"Tequileria Maya" By Richard Sandoval Opens On Upper East Side Late-May

In celebration of its 15-year anniversary, Chef and Owner Richard Sandoval will redesign his flagship restaurant-Maya-and open a new tequila bar next door.

Tequileria Maya, a bar and lounge offering over 100 agave-based spirits and 30 house-infused tequilas, will open next door to Chef and Owner Richard Sandoval's flagship restaurant Maya in late-May to celebrate the restaurant's 15-year anniversary. Maya will also undergo an extensive redesign closing on May 14, 2012 and re-opening in conjunction with Tequileria Maya in late-May.

"I launched my career with Maya 15-years ago," says Sandoval. "In celebration of this milestone, I'm opening the festive Tequileria Maya next door and taking the restaurant to the next level, too. We're going back to basics - no bells and whistles, no theatrics - just quality, authentic ingredients prepared skillfully, and served in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere."

Inspired by traditional Mexican Tequilerias, the Tequila Bar at Maya will be a warm and lively neighborhood spot where guests will gather to sip Mexico's favorite spirits-tequila and mezcal. Its extensive collection of over 100 agave-based spirits will be offered neat and in hand-muddled cocktails made from a selection of 30 house-infused tequilas. Guests will also have the option to buy and store a bottle, or a few bottles, at Maya's Tequila Bar. This flexible, personalized version of bottle service allows guests to return whenever they'd like, to sip from their bottle. Tequila bottle storage is free of charge. A menu of small plates, prepared by Maya, will also be available for guests to share.

The newly designed Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen will feature a chic, earthy aesthetic infused with the warm, inviting, and celebratory Latin hospitality Sandoval's restaurants are known for. The menu will reflect the vibrant flavors of Sandoval's native Mexico. "Soulful cuisine and familiar flavors bring people together so I'm adding a new section to the menu where we'll offer cazuelas, like the Creamy Chipotle Chicken, specially created for a group dining experience," says Sandoval.

A selection of Tacos will also be added to the menu showcasing traditional flavors with Sandoval's personal, creative, take on the recipes including options like Fried Chicken with Pickled Cabbage, and Smoked Brisket with Habanero and Avocado. Favorite signature dishes such as Butterflied Filet Mignon Tampique?a and Mole Enchiladas will continue to be offered following the redesign. There will also be a menu of guacamoles with selections like Tuna Tartare, and Chicharrones with Heirloom Tomatoes.

Tequileria Maya and the new design of restaurant Maya will debut in late-May 2012. Tequileria Maya will be open Monday-Saturday, 5pm-11pm; Sunday 5pm-10pm. Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen will be open Monday-Thursday and Sunday, 5pm-10pm; Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm.

For more information, or to make a reservation, please call 212.585.1818, or visit www.RichardSandoval.com/MayaNY, www.facebook.com/MayaRestaurantNYC, or www.twitter.com/RestaurantMaya.

About Maya
Maya is Chef and Owner Richard Sandoval's flagship restaurant located in New York City's Upper East Side neighborhood. For its 15-year anniversary in May 2012, Sandoval is opening an adjacent bar-Tequileria Maya-inspired by traditional Mexican Tequilerias. Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen will also debut a warm and inviting new design and updated menu featuring skillfully prepared authentic Mexican flavors with a contemporary flare. Maya is part of a larger family of Contemporary Latin Restaurants conceived by Sandoval. For more information, call 212.585.1818 or visit www.RichardSandoval.com/MayaNY.