Max's Oyster Bar, West Hartford

We've never been as happy with this place as we are right now. Years ago the menu was hit-or-miss (an historic mis-match was a steak with an insipid roasted-tomato coulis and a fish with blueberries). Nowadays they've got it down to a science. Forget about sides; they're awful. Go for raw bar, cocktails, fine wine (their list is awesome) and simply prepared seafood entrees. Eat dessert elsewhere. Most thrilling is that the staff has become genuinely warm lately -- miles away from the oh-so-hip poseurs that staffed the place in years gone by.

My friend and I went there for dinner Saturday. The food was bland and the service was non-existent. The waiter only came by once to ask how the food was...and he didn't even stop to ask. He just asked while walking towards another table. The paella had no spice, no salt and pepper. The sea bass was undercooked on one side; granted the side that was cooked was actually half decent, except no salt or pepper or other spices. The brocolini was OLD. Great place if you are on a NO salt diet!

As a restayrant owner here in Ct, it is amazing to eat in any Max Group place. This is tops. Excellent food, service and every detail is done perfectly. Worth the money. I go now, for every family type event. ( i don't eat in my own place at these times , because I am always on the lookout from imperfect service and it tends to detract from the meal.) bob z

Go in and watch their staff...I thought it was supposed to be upscale but they run around looking so unhappy and super frazzled at times and from what I hear, their poor cooks don't see a whole lot more money than working at Friendly's and this place makes more profits. They could atleast throw those folks a bone as the reason most are there is to eat and if they can send out the quality food that people go there for, you would think they would be worth more to the company (karma will win eventually on that one) How the heck do they always get so many awards anyway because if you do ever go, you will see there are plenty of places around that offer more. Why not pay the kitchen staff more and not critics??? Be ready to spend money and plan on paying to park, too-they don't validate. The bathroom was another whole experience...get in line-no pun intended