Buffalo sliders. Champagne. Free-range happy local fried chicken. Fresh-baked fancy bread. (Relatively) Cheap wine. Relaxed atmosphere. Fried oysters. Exposed brick. Shrimp ‘n’ grits. Friendliest servers ever. What’s not to love?
Buffalo slider with homemade pickle and bread from Walton's (to open May 15)
Welcome to Max’s Wine Dive, the newest restaurant to hit 3rd & San Jacinto, that burgeoning corner where Rio Grande and Melting Pot have managed to carve out an existence earlier relegated to a-year-and-out eating establishments. Max’s Wine Dive is a Houston hotspot that’s made its way westward into Austin. This “dive” (laid-back atmosphere) focuses on upscale comfort food and carries more than 180 kinds of wine–the only list where you can buy a glass of anything. You can also buy the whole thing and take it home–Max’s maintains a retailer’s permit too. Score!
Max’s Wine Dive is the brainchild of owners Jerry and Laura Lasco, with fellow Rice grad Jonathan in the mix. Endearing Executive Chef Steve Super is passionate about the food, but fittingly his first love was music. A 20-year veteran of the Nashville scene, he toured with national act as well known as Brooks & Dunn. Just 5 years out of the New England Culinary Institute and a stint at the helm of wildly popular Steve and Erika’s (Vermont’s highest-rated restaurant in 2007) later, Steve is settling happily into life in the live music capitol.
Crazy Menu picks:
Nacho Mama’s Oysters (crispy, fried Gulf Coast oysters served over fried wontons and topped with habañero salsa and cilantro $8), Max & Cheese (tossed in truffle cream and a fresh mozzarella, gruyere and Grana Padano cheese blend, $11), Yama Kobe Beef Burger (topped with a triple-cream brie and freshly pickled jalapenos, $18), organic Southern Fried Chicken ($18), and the slightly/alot ridiculous “Haute” Dog (with Texas beer sauerkraut and venison chili, $14). The dishes “always start with fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients.”
Happy hour starts at 4pm, but Max’s also has the badass Reverse Happy Hour with discounted food and wine during the last two hours of business!
www.MaxsWineDive.com, 207 San Jacinto Blvd. Open Monday through Wednesday 4-midnight; Thursday through Saturday 4pm-2am, and Sunday from 11am-midnight, with Sunday brunch from 11am-3pm (for drool-worthy photos, check out this blog).