Max's: That Old-Time Solid Chophouse Feeling (Hartford Restaurant Review No. 2)

On our second night in insurance land (Hartford, Connecticut), we tried what is probably the oldest non-chain steak restaurant in Hartford, Max's. We got sort of a predictable dining experience for this type of restaurant. We started with a bottle of Two Hands Shiraz. It was tangy but had a good, fruity aftertaste. For appetizers, we had a shrimp cocktail that was good, but not outstanding. (Steve particularly doesn't like the "leggy" shrimp which were served.) We also had tuna tartare, which neither of us particularly liked. (The tuna itself didn't have much flavor, and was overpowered by the wasabi.)

Our salads were also unspectacular. Neither had particularly crispy or fresh greens and the dressing on both left something to be desired. Max's, however, definitely redeemed itself with great entrees. Steve absolutley loved his Kansas City strip, which was a perfect medium rare and was substantially charcoaled, just the way he likes it. Lisa had the scallop special, which she also thought very good. The waiter said these were Nantucket bay scallops that were only in season for four weeks. The scallops were small, but had an almost sweet taste Lisa loved. (She usually finds scallops a bit too salty.)

For dessert, Lisa ordered a pear almond tart with ginger ice cream. She thought this dessert was far too sweet and the ginger ice cream did not work. Usually pear adds a certain zip to a dessert and has a different taste than apple, but this fruit had no particular flavor at all. Steve's banana crepe with banana ice cream was okay, but nothing to write home about, which we otherwise could have done since we were traveling.

The bathrooms at Max's were frustrating. The Women's Room looked fine and was fairly clean, but Lisa could not figure out how to get soap out of the dispenser. She tried everything she could think of, and finally just washed with hot water. Steve had the same problem, but finally managed to get enough soap to fill a miniature thimble. He did figure out that it was supposed to be an automatic dispenser, but obviously it didn't work too well.

Dinner for two at Max's, with a bottle of wine, was $325. It would have been about $225 with wine by the glass. Another example of Hartford's high prices. One plus at Max's was live music by a piano player who played a good mix of pieces at just the right volume.

Our ratings for Max's, 158 Asylum St., Hartford, Connecticut:

7 or 10 Steak Knives (almost all for the entrees); 1.5 of 3 Bathroom Brushes