Hip and trendy like other Max hotspots,
Max Fish in Glastonbury sports a French bistro style that really stands out among its siblings.
Gone are the dark, Manhattan-esque interior of
Trumbull Kitchen and the tangible upper-crustiness of
Max's Oyster Bar. In their place diners will find something fresh—gleaming white tiled walls, jet black accents and fluorescent lighting, softened by auburn-tinted smoked glass—a warm and inviting ambiance that has already created a stir on the thriving Glastonbury dining scene.
Max Fish has also taken strides to become the restaurant of choice for a growing gaggle of green gastronomes. Among other things, it sells Aquahealth still and sparkling water that's triple-distilled on premises, and uses low-energy dishwashers.
Metromix has one tip for Max on the going green front—please don't print a new menu each day. It wastes costly, high quality paper. A chalkboard prominently displayed could update diners on the day's available catch, with the added bonus of keeping that chic Max logo out of the landfill.
Food: Max Fish sells fresh fish, the freshest fish you'll find. OK, so we're not Dr. Seuss. But you get the picture. The catch changes daily on a menu that boasts, "we are fanatical about fish with an uncompromizing commitment to quality," meaning only the freshest, highest quality product will make it to your plate. Start your meal with something from the extensive, mouth-watering raw bar. For an entree you can have fish your way (your selection of the day's fish catch, prepared to your liking) or Max's way (unique creations of Executive Chef Adam Alderin). A solid selection of chop house classics is also available, for the non-seafaring carnivores in your group.
Booze: Martinis are the specialty at every Max restaurant, and Max Fish is no different. Reasonably priced, the martini menu offers a wide variety of fruity, creamy and otherwise yummy concoctions to imbibe. And if you're on the green kick, check out the Eco-Martini made with 360 Vodka and Midori Melon Liqueur, though we're not sure it will do much to reduce your carbon footprint.
Decor: The walls of the unexpectedly large Shark Bar are plastered with nautical, shark-themed accents, ranging from movie posters to mounted fish. The result is not as kitschy as you might think. There's a coolness about it, like you're dining on the set of "Jaws." Nevertheless, the food here will easily banish any decor-inspired misconceptions you may have. With a large horseshoe-shaped bar, cafe tables and bar tops, the Shark Bar can really pack 'em in. The formal dining area is more subdued in the tradition of
Max Downtown and
Max Amore, with plush leather booths and dimmed lighting to get you in the mood.
Vibe: The crowd is hopping at Max Fish. The Shark Bar is jammed almost every night of the week with 20- and 30-somethings gathering to eat, drink, see and be seen. The formal dining room, with a more extensive and expensive menu, is home to a diverse crowd. Be forewarned, the wait for a table in the dining room can be quite long. Reservations are highly recommended.
Service: As at all Max restaurants, service is a top priority. The friendly and knowledgeable waitstaff will eagerly see to it that your dining experience exceeds expectations.
Attire: Casual chic. This is a place for your best jeans and sparkly new top. Like it's Max restaurant siblings, the vibe is hip and trendy, so dress to impress.
Bottom line: Max Fish is a huge success. The newcomer is a must-try if you love food, great drinks and a fun and flirty atmosphere. And, with some more efforts to reduce energy consumption and waste, Max Fish could become a leader in the greening of Connecticut's restaurant industry. And Metromix gives that the green light.
Max Fish 110 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury
860-652-3474
