Max

[Stone]

A friend and I went to Max last week and had a very nice evening. I first heard of this place from a Europhile a few years back. She lived nearby and said that it was her favorite restaurant. However, she had an unnatural affinity for any place filled with young, European men, so I took her recommendation with a grain of salt.

 

The restaurant regularly gets good reviews, and I've often seen it referred to as the best, reasonably priced Italian food in the village. The staff usually gets labeled as "arrogant". Go figure.

 

I found the staff to be generally friendly, but they had an attitude that they were hanging out in the restaurant for their own pleasure, but were willing to wait on the tables as a favor to a friend. This didn't affect our evening. The restaurant has a smallish front room, a middle bar section and a larger back room. We were first seating in a middle table in the front, but it soon became apparant that two tall people would not fit. In fact, as my friend sat down, the woman behind her made of point of moving her own seat back from her table, so as to firmly establish her space. When my friend noted that they would have to share the space, she was reminded by the other that, "I was here first."

 

We moved to eat at the bar, which was very pleasant and probably offered the most room in the restaurant. The bartender was kind enough to move the large jug of sangria so we would have more room.

 

We started with the caprese salad and the grilled vegetables. Both were very good. The caprese had a large portion of fresh, tangy buffalo mozzerla, and tomatoes that were suprising tasty for this time of year. The grilled vegetables were excellent, with a large portion of large, sweet red peppers.

 

For the entree, I had the cod special, which was served with a tomato, caper and olive sauce. I usually avoid this sauce, as I find the olives and capers too strong, but thought that I'd give it a try. The olives and capers were a little too strong, but that's more my preference than a criticism. The cod, however, was wonderful. I love the texture of cod and, although many find it bland, I think it has a terrificly clean flavor. This was served with a large portion of endive hearts, grilled.

 

My friend had the gnocchi in marinara sauce. The gnocchi were qood, but nothing to rave about. I thought the sauce was too sweet, but my friend loved it.

 

For dessert we had the creme brulee. A nice portion. I didn't love it. The flavor was muted, and the sugar on top not well caramelized.

 

I don't recall the wine we had, but it was very good.

[Wilfrid1]

I have always ignored this place, as I have had too many bad experiences with charming Village Italians. Should I change my mind? Not sure from the report.

[omnivorette]

We were talking about this last night at dinner. Apparently the same people who own Max also own In Vino?

 

Anyway it was the consensus at the table that Max is the best of its category - inexpensive casual little Italian places in that neighborhood.

[bonitobroth]

The same people that own Max also own Supper -- they've got pretty much the same menu.

[omnivorette]

Also Max Court in Cobble Hill.

[marcus]

I have always ignored this place, as I have had too many bad experiences with charming Village Italians.  Should I change my mind?  Not sure from the report.

Only if you go with the most limited expectations. Il Bagatto is much better.

Edited May 13, 2005 by marcus

[Steve R.]

Also Max Court in Cobble Hill.

Max Court is gone. The partners either had a falling out or one moved out of the area (depending on who you listen to). At any rate, one of the partners (not the one who owns the Manhattan places?) changed the name to Fragole last fall. Reports from the neighborhood are ok, but nothing special. Nice outdoor area in the back, but many neighborhood places have this these days.

[omnivorette]

Ah, didn't know that.

 

(Okay, Steve, rub my un-Brooklyn-ness right in some more)

[Steve R.]

But of course. You move on up to the east side and that's what you get!

[omnivorette]

Yeah, tell me about it. Waaaaaah. Waaaaaaah.

 

But hey, I can walk to El Barrio. Nyah nyah nyah.

[juuceman]

i'm not big on Max.. nothing special.. don't really enjoy their food, nor the service, attitude, etc..

 

in the area, i've like gnocco and lavagna much more, and returned to both multiple times..

 

i'll say it's better than il bagatto, but in my opinion, that's not a compliment..

[Steve R.]

i'm not big on Max..  nothing special..  don't really enjoy their food, nor the service, attitude, etc.. 

 

in the area, i've like gnocco and lavagna much more, and returned to both multiple times.. 

 

i'll say it's better than il bagatto, but in my opinion, that's not a compliment..

Which reminds me.... before I got sidetracked into a "dont you miss Bklyn" tangent , I was going to mention that I dont think any of the "Max" places are that good. I agree that Gnocco is definitely better. Since I'm more of a Bklyn frame of reference guy, there are at least 3 small Italian places in the immediate area that I like(d) better than Max on Court (Casserta Vecchia, Savoia, & Frankie's). I cant believe it can be seen as a "best of... inexpensive casual Italian" in any neighborhood.

[jsh]

I've not been to the E Village Max, nor am I up on the "inexpensive Italian in the East Village" genre, but I have had two very decent dinners at the Max in Morningside Heights. Fit the bill quite well - pasta and a bottle of wine (maybe salad? can't remember) - cheap - cosy surroundings - I don't remember what I ate either time so nothing memorable but everything was just fine. I don't spend much time in that area either, so not sure if there are other options for inexpensive-near-Columbia-Italian. Unless I find out about better choices, I'd be happy to go back to that Max again when I'm in that area and looking for that category of restaurant.

[ranitidine]

Excuse me--an Italian named Max?