Max's Oyster Bar

08/31/09

Disappointing meal

by RachelMT at Citysearch

Someone needs to teach these folks how to make bloody mary's. Terrible drinks.... it was more like a tomatoe and horseradish. Wait staff spent plenty of time talking to folks at the table next to us...in fact while handing us dessert menu's he was still talking to them. Shrimp wrapped in proscuitto was so salty!!!! And paella had no flavor at all!!! Way too bland. Will not return.

• Pros: Nice decor
• Cons: food, terrible service, t.v. distracting, bad drinks

07/29/09

Great service and martinis

by RavenLightholme at Citysearch

I don't know why the past few reviewers are complaining about the service, because I, too, grew up in West Hartford and have always found that the Max line of restaurants truly knows how to make a customer feel appreciated. The service at the Oyster Bar may feel a bit more rushed just because it's one of the more popular and vivacious places in West Hartford Center, but it's still above and beyond what you'd receive anywhere else.

Although I'm not an oyster person, there's enough non-oyster cuisine to please anyone. They bring out an interesting (and delicious) plate of carrots with a mustard dressing, which is a nice alternative to the standard loaf of bread. They also provide thin crackers with butter, which are also incredibly good. The martini list is incredible--check out the bloody oyster if you like bloody mary's--and you can find great deals with their grand prix 3-course options. For $25 (and sometimes less), you get an amazing 3-course meal.

Finally, the Oyster Bar provides some excellent people-watching, whether you're outside on Farmington Avenue or inside the beautifully decorated and spacious interior. It doesn't hurt to have good eye candy ;)

• Pros: Drinks, environment
• Cons: Price

03/30/09

Reasons to hate Pretentious West Hartford

by retrogurl at Citysearch

I have lived in CT all my life. I grew up only 8 miles from West Hartford. For some reason, all my friends want to live in West Hartford but I'll stay put exactly where I am because this place epitomizes all that is disgusting about West Hartford Center.

I have been frequenting this restaurant off and on for about 4 years now. I will only go once a year only because all my friends continue to think this restaurant is the bomb.

First off, the wait staff is doing YOU the favor of allowing you to sit at a table. Oh, you're the customer and have the money? Doesn't matter. Queen Elizabeth could sit in here and they would still treat her like mud.

Though the food is very good, the service staff is mega-snooty. I have been here three times and I always beg people in my party to be on time. Why? Because if anyone is more than 5 minutes late and the table has one empty chair, get ready for nasty stares from all the wait staff that walk by your table. How many stares will that be? Well, you'll be sitting there for 3 hours waiting for you dinner to come out and that's a lot of wait staff death glares. I absolutely hate the wait staff at this establishment. What I hate more is that I have to give them so much money for such a ridiculous experience.

Are you doing them a favor by giving them your business? Guess not. Too darn loud, couldn't even have a conversation or hear anyone at a small round table of seven. Food took 1.5 hours to come out once we ordered it. Three hours sitting in a restaurant where you can't have a conversation and the prices are over the top is enough. The waiter was not to be found at times and when we paid with plastic he had the air of a martyred saint because he had to swipe several cards. OH MY GOD? You mean you have to work for a 20% tips. With this place, I didn't want to leave a tip at all.

West Hartford isn't all it's cracked up to be and Max's Oyster Bar isn't anything more than a puffed up peacock. No real substance. You're better off taking your money elsewhere. Not only will you get a better meal at a more decent price, the other establishments will actually appreciate your patronage and show you that. And you might even be able to hear and not have to shout at your table companions.

Any reviews where this place is "perfect" is definitely put up by Max staff or owners. Max's Oyster Bar, please read this and read carefully: There is a recession going on. Even if there wasn't, people work hard for their money and expect and should get a good experience when they are dropping this kind of money on dinner. You really need to polish up your act. If it was up to me as an owner, I'd fire the wait staff, reduce the damn noise in the bar (aka sports bar) and actually pay attention to my patrons.

• Pros: Good food
• Cons: Horrible service, too pricey, super noisy interior