Max Downtown

What a lovely evening- safe, convenient parking (included with a complimentary sticker for your parking ticket) in the same building as the restaurant. Beautiful decor and comfortable seating. Brendan, the manager at the host stand, greeted us with a sing songy welcome- which I LOVED. Our waiter, Jason, was patient, knowledgeable and kind. I had "High On Life" -a bourbon drink that was light and refreshing. Treated to a lovely olive oil focaccia bread, that stood well on it's own without the need for butter of doing oil. The Smoked Potato & Black Trumpet Mushroom Perogies were just charming-the date jam and Brie fondue elevated this side dish to a great starter for us. The Crispy Brussel Sprouts- with honey chili bacon glaze were some of the best Brussels I've ever had (and I typically order them if on a menu). A taste of the Shrimp Dumplings was received and that broth was very tasty. The Shave Cauliflower Salads Lemon Sumac Dressing needs to be bottled and sold- it was wonderful (and those almonds with apricots) We tried the Cod special (flavorful crisp skin and came with a delightful bean salad) and the Filet Oscar (perfectly cooked-and the lumps of crab and sauce) both were spectacular. Their pastry Chef had a wonderful plum cake with a flavorful ice cream, jam crumble and we tried the chocolate mousse- we brought quite a bit home and are looking forward to the leftovers. Highly recommend a visit and look forward to returning and trying some other dishes.

What an excellent dining experience. We stopped in before catching a show at the theater. For starters we had the pork belly which was served over white rice. The pork belly was so tender and delicious. It had a bit of a kick to it. For my entree I had the burger and my girlfriend had the pierogies. She absolutely loved them. My burger was cooked perfectly, the only complaint I had was the bread was a bit soggy and did not hold up well to the juicy and perfectly cooked burger. The service was really good. They took care of our drink orders and our food came out quick. We will definitely stop again when we go to the next show.

The waiter was the nicest, super attentive and the food came out fast. The food was delicious!!! Definitely would come back. Expensive but we also had two drinks each, apps, a meal with extra sides and dessert. Worth it!

Max’s Downtown anyone reliable Max Group owned dining experience. It was a timely visit as we went to another steakhouse the weekend before and in comparison the other steakhouse ranked higher in our book from a food perspective. But there are many reasons to still enjoy Max’s Downtown. - service - atmosphere - food options Overall it was great and j just love the atmosphere and every single person is always so kind. The French onion pierogi, baby gem Cesar, oysters and chicken were spot on! I want o explore their cocktail many a bit more next time.

I would give the food and mixologists 6 stars if I could. The drinks and food were truly amazing. The food temp was perfect. The presentation beautiful. The food flavors came through as fresh and lively. The drinks were unique and had crisp and subtle favors that were more crafted than mixed. Front of house team were welcoming from the moment we arrived. Table was ready perfectly on time. As we were walked to our table we had multiple wait-staff members welcome us with smiles. The wait staff on our table was mediocre at best. He did his job when needed but may have been having a rough day. I had a couple of moments where I had a desire to ask a heart-felt, "Sir, are you OK?" we saw other team members enjoying their tables. An unfortunate downer to the amazing atmosphere and decore.

We were very on the fence about booking this reservation as we did not want to risk having an expensive meal that was not worth it. Max Downtown was worth every penny. The service was top notch and more importantly all of the food was fantastic. We tried the lobster pierogi and crab tostada per our servers recommendations and both were fantastic. Don't skip the espresso martini, they are wonderfully dark and freshly made. It was refreshing to have a dining experience where the servers clearly cared about making your meal worth it. We will definitely be returning for our next special occasion.

We went to Bar Max across the street for happy hour. Fabulous cocktails in a beautiful space. Max Downtown was great from start to finish. Excellent service really elevates the dining experience. And the cherry on top was free valet parking!

Awesome dining experience. Phenomenal service. Arrived in town earlier than expected so I phoned in to check on our reservation. Busy night, but the hostess was gracious enough to accommodate 9 of us in their ample lounge/bar area to start with some drinks. Enjoyed a perfect sidecar. At dinner, we indulged in the Lump Crab Tostada for starters. Highly recommend. It was so beyond good that we ordered it twice. The Roasted Sea Scallops were deliciously delectable. An electric atmosphere fills this expansive restaurant, and the presentation over all was impressive. Drinks were a little slow at first but then the pace picked up. Understandable on a busy night. It was the first of three nights celebrating my wife’s birthday. The Chocolate Molten Soufflé didn’t disappoint! A big shout out to our waiter, Milo. He moves with a sense of urgency, attentive to every word being said, and carries himself as if he were the owner. Impeccable service.

5/5 experience Decor, food, service, professionalism Will def be back My only regret i did not go there before!

Max's Downtown anyone reliable Max Group owned dining experience. It was a timely visit as we went to another steakhouse the weekend before and in comparison the other steakhouse ranked higher in our book from a food perspective. But there are many reasons to still enjoy Max's Downtown. - service - atmosphere - food options Overall it was great and j just love the atmosphere and every single person is always so kind. The French onion pierogi, baby gem Cesar, oysters and chicken were spot on! I want o explore their cocktail many a bit more next time.

Perhaps a victim of their own success? We went on a Tuesday night, so assumed it would not be quite as crowded. We were wrong. The restaurant was packed by 5:30. Because the tables are so close together, the noise level in the dining room approached airport level. One could not have a conversation with the people at your table unless you shouted. Food was good though there were a few issues. Crab cake was excellent. Wedge salad was excellent. Scallops with miso glaze were excellent. Filet mignon was served dry. Practically required that you order one of their sauces. The cowboy ribeye had an excellent flavor, but was full of gristle and fat. Made it very difficult to eat and enjoy. Service was very good. Still a nice dining experience, but not for those who wish to have a quiet, romantic dinner. There are better places for that elsewhere.

I went here for happy hour and the food and drinks were so good. The bar tenders behind the bar were really nice. The food didn't take a long time to come out which was a plus. The ambiance was real subtle and nice.

So my boyfriend surprise me with a date here when we pulled up I was scared because he said I could wear whatever and on the website it says you cannot wear ripped jeans and we were both in ripped jeans lol nevertheless, they still were able to serve us and sat in the main dining area. The waitress was nice and kept it very professional. She wasn't personable. I do enjoy a more personable waitress, but nevertheless, still good service. It was pretty crowded but I enjoyed our dinner. We both got drinks and an entrée we didn't do any appetizers. My drink was smaller than I thought it would be but it was still very tasty and I got a salmon so you can't mess up salmon

Amazing food, with some great vibes and professional fun classy staff. Max downtown is the perfect place to enjoy, celebrate and lay back with a dozen oysters, a cold beer and wonderful company.

The food, service, drinks and atmosphere were just exceptional. Our server was delightful and engaged in wonderful conversation with us. Would highly recommend you make a reservation, we'll definitely be back. If you park underneath CityPlace, bring your ticket, they validate!

It's been a while and I am sitting in Max's right now. You guys know if I'm writing a review while in the restaurant, it's either really good or really bad. TLDR: Delicious. Service/Ambience: I booked the last available reservation 15 minutes before official closing and got there right on time. And they were not only courteous, but warm and inviting. From the hostess (she didn't tell me her name) to Abel (my waiter, so sweet) to the other staff who checked on me though I wasn't their table. Top tier service. Ambience is low lit, classic, think gentleman's club meets old world class. Food/Drink: The moment I sat down I asked for a drink recommendation--my lovely hostess gave me hers off the bat. So guess what I went with? HIGH ON LIFE: bourbon, lillet blanc, pumpkin, peach/rosemary garnish? Yeah, absolutely sold! Abel came through with the food choices: I couldn't decide on a starter, so he recommended the Crudo. But surprise, while that was being prepped: he brought out an amuse bouche. I know! I was shocked too, to the point where I had to call him and ask if it was a mistake. He brought out the lump crab tostada: avocado/tempura corn/aji salsa. Yes, ma'am. The crudo was fresh--I don't even know what the dressing/sauce was but it was tangy and delicious. The entree that I chose all by big girl self was the hanger steak special--medium and it came with an arugula salad and a fries. Now, I don't know if I was just really hungry or if the steak was that good because I FINISHED off that hanger and I haven't finished a steak in a VERY long time. And to add insult to personal injury--I also ate the tomatoes. I don't eat tomatoes y'all. It was so good! And then to finish it off, I wasn't going to order dessert--but once again Abel sold me on the crème brûlée and unfortunately but fortunately he did not lie. My stomach is paying for it because it is BULGING but my heart is currently happy. A deliciously crispy crust that did exactly what it needed to do. All that to say, this is my new favorite place in Hartford and I will be back. As always, happy eating and drinking. MarieMG

Max Downtown is just consistently fantastic. I've been coming here for years for lunch, drinks, dinner. I work in the building now and also order takeout a few times a month. You can't beat their service, their drinks, their creative dishes. When I dine in, I regularly order their specials because I know their regular menu so we'll (even though it changes every few months!). Hands down my favorite thing on their menu is the buffalo cauliflower. They lightly batter and fry it and the result is crispy, perfectly tender cauliflower, and the sauce is just perfection. Not overly greasy like some pleases serve, just the right amount of heat. I honestly have a hard time not ordering it every single time I go there. I often order two appetizers for dinner rather than an entree, so I can try more new things and save room for some dessert, because the desserts are also amazing. I was there with a friend tonight and we split appetizers including the ahi tuna nicoise tartare, a special fish and seafood chowder, the lump crab tostada, and the lamb merguez (basically a skinny lamb sausage). Every dish was a winner, with the standout being the lamb merguez. I have also taken my kids here since they were little and the staff has never missed a beat -- it's a nice restaurant so people think it's too fancy to take kids, but they welcome families. (Or at least families with kids who are used to dining out!) The photo below is from a Christmastime fancy lunch out with my then 5-year-old -- they brought him oysters even though they're not on the lunch menu (yes, he's fancy) and then the pastry chef also personally delivered to him a special gingerbread elephant cookie for dessert. They made his week. And if you have a special occasion, the staff will also go above and beyond to make it special -- just let them know.

Wanted dessert and their menu looked great. We were seated immediately and our waiter was fantastic. Ordered the Baked Alaska. It was the dessert of the Year. My taste buds woke up and thanked me. I can't wait to go again.

Upscale eatery where you can find classic American cuisine, and many businessmen & women who wander down from their offices in downtown Hartford to grab a bite to eat Have both a dining room and a large bar area I have been here for lunch twice, once in the dining room and once at the bar, and had very pleasant experiences both times. Everyone working here is very friendly and attentive There is a complimentary single piece of bread & butter. The bread is nothing special, but the butter is very tasty. It has olive oil on top of it, and little crunchy pieces of an ~unknown~ substances on top of it, which was a nice touch The food that I've gotten here was underwhelming the first time (I got steak frites that were over cooked), but that was delicious the second time (a caesar salad and a chicken gyro) They also have a complimentary coat check, as well as complimentary parking in the garage under the building

Came in for a Friday lunch with my husband. We had the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer. It was delicious and tasted nice and fresh. Then we had the steak frites from the lunch menu and he had the dry aged rib eye from the dinner menu. Also had a side of Brussels sprouts. The Brussel sprouts were really good. Our steaks were cooked perfectly to our liking. The server was attentive and friendly. A nice size crowd for a lunch and the restaurant was clean. I would definitely come back.

Came here for Happy hour and had a decent experience. There was a good amount of seating for happy hour including tables along with the entire bar. The drinks were only okay, the food was good. Pricey of course and i am not sure if the quality was aligned with the price in my opinion. Service was good though our waiter did appear slightly unkempt and malodorous. Ambiance is always lovely.

It doesn't get much better than this! I've visited Max Downtown plenty of times before but decided to visit for happy hour on a Thursday night. Arrived around 4:30/5pm and it was already packed! Just about every seat was accounted for. But I can understand why - they have great deals during hh. Our server Brett and the rest of the staff were awesome. Even though he was basically covering the entire bar seating area by himself he was still on the ball and went above and beyond to make our experience as good as possible. All smiles and good energy from everyone delivering food orders / clearing plates etc. Food was great, bourbon / whiskey selection is exceptional (with very fair prices on most pours), and the atmosphere was fun. I will definitely be visiting more often on the tavern side and not just for dinner in the future. *Parking is also super easy and they will validate your ticket as long as you use the garage under the building. The elevator will take you right up to the lobby so you don't even have to step foot outside.

A not so hidden gem for happy hour, the location and vibe are great, as people enter from the street and the building attached simultaneously. We sat at the bar where we instantly struck up conversation with regulars, and the bartenders. We shared oysters, shrimp, and fries, along with a few happy hour cocktails which were all excellent. It's Max's just go, and thank me later!

Service was amazing as always. Ambience and comfort is always uplifting. Burger was super juicy, full of flavor and cheese was absolutely the best with a bite of arugula. Bone marrow pierogi was great but I couldn't find where the bone marrow was introduced. Tuna Tartare def took the win. The bottom layer was crunchy, sweet and hint of salt, topped with tuna, absolutely amazing. I'll be back for the tuna tartare, very soon. I ordered the crab appetizer that was atop a crostini, I found the crostini so hard it just wasn't chewable. It was my second time ordering it and both times were not what I prefer.

Went to max downtown tonight for their happy hour. Couldn't have been happier. Happy hour runs from 4-6 and I suggest getting there as close to 4 as possible. We left right after 5 and it was standing room only. Our server, Will was top notch. He greeted us swiftly, took note of dietary restrictions and brought me a delicious virgin cocktail with pomegranate juice which I loved. I was there for the happy hour but he suggested the orecchiette pasta special which was not on our menu. I never would have tried it out otherwise and it was my favorite dish of the night bar none. I'll be back at max's just for that dish. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the mushroom sauce is so rich. 10/10 The whipped ricotta was beautiful but lacked salt. To be fair I had it without the prosciutto and I think that made a huge difference. If you don't eat pork maybe request extra balsamic. For dessert I had the baked alaska. It was flawless. The merengue is not too sweet and was beautifully toasted. The salted caramel ice cream was smooth and flavorful and the caramel core made the whole thing Instagram worthy. Our server urged me to pair it with a cappuccino and he was correct. The bitterness from the espresso went along with the caramel perfectly. I will be back at max downtown again in a heartbeat. The food was delicious, the service was great and the atmosphere was fun. 10/10. Don't know how this place wasn't already on my radar.

I frickin love Max Downtown - they have undoubtedly the best happy hour anywhere in central CT with amazing drink and food specials. It's crazy - you can get a bomb ass martini for $5 and small plates for like $6-$8, all of which are fantastic. Last time I went I had my classic martini with fries and it was top notch. Service is impeccable - they're so friendly and kind and I'm treated so well every time I go. The restaurant is gorgeous and they have good wifi in case I need to work at the bar. Would absolutely recommend, 10/10 for happy hour or anytime of the day. Love the Max group and Max Downtown is the shining star of the family

Found myself compelled to drop in again, so I moseyed downtown for another taste of brilliance. Got the Prime NY Strip au Poivre medium rare paired with some creamed spinach. Guinness to boot. The steak came out an absolutely perfect medium rare. One of the most tender, flavorful steaks I've ever had. Each bite was just pure opulence. And man, the hospitality is unmatched. Each visit has been masterful in every way. You guys truly make eating out a cherished experience.

Max's Downtown is a gem for those seeking a fantastic meal coupled with a wonderful atmosphere. The dining experience here consistently stands out, with both the food and service reaching commendable heights. Whether you're craving exquisite cuisine or a memorable ambiance, this restaurant proves to be a top choice for those with discerning tastes.

What an incredible experience! My daughter chose Max's for a girls weekend in Hartford for a gymnastics event at the XL Center. Such a beautiful restaurant with wonderful ambiance. We were seated in one of the smaller rooms facing the street with just a few tables. Our waitress was wonderful, attentive, knew all about the menu and the specials and was overall a joy to talk to. We started with the most amazing tuna tartare I've ever had. I followed that up with shrimp scampi that had the perfect al dente pasta and wonderfully cooked shrimp. My daughter had a filet that melted in your mouth. All in all a great dining experience.

When i am on the road (i live in New Jersey) and traveling within 50-60 mikes of Hartford i make the extra effort to go to Max Downtown I love the cultured sophistication the depth and character of the menu and the spontaneous genuine connections to my servers I have been to each of the Max restaurants No other city has the breadth and consistency of the Max Group Michael nissenblatt,md

4.5/5 Great service. We went for our anniversary and we're given a card and a free dessert. The staff were very welcoming and friendly and comped an item that we were not happy with. We ordered the lobster pierogi, the ribeye, the picanha steak. We also ordered the mac and cheese and the truffle fries. The steaks were cooked perfectly and were seasoned well. The pierogi and mac and cheese were good. The truffle fries were very oily and cold but the server graciously took it off our bill. Overall very very good experience and would definitely recommend it for any special occasion!

I love all the Max restaurants. My favorite is Max Fish in Glastonbury. I was really excited to try Max Downtown with my friends but disappointed. We have never met a bartender that was so condescending. This bartender was so rude to everyone. However, there was another young bartender that was fantastic and even apologized because of the other bartender's attitude with customers. There are so many places to visit. This was such a turn off so I'll unlikely go back.

Oh boy, definitely a place to go for something special. Place is pricey but so worth the money. My husband was ranting about the price and was not impressed with the appearance of his food. The Caesar's salad looked as expected but he was blown away by the taste and uniqueness of the dressing. His steak entree also looked normal to him, but he was surprised by the seasoned steak he said was just right and the potatoes were crispy by not dry. I had the lamb chops, they were cooked perfectly. We may not come here everyday, but this place is a definite "go to" for occasions.

Great steakhouse. Up there with the best. My second visit in 2 weeks. First visit I tried the NY strip. 5 stars. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly done. This time, I tried the Cowboy ribeye. It's good, but nothing special. Where the NY strip was an epic journey. Side dishes are nice. Absolutely nothing wrong with them, but then again, nothing epic here. The asparagus is not to be missed. Wine and bar are EXCELLENT. And so is service. I will return.

Great restaurant in Downtown Hartford. We were there for happy hour & dinner. Brett was an awesome server ! Had delicious steak & Cesar Salad . Super yummy cocktails for great price . Had buffalo cauliflower for appetizer on happy hour menu before dinner so we split the steak & Cesar and were stuffed. Go, you won't be disappointed

Max Downtown offers an upscale experience with fantastic food offerings. The atmosphere can be described as slightly upscale but still fun, inviting and relaxed. Our server Molly provided exceptional service by answering our many questions, offering suggestions and providing the right amount of attention to our needs. The drinks were excellent and inventive, just what we needed to relax before a show at the Bushnell. Now onto the food, the Ahi Tuna Tartare was delicious and fresh. The Whipped Ricotta Toast was light and sat atop a wonderfully toasted bread. The Sweet Potato Pierogi was pleasantly unique and flavorful. You can't go wrong with more tuna and the Seared Hawaiian Tuna was glorious and cooked perfectly. However the star of the show were the steaks. The USDA Prime Tomahawk was phenomenal and the Prime NY Strip Steak was not far behind it. They were both accompanied by a trio of dipping sauces but honestly the meat did not need them. Max Downtown is a great choice for any occasion.

Delicious, happening spot downtown Hartford. We came in on a Saturday night and we were able to snagged a table in the bar area for 4 people. Service was great- attentive, friendly, fast. We got some wine and tried the Old Fashioned, eh! Get that cocktail! Old Fashioned sweetened with maple syrup is something everyone must try! We also recommend the buffalo cauliflower. Everyone at the table said it was the best they ever had. Everyone enjoyed the complimentary bread, steaks and salads. A nice, high-end place for a great night out.

Subpar food, and remarkably bad service. I went with a party and will not make that mistake again.

I've been an occasional patron of Max Downtown for many years. While I've probably dined there well over a dozen times, this is my 1st review. It remains amazingly consistent, & adheres to foundational principles of upscale atmosphere, great service, and creative entrees. On service challenges we all have experienced in recent times and "inconsistency" that has sadly become almost the norm: Max's seems to be immune. Whatever they're doing to retain staff must be working. Anyway, food was very good (just short of great), and everyone in our party enjoyed themselves.

I am never disappointed with a visit here! I came in for a happy hour with a friend after work and was happy to see it bustling already with people at the bar. We got a seat at a high top table and were greeted right away. The happy hour menu had good food and drink options, I especially appreciated the buck a shuck oysters! My friend got a cheese burger and the happy hour price was only $7 which was a great deal. The $5 martinis are also pretty solid. Our waiter was extremely attentive and checked on us a few times. He was quick with service and also friendly. I definitely recommend a stop in.

Food and service were great, the bone in strip was incredible. I wish my date was as good as this restaurant, unfortunately she isn't

The food was good, but the service was really, really slow. And an odd thing happened while the waiter was finishing up taking our order... another worker came up to him and said pretty loudly "the valet needs your help, he's being attacked." And our waiter left the table. As two young girls it put us on edge for a bit, and we were kinda surprised it was never addressed or that we never got any sort of apology. I like some of the other Max location, but won't come back here.

My boss comes here all the time and says their steak is consistently good. So we came for his bday cuz he wanted to make sure the steak was good and not so so if we tried a new place. Well we ordered the sirloin which I enjoyed a lot and the filet mignon which he enjoyed more cuz it's less fat. Our Brussels and asparagus were good. With steak you don't need extra sauces and the simple salted steaks (all grass fed) were delicious. You can park by meter on the street in front. The ambience is nice and cheerful by steakhouse standards! One of the best steakhouses in the county!

Greg was an exceptional host, making sure my date and I were comfortable and satisfied. Fooshed our table and everything. The drinks were incredible, I drank the bourbon sour with the red wine float - Danny did an incredible job. Ambience was fantastic. Thank you!!!

I'd like to say our Valentine's Day celebration at the restaurant was fantastic but...I'm even struggling to give it a 3 star rating. This has been our go to place for Valentine's Day for 6 years as well as special occasions over the last couple of decades but last night did not represent what the Max's experience has been in the past. We arrived early for our 5:30 seating and we were seated promptly which was perfect. Our drink orders were taken pretty quickly as was our dinner order. The order included shrimp cocktail as a starter along with Caesar salads, surf and turf, and the rack of lamb. The dessert order was taken at the same time and we ordered the red velvet berry trifle and the chocolate espresso palette. The shrimp arrived to the table soon after but they were tough and not very tasty. The empty serving dishes were taken away and then we waited, and waited and waited for the salads to come out. Oops, someone forgot the salads but here were our entrees presented to us. The food runner asked if we wanted the entrees to go 'under the lights' and he would bring out our salads. We all know what happens if you put things back under the lights when they are ready, they dry out and become over cooked so we declined and just took our entrees. The server came to the table and we told him that the salads never appeared. He offered to send the salads home with us but we declined. The rack of lamb was cooked perfectly, ordered medium rare. It was flavorful and the accompanying black garlic braised lamb shank, tuscan kale, pesto glazed chickpeas, and harissa carrot almond romesco was a nice touch and very flavorful. The surf and turf was served as requested with the filet being cooked medium and the accompanying white/green asparagus salad and robuchon potatoes were a nice touch. The server did come back to the table to say that our bill would be reduced about 15% because of the salad mixup and the one drink ordered would be no charge. This was appreciated given that the evening wasn't going quite as expected. After our entrees were removed we asked for a couple of Cokes. And again we waited, and waited and waited. It wasn't until our desserts arrived, with some confusion on what we had ordered, that we had to request the Cokes again. The dessert issue got sorted out. We were getting additional desserts, 4 total, to make up for the way the evening was going. This again was a nice gesture. We ended up with the two desserts that we originally ordered along with baked Alaska and the honey cake. Of the 4 desserts the red velvet berry trifle (the best) and the honey cake were the most enjoyable. The chocolate express palette was on the bland side and the baked Alaska had the merengue scorched on one side which made it bitter tasting. We also ordered hot chocolates with Bailey's and even those were not very enjoyable. Tasted like the hot chocolate was a Nestle's from a package and not the deep flavorful hot chocolates that we had on the past. Even the Bailey's didn't help. We did speak to Steven on our way out to let him know that the level of service we received was not up to Max's standards. On the way home we talked about how the evening went and decided that we were pretty much ignored by our server as well as other staff. Haven't left the restaurant with that feeling before. One could think that maybe the pandemic had something to do with tonight's experience although we have been there other times during the worst parts of the pandemic with no issues and have had an amazing experience. Hopefully the next time we go, and there will be a next time, everything will be back to the high standards that we have come to expect from Max's.

Max Downtown has my favorite happy hour in downtown Hartford. I would recommend quite literally anything off of the menu- especially the cauliflower, ricotta toast, and oysters. Ambiance is amazing in the bar and the bar staff are fantastic at their job. Highly recommend!

Excellent kinds of cheesecake very good service kind and considerate ambience inviting and thoughtful.

Don't bring a date here unless you want her grabbed by the host. Upon entering the host grabbed hugged and held my date then shook my hand very forcefully while he chatted her up. When I asked him not to hug my girlfriend, privately at the table, he responded with a loud and incredulous "What?" Which I ignored. He then shook my hand even more forcefully pulling me in and glaring at me on the way out. He seemed drunk. All in all a very unpleasant and vulgar dining experience.

Max Downtown does a great happy hour! Whenever I'm in hartford before an event or show, I always stop here for some drinks and bites. This time I ordered the kung pao shrimp, the fried Buffalo cauliflower, and oysters. For drinks I stuck with the pomegranate margarita. The food was absolutely delicious!! There were enough seats in the bar area but it does get packed closer to 5 when everyone gets off work. My friend and I did experience a light headache and I'm hoping it is not due to the type of tequila used. Overall, it was an enjoyable time.

PART II So the first course was MEH! The sauce had no taste. Neither my wife nor I can tell you what was in it. The Black Bass had not taste whatsoever. It wasn't good-it wasn't bad-just tasteless. I understand the plates at a tasting are small but I'd bet anything there was less than three ounces of fish in total between the two plates. There really wasn't enough to even taste the pieces were so small. The only word that comes to mind is underwhelmed. As we're finishing this course we're visited by a pleasant young man in a chef's coat. He introduces himself as Michael and tells us he's our cook for the evening. Michael is a outgoing and we learn where he lives, what his favorite go to restaurant is east of the river and that his favorite restaurant for a special dinner is Ruth's Chris in Newington. We agree on his top pick. As he gets up to leave, I ask: "Isn't normal to inquire if your party has any food allergies or things they won't eat?" "Ah yes," he replies. I tell him beets and cilantro are a hard no for me. That information in hand, Mike departs. Next up an older gentleman appears. Clearly, he is a man in charge. No hello. No how are you this evening? First and only thing out of his mouth is: "Your gift certificate does not include wine." He angrily grabs my empty champagne flute glass, eyes the one in my wife's hand, thankfully didn't grab it away from her, bundles off with all the untouched wine glasses on the table and disappears. To say he was brusque to the point of rudeness is not hyperbole. My wife just said: "Wow! That is one angry man." Dinner proceeded apace. The salad was unremarkable-so unremarkable I can't tell you what was in it. The salad was followed by duck. I'm not a fan of duck, my wife is. She orders it often. She pronounced it the best she's ever had. I'll go with her pronouncement and endorse it as the best I've ever had as well. It was the high point of the food servings. Fish was next. The halibut was ever so lightly overcooked rendering it dry. Take 60 seconds of the time cooked and it would have been perfectly cooked. The fish was also paired with some type of carbohydrate that had the consistency of a bread pudding and contained raw pistachios. It tasted "off" and that aside just didn't pare well with the halibut. Dessert was baked Alaska. It was ok. It sorta reminded me of a Dairy Queen ice cream birthday cake that someone took a blow torch to. Overall, the food servings, duck aside, was a total disappointment. We were also surprised that given the time of year and the abundance of local fresh vegetables and fruit locally, that the menu didn't reflect that local abundance, Service was barely better than the food. Our waiter delivered the food. Other than that, he was MIA. He did a workmanlike job as a server. When I say Keko was MIA. I mean he barely spoke, even when asked a direct question and demonstrated zero evidence of cordiality or hospitality. The only two individuals who did was our bus boy, who despite a language barrier went out of his way to make us feel welcomed and appreciated as customers. The other of course was our Chef Michael. Other than those two people no one on the staff displayed any attempt to exhibit even a modicum of hospitality or a thank you for coming in. Whoever it was that treated us so rudely over Max's self inflected wine kerfuffle-should not be dealing with customers. His behavior was inexcusable and was offensive enough that I doubt we will patronize Max Downtown in the future based on his behavior. The evening end with my wife ordering a coffee with cream. Keko delivered the coffee and a bill of over $52.00. The bill included a coffee, an iced tea, tax, and a mandatory 20% built in charge for a tip. The rating is a 1. The food and its presentation deserved no more than a two while service rates a zero rating.

Salted Caramel Baked Alaska: best dessert I have ever had. Marshmallow campfire delight

My husband & I were downtown for a concert at the Bond Ballroom. We decided to make an early dinner reservation at Max Downtown to eat before our event. I haven't been to Max for a number of years, and my husband has never been to the restaurant. Our server, Molly took excellent care of us, answering all our questions and making great suggestions! We had an amazing dinner that was thoroughly enjoyed! Our shrimp cocktail and lump crab cake appetizers were great. And the steaks were ordered for our entre were outstanding, done perfectly! Molly, thanks for making our evening a special one. We look forward to visiting again soon, and having you make more great suggestions!!

- whipped ricotta - perfectly creamy with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar - Buffalo cauliflower - flavorful and crispy, the sauce is delicious. The happy hour is the solid time to go there to get these plates for $5-$7 . The drinks are usually priced at $5 during happy hour

The food quality and Quantity is not consistent. however the food is good. I will definitely recommend to a friend.

I Went to Max Downtown for my birthday. I got the swordfish special with white asparagus and nage. The sweet potato pierogi with marshmallow and bacon was amazing. Definitely will be going back. Service was great, fast and always around to ask questions. 100% recommend!

Max combines superb food, excellent service (Jason!), and a sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere! If we lived here, Max would be our weekly go-to restaurant! Instead, when we visit again, Max will be our must-visit restaurant! Enjoy!

Went for happy hour with my wife and we had an exceptional dining experience. Terrific atmosphere with comfortable seating. The food was scrumptious with exemplary presentation. Our waiter Will was friendly and knowledgeable. Will definitely be going back next time we are in Hartford.

The food and service are wonderful here, as one expects from the Max Group restaurants. We've eaten at almost all of them and not a one is bad. Prices are a bit rich, but you get what you pay for.