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Home > Restaurants > Max

All Reader Reviews of...

Max

51 Ave. B, New York, NY, 10009
nr. 4th St.
212-539-0111

7.1 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
70% Would you go back?
70% Would you take a date?
20% Would you take kids?
10% Would you go on business?
50% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 7.9
Service: 5.4
Décor: 5.6
Value: 7.6
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  • Showing reviews 1 through 10 of 10

Incredibly rude waiters

KateStag from 10009 | Posted on 5/20/09

Overall Rating: 4 (Not Recommended)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 9
Service: 1
Décor: 5
Value: 4

Seriously, I have to say the reason we still go to this place, ever, is the gnocchi and the portions for the price. The reason I would happily never go there again despite these things is the waiters are so incredibly rude. The entire time you're there they act as if they're doing you a favor by letting you eat there. And the amazing thing is that EVERY waiter is like that, pretentious and rude. Not worth the gnocchi, my favorite, really. And don't bother going close to the close of the restaurant because they will hover around you until you're done.

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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Good food, rude waiter

skarp from 11231 | Posted on 2/2/09

Overall Rating: 5 (Mixed Reviews)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 7
Service: 2
Décor: 8
Value: 6

Four of us had dinner at Max Restaurant on Saturday night, and while the food was pretty good, our waiter was incredibly and unnecessarily rude. we were seated under a speaker and asked VERY NICELY to turn down the music a little bit, the waiter said "no. we play loud music" later, when the music had become even louder, the hostess responded to my plea and turned it down, only to have the waiter turn it up even louder than before! we left soon after, and took our business (dessert and more wine) elsewhere. also, we used one of the candles from a sideboard to read the menu then left it on our table. the waiter came over and told us we had just created a fire hazard!! how this was any more dangerous than having a flame inches from a wooden shelf made no sense, but it was the way we were treated, like children who had to be slapped on the hand, which was offensive. this had been my first time at Max and I enjoyed the experience but nearly every interaction with the personnel (with the exception of the gentleman refilling our water glasses!) was unnecessarily contentious.

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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

1 more bad over-hyped bad "Italian"restaurant.

les14 from 10002 | Posted on 10/21/08

Overall Rating: 1 (Not Recommended)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 1
Service: 1
Décor: 1
Value: 1

We were 3 people sat at a small table for two in the middle of the transit lane. We asked if there was any alternative? "Even if the restaurant is empty we seat a party of 3 at the same table". If anyone has spent their entire meal having their chair bumped by every passerby, including the staff, waiters, bus people, you know what I'm talking about. It's the most annoying thing one can ever ask for.....ever. After the 20th "sorry" you just want it to be over with. The food was OK, not great, cheap in every sense. If you've had good Italian food you will be disappointed. It was a bad, annoying meal with the worst pretension from the staff at every point. Times are tuff, chose a place that deserves your money. Paying good money at a bad restaurant should go the way of Lehman Bros.' CEO's. Give me Il Bagatto anytime. Boycott this place. When the waiter says "sorry"to you on your way out, "took the word right out of my mouth" .

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2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Dark but delicious

7865 from 59759 | Posted on 10/15/08

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 7
Value: 10

Our egglant rigatoni and lasagna (oh, so rich) were incredible. Our handsome and efficient waiter from Montana had the job under control. Our only beef was the lighting- for our old eyes we had to ask for a candle to read the menu.

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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Super chill Italian Restaurant

bellagirl160 from 10016 | Posted on 6/3/08

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 8
Service: 5
Décor: 7
Value: 9

With Bob Marley music blaring in the background and every table being packed one rainy Friday evening you just know this place is an East Village hidden gem. The starter bread with bruschetta/tapenade was quite delicious and definitely the start to quite the watery mouth. My main and only complaint was the unknowledable staff. Service was kind of rocky and when we asked about the specials, the server referred us to read the "specials board" which was awkwardly placed behind us. The entrees were pretty good with generous portions. The tiramisu was a hit and miss for me because while quite tasty, it literally came 5 seconds after we ordered it... aka they took the cerran wrap off of it and plopped it down in front of us. Definitely worth a visit..

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4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Love max

skang0504 from 10009 | Posted on 8/6/07

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 8
Service: 8
Décor: 7
Value: 10

You can't beat the price! The Lasagna is still one of the best i've had. So cute and cheap! Great for a weekday dinner.

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211 out of 369 people found this review helpful.

Best. Dinner. Ever.

jonicoed from 10003 | Posted on 6/19/07

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 7
Décor: 5
Value: 10

I'm all about Max ... Delicious dinner, cozy atmosphere, beyond reasonable prices ... perfect!

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152 out of 412 people found this review helpful.

Best Italian in the ABCs

lala_c from 11216 | Posted on 3/14/03

Overall Rating: 7 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 8
Service: 6
Décor: 5
Value: 8

3 words: Fettucine Lamb Ragu. The flavour of the simmered sauce can make you melt in your seat. The atmosphere is loud and bustling. Cash only, but the pasta dishes are v. reasonable. Everything is served in mismatched plates like at your Italian grandma's. There is even gingham on the table. There is no point staying for dessert though.

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248 out of 496 people found this review helpful.

Cheap Italian

gmyerberg | Posted on 2/4/03

Overall Rating: 8 (Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 8
Service: 6
Décor: 5
Value: 8

The Meatloaf and the Rigatoni are to die for. If I want authentic Italian. This is where I head to. The atmosphere is casual and the people friendly. Most of all you can't beat the price!

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282 out of 565 people found this review helpful.

Amazing Italian for next to nothing

jwhc from 112011 | Posted on 2/4/03

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 10
Service: 8
Décor: 6
Value: 10

This little Italian joint in East Village is always packed. Everyone who lives around there knows it's the best Italian food they can get in the area. And the best part of it is that it's really good value. I would only eat here if I lived closer.

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315 out of 576 people found this review helpful.

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