around like she's all that. Sorry to say, if you can't treat people with respect ESPECIALLY in the service industry... You are not all that and you have no business being in hospitality. Mas Tapas, the food was good but if your establishment doesn't have good people... your customers will dwindle.
Alexander Sharabaroff
A great tapas place! Good food and friendly service, chill outdoor seating. Great take on tortilla española and gambas a la plancha. Also try Sangria velvet cake. Manchego plate was so-so.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David M.
The food was to be desired while the service was rude. Our server was unresponsive to the mediocre quality of the food. We ordered three salads which we thought were different dishes and our server failed to inform us that arugula was the only the main ingredient. The meatballs were just chorizo with a few shreds of manchego when they were supposed to be a blend of beef and pork. We were obviously unimpressed and no one took the time to address any of the issues. Also who would have dried dates on a menu when figs are in season.
Not much needs to be said: incredibly delicious, exceptional veggie options, go here!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Patatas Bravas, Carne Asada, Broccolini, Roasted Tomatoes, Tuna
Yeeks... hate to give a poor review from a place I have always thought was the best. But tonight at Mas, the food was sad. The garlic shrimp was a big bowl of popcorn shrimp floating in sauce- like probably 20 shrimp, where it should have been 4 or so nice jumbo shrimp. Sauce was okay but the garlic sauce I make at home kills this one. And that baby shrimp all curled in balls is so off putting. The lamb lollipops - the meat portion was a small as a nickel. I know lamb lollipops well and I know they are small but these were super super small. The tomato bread was inedible. It was more like Italian bruschetta than Spanish tomato bread which would have been fine but the tomatoes were smoked and it was like a whole bottle of liquid smoke had been poured on them. It left a film in your mouth that you couldn't get rid of. It was way way too smoky and also a disappointment that it wasn't traditional Spanish tomato bread. The octopus was good in itself but served on a huge bed of very overwhelming romesco sauce. It needed maybe 6-8 dots of that sauce along the rim, but the sheer volume of that very strong sauce just overwhelmed the delicate octopus. Each dish that was laid in front of us was so poorly presented and "off" from the beauty and unctuousness of what nice tapas should be and used to be here. The only good dish was a jamon and manchego on a roll- like a little sandwich. That and the wine were the only good parts of our meal tonight as what used to be my favorite tapas restaurant ever. .
I secured reservations well in advance for my bday dinner. I'm so glad I did! It was amazing! Everything we ate was absolutely perfect! We ordered 9 plates for 2 people and took home 4 to-go boxes! We definitely over ordered, but we wanted to try so many things! Tapas sizes are perfect for 2. I even scored a free dessert for my birthday! This place is in my top 3 best restaurants in Charlottesville. Can't wait to go back!The staff was friendly and efficient. Parking can be difficult to find, as it's all street parking.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brussels Sprouts, Patatas Bravas, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Roasted Potatoes, Lemon-Goat Cheese Cheesecake, Gambas Al Ajillo
Excellent pulpo, patatas bravas, and mussels. Would go back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Patatas Bravas, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Grilled Octopus, Gambas Al Ajillo
What a difference great service makes. Engaged staff and interesting fusion flavor combinations and preparation approaches. I can highly recommend - and tell you to go on a week day to appreciate it the most - like keeping a secret all to yourself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We hadn’t been to Mas in a little while. The menu was slightly updated, and the food blew me away more than ever! That is consistency. Again, the patatas bravas were amazing. They had a kick to them, and the sauce is perfection. They were as good or better than the best versions we had in Spain. The grilled halloumi skewers were another favorite. The pan tomato was improved ~ absolutely scrumptious with the burrata and green sauce. Just wow! We preferred the artichokes to the Brussel sprouts. Bread and olive oil are always top quality.I love that you can now make a reservation. Can’t wait to come back!FIVE YEARS AGO: Just like being in Spain but without the Mediterranean. Everything is top notch! Save room for chocolate mousse. I'm addicted to their potatoes bravas. Our waitress was super! Get here early, especially on weekends. The line behind up to half an hour before opening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Patatas Bravas, Rioja Reserva
Mas tapas earns my vote as one of top restaurants in Charlottesville. Mas accomplishes the ambiance, thrill, and fulfillment when it comes to dining. Keep in mind, you are paying for indulgence and decadence but if you prefer to keep it minimal, you can't go wrong with a whole serving of Paella and bread service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Carne Asada, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Duck, Roasted Tomatoes, Gambas Al Ajillo
The papas bravas turned out to be a bit salty for me. The roasted artichoke hearts were delicious. The service is great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
It was our first time at Más. We quickly figured out how to order (it wasn’t explained). Plates come in two sizes. We ordered the smaller size but the portions were good sizes. We ordered four dishes for the two of us and we brought some food home. The pork belly sliders and the cauliflower were outstanding! The shrimp was tasty and garlicky, like we like it , but they were small shrimp and not as tender as we are use to. The artichoke dip was okay. All the bread was fantastic. The weather was perfect to sit on the patio. And the menu is so large we will definitely be back to try some of the other dishes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Mas has the BEST grilled shrimp ever. It's a very popular place, especially on the weekends. Get there early so you can sit outside. If you like cocktails, their basil martini is wonderful, but you can also order a pitcher of sangria that will keep you and your party pretty happy as well. Tapas can get expensive because you will want to order everything on the menu. The bread they serve with their pâté also delicious. There is something for everyone no matter what diet you are on too!
Restaurantji Recommends
We arrived at 8:45 pm, they said the kitchen was closed. They where a little rude about it. On their website they stated they are open until 10 pm. Don’t go there expecting food after 8:30 pm. Very disappointing since we traveled from out of town.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
One of my favorite restaurants, hands down. Worth every penny. Get the anchovies.Edit: just went here a second time and this place doesn't disappoint. Sydney was great and the bacon wrapped dates/lamb is to die for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bacon Wrapped Dates, Broccolini
RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL MANAGER! ALEX on Saturdays! Is Alex a female cause she likes to bark at customers... I recently dined at Mas Tapas. We were placed at an awkward table b/c the table reserved for us had issues. Since we were seated in an awkward space, I went up to the host stand to see if we could sit in another area since there was ample open seating. As I'm speaking... Alex, their Saturday manager, cuts me off mid-sentence. She barked, "NO." at me, looked me dead in the face, and continued with her matters. I was stunned. Never have I been spoken to that way by service staff especially when it was completely uncalled for and unprompted. Your stress levels do not give you a pass to mistreat people. I've worked in the service industry before and I NEVER treated guests that way. If any team member did so, they would be fired. It was very clear that one of their younger servers (who was such a pleasure) felt so uncomfortable. He tried to make it right... which is why I believe we got a few free drinks. Alex never apologized... she continued to prance around like she's all that. Sorry to say, if you can't treat people with respect ESPECIALLY in the service industry... You are not all that and you have no business being in hospitality. Mas Tapas, the food was good but if your establishment doesn't have good people... your customers will dwindle.
A great tapas place! Good food and friendly service, chill outdoor seating. Great take on tortilla española and gambas a la plancha. Also try Sangria velvet cake. Manchego plate was so-so.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was to be desired while the service was rude. Our server was unresponsive to the mediocre quality of the food. We ordered three salads which we thought were different dishes and our server failed to inform us that arugula was the only the main ingredient. The meatballs were just chorizo with a few shreds of manchego when they were supposed to be a blend of beef and pork. We were obviously unimpressed and no one took the time to address any of the issues. Also who would have dried dates on a menu when figs are in season.