If you’re just going to Max’s Wine Dive for brunch or Mac & Cheese, you’t making a mistake. Well, like, those are great calls, but hi, dinner is a meal you need to try with Max’s. And, since it’s officially spring, Max’s Wine Dive on Fairview is rolling out it’s spring menu. Here are my favorites:
The Artichoke.
If heaven was a food, it would be The Artichoke from Max’s. This huge, steamed artichoke is soaking in garlic butter and wine (which I have to refrain from eating as soup. JK I did a little.) It’s definitely a plate to share, but not with me. I will treat it as a race. Don’t miss the heart at the bottom after you chew through the leaves (PS how weird is this sentence). I think next time I order this, I’ll get it to go so I can eat it all and not have people stare at me as a slurp it all. Sorry, I think I made this delicious thing super gross.
Mint Cured Wild Salmon.
Ceviche say what. I do not like raw things, but I also do not like not trying things. Flashback to when I tried raw oysters as an adult, and it was delicious. Same with this dish. It was so light and flavorful. I thought I would hate the salmon’s texture, but it was so refreshing (weird, right?!) and so was the radish, watercress and red onion salad around it. I definitely recommend this as a light appetizer before a heavy meal.
Arugula & Berries.
Goat cheese? Check. Berries? YUP. Spiced pecans? Wait, what? At first I thought this salad was just a salad, whatever. But then I got these salty chunks plus the goat cheese balances it out with some creamy taste. Big fan.
Wild Steelhead Salmon.
You know what they say: “Two salmons are better than one.” JK, I don’t say that because I’m not Salmon’s biggest fan, but this one I liked too! Dang, Max’s! You’re making me question my likes and dislikes. This cooked salmon dish was pretty mediterranean with tomatoes and feta, so maybe that’s why I liked it so much! I think I’d order again so I can take better notes and try to recreate it 😉
Rack of Lamb.
When I think of lamb, I think of that scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days where she cries over the lamb. HAHAH. Gets me every time. Lambs are adorable, and I don’t like to eat them, but remember how I also do not like not trying things. The lamb was good and I just pretended it was steak. The real winner on the plate was the potato salad (that was NOT mashed potatoes, as I anticipated). It was tart and so so so good. I could have had just a fat serving of it.
Chicken-Fried Quail.
I wanted to like this, but it’s another case of the sides and the sauce overtaking the main entrée. Also quail is too boney. It just made me want friend chicken. Quail is too fancy; I’m such a peasant. #BirdJokes.