We moved away for a short time and now back on a regular basis. Chez Max special tonight was Halibut. Outstanding. Fresh- good size- portion. Perfect sauce. Just amazing. Sat in bar area with Troy. Excellent experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J P
The meal was flat and remarkable-- competently prepared, but nothing stood out either in the menu selections or their execution. (There is nothing on the menu that cannot be found-- prepared as well if not better-- at half a dozen other RVa restaurants.) The ambiance was comfortable enough, though nowhere near justifying the price point. Service was uninspired end at times bordered on the unprofessional.
Did I have to stop somewhere else for food afterward? No. Did I actively dislike anything? Also no. Would I ever go back? See previous answers.
Hard pass.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Janna Haberland
Being new to Richmond, I understand there are hometown favorites and I have no desire to bring down a local business but this was just a bad experience at a high price. Poor service, dead roaches in the bathroom, dingy decor that was visibly dirty next to us. The food was not bad but not worth the cost.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
Omnes Homines Occidere
Great Food! Great People! Great Environment!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Teresa Hudson
I’m sorry, but this is far from what we’d hoped. We know people really like this place, so maybe it was a bad night… But If you’re looking for French food, you’re better off going to cancan (And that’s really saying something). Or drive to Williamsburg and go to Le Yaca. Better yet, go to France.But don’t go here.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
Tony Vitiello
We hosted a 75th birthday dinner a few weeks ago for 15 people at ChezMax. It was so wonderful for so many reasons. We had a private dining room which allowed us an intimate setting. We felt very nurtured and taken care of by Richard our server as well as other staff and the hostess. Our guests ordered from the menu and each person’s choice was prepared perfectly and served at the same time. Not an easy feat to pull off. The restaurant offered a complimentary champagne toast and allowed us the entire evening to celebrate. ChezMax made a special occasion even more special. Thank you!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam
A+++ Staff was very attentive, and we appreciate they were working with the storm coming in, since my wife and I rarely have time for a date night. Thanks!
Kali
Positives: the dover sole, potatoes au gratin & crème brûlée were delicious and the service was very nice, including a champagne toast for our anniversary. Negatives: the crab soup barely had any crab, the French onion soup was just okay, the filet mignon had sinew running through it and lacked salt, the mushrooms were watery and lacked flavor, the key lime pie was grossly sweet and super thick like a cheesecake, and they had a football game on at the bar that we could hear at our table.
Robin Wells
Bar drinks well made by an experienced barman. Escargot, French onion soup (6*), venison, duck, Spinach , tuna tartar, , all fabulous. There was just something indescribable about the cream brulee I can't put my finger on that really made it special. Listen to Oliver - he won't steer you wrong. Our first trip but certainly not the last.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bradley Sherborne
Love the moules, will always come back just for this!
Just before Christmas I treated my wife to a wonderful anniversary dinner. I have ridden by this restaurant many times but a friend told me he and his wife consider it to be their favorite so I decided to take a chance. My first step was to learn about their ingredients because my wife is allergic to soy and if you hadn't already noticed, soy is in practically everything. Mere hours after sending an emailed inquiry about this I received a detailed reply from Brian Moore, the proprietor. That was hugely helpful so I felt comfortable in making reservations. The atmosphere was comfortable, not stuffy or pretentious. The hostess was very pleasant, and our server, Richard, was delightful. Our food was outstanding - prepared just right! It's a fine dining experience so I expected to spend a bit more than I would for a casual dining restaurant but for me and my wife it was well worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dan Kelliher
With a group of 10 people. Most of our orders were served only warm, not hot. My $54 fillet mignon was barely cooked and even after getting it recooked it came back barely done as instructed. Not what anyone would want when spending that much money. The French onion soup however was very good and properly temperatured. The service was very good and the ambience was very nice. It would be tough for me to reconsider coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
R Roberts
First visit and will be returning! Wonderful food..authentic French cuisine. Healthy portions. Excellent wine selection. Oliver is a terrific waiter! Treat yourself to a sumptuous meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott
4 miles from my house! Waiter was superb. Current menu was not updated on internet. Some food prices not on menu and waiter did not proactively quote price. He suggested Sea Bass over Sole. Price for sea bass was $60. Total bill for 2 of us with 1 glass of wine and 1 dessert, 2 cups of she crab soup and a tart dessert was $180 with 20% tip. Main entrees of duck and sea bass were perfect, sides of creamed spinach and scalloped potatoes were avg and super disappointing. Spinach was fresh but the cream / cheese was super bland and surprisingly ordinary! Scalloped potatoes were no better than grocery store. Tart dessert was average .. doughy and ice cream while great quality was too frozen to eat at first. Owner shared that 70% of their customers are repeat. To me $180 for a dinner is a super treat and overall the value wasn't there. Glass of wine was generous and tasty, Free champagne glasses for our 30th anniversary was very cold and superb. I just feel that at $180 bread, sides, desserts should be awesome. Portions were generous.
Brinton
oDinner was outstanding. Chez Max is always on point Service was great and dinner was served in an appropriate amount of time.
We moved away for a short time and now back on a regular basis. Chez Max special tonight was Halibut. Outstanding. Fresh- good size- portion. Perfect sauce. Just amazing. Sat in bar area with Troy. Excellent experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The meal was flat and remarkable-- competently prepared, but nothing stood out either in the menu selections or their execution. (There is nothing on the menu that cannot be found-- prepared as well if not better-- at half a dozen other RVa restaurants.) The ambiance was comfortable enough, though nowhere near justifying the price point. Service was uninspired end at times bordered on the unprofessional.
Did I have to stop somewhere else for food afterward? No. Did I actively dislike anything? Also no. Would I ever go back? See previous answers.
Hard pass.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Being new to Richmond, I understand there are hometown favorites and I have no desire to bring down a local business but this was just a bad experience at a high price. Poor service, dead roaches in the bathroom, dingy decor that was visibly dirty next to us. The food was not bad but not worth the cost.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
Great Food! Great People! Great Environment!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’m sorry, but this is far from what we’d hoped. We know people really like this place, so maybe it was a bad night… But If you’re looking for French food, you’re better off going to cancan (And that’s really saying something). Or drive to Williamsburg and go to Le Yaca. Better yet, go to France.But don’t go here.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
We hosted a 75th birthday dinner a few weeks ago for 15 people at ChezMax. It was so wonderful for so many reasons. We had a private dining room which allowed us an intimate setting. We felt very nurtured and taken care of by Richard our server as well as other staff and the hostess. Our guests ordered from the menu and each person’s choice was prepared perfectly and served at the same time. Not an easy feat to pull off. The restaurant offered a complimentary champagne toast and allowed us the entire evening to celebrate. ChezMax made a special occasion even more special. Thank you!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A+++ Staff was very attentive, and we appreciate they were working with the storm coming in, since my wife and I rarely have time for a date night. Thanks!
Positives: the dover sole, potatoes au gratin & crème brûlée were delicious and the service was very nice, including a champagne toast for our anniversary. Negatives: the crab soup barely had any crab, the French onion soup was just okay, the filet mignon had sinew running through it and lacked salt, the mushrooms were watery and lacked flavor, the key lime pie was grossly sweet and super thick like a cheesecake, and they had a football game on at the bar that we could hear at our table.
Bar drinks well made by an experienced barman. Escargot, French onion soup (6*), venison, duck, Spinach , tuna tartar, , all fabulous. There was just something indescribable about the cream brulee I can't put my finger on that really made it special. Listen to Oliver - he won't steer you wrong. Our first trip but certainly not the last.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the moules, will always come back just for this!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Just before Christmas I treated my wife to a wonderful anniversary dinner. I have ridden by this restaurant many times but a friend told me he and his wife consider it to be their favorite so I decided to take a chance. My first step was to learn about their ingredients because my wife is allergic to soy and if you hadn't already noticed, soy is in practically everything. Mere hours after sending an emailed inquiry about this I received a detailed reply from Brian Moore, the proprietor. That was hugely helpful so I felt comfortable in making reservations. The atmosphere was comfortable, not stuffy or pretentious. The hostess was very pleasant, and our server, Richard, was delightful. Our food was outstanding - prepared just right! It's a fine dining experience so I expected to spend a bit more than I would for a casual dining restaurant but for me and my wife it was well worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
With a group of 10 people. Most of our orders were served only warm, not hot. My $54 fillet mignon was barely cooked and even after getting it recooked it came back barely done as instructed. Not what anyone would want when spending that much money. The French onion soup however was very good and properly temperatured. The service was very good and the ambience was very nice. It would be tough for me to reconsider coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
First visit and will be returning! Wonderful food..authentic French cuisine. Healthy portions. Excellent wine selection. Oliver is a terrific waiter! Treat yourself to a sumptuous meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
4 miles from my house! Waiter was superb. Current menu was not updated on internet. Some food prices not on menu and waiter did not proactively quote price. He suggested Sea Bass over Sole. Price for sea bass was $60. Total bill for 2 of us with 1 glass of wine and 1 dessert, 2 cups of she crab soup and a tart dessert was $180 with 20% tip. Main entrees of duck and sea bass were perfect, sides of creamed spinach and scalloped potatoes were avg and super disappointing. Spinach was fresh but the cream / cheese was super bland and surprisingly ordinary! Scalloped potatoes were no better than grocery store. Tart dessert was average .. doughy and ice cream while great quality was too frozen to eat at first. Owner shared that 70% of their customers are repeat. To me $180 for a dinner is a super treat and overall the value wasn't there. Glass of wine was generous and tasty, Free champagne glasses for our 30th anniversary was very cold and superb. I just feel that at $180 bread, sides, desserts should be awesome. Portions were generous.
oDinner was outstanding. Chez Max is always on point Service was great and dinner was served in an appropriate amount of time.
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