The comfort food classics at Max’s Wine Dive – fried chicken and collard greens, Max’s signature burger, shrimp and grits, Wine Dive sliders – aren’t going anywhere. But with a new season comes a few new menu items, each as satisfying as the menu mainstays.
We stopped in last week as guests of the restaurant and sampled a handful of new dishes, available at both the Washington Avenue and Fairview locations. For a starter just right for the season, order the brie en croute ($12). A wheel of brie, topped with cranberries and crunchy walnuts, is wrapped in puff pastry and then baked. The warm melted cheese is served with crisp, green apples and a few dried figs.
For something slightly sweet but still savory, try the lobster risotto balls ($14 for three, photo above), which are fried and drizzled with chive aioli and creamy lobster bisque. There’s plenty of texture to enjoy here – the crunchy fried exterior, creamy risotto interior and the tender pieces of fresh lobster that sit atop each arancini.
It’s hard to not fill up on starters like melted cheese, fried risotto and pork belly bites, but we’re sure you’ll find room for the pot roast ($20, photo above) that features slow-braised, fork-tender short rib on top of cheesy scalloped potatoes. Celery, carrots and mushrooms also dot the dish to add more texture, a bite of freshness and a pop of color. It’s comfort food fit for cooler weather (fingers crossed).
Cracklin’ chicken ($18, photo above) served on mushroom risotto is expertly fried – the result is a piece of moist chicken and its thin, crispy layer of skin. A swipe through the chicken demi-glace, and your bite of chicken and risotto will be even more moist.
And what to wash down these rich fall dishes with? Well, how about a glass of Champagne? Because as Max’s likes to say, “Why the hell not?”
Max’s Wine Dive, 4720 Washington Ave & 214 Fairview St #2, maxswinedive.com