Brasserie 19 on West Gray

Eat here for a summery, beach-like atmosphere, but not for great food. The white-on-white decor is stylish and reminiscent of a seaside resort in the Hamptons. Unfortunately, the food doesn't live up to the decor. It is average, with limp mixed greens, bland and too rare sirloin strip steak instead of typical entrecôte for steak frites, and a funky wine list presented on an iPad. While the wine selection is decent and the bottle prices reasonable, the by-the-glass prices are ridiculously high. A $45 bottle is offered for $18 a glass. The pommes frites and bread are good, as is the service. We may give the restaurant another try in order to sample other menu items, such as mussels in white wine and French onion soup, since these are typical bistro foods that you can't find everywhere, but I am not terribly optimistic. However, there is something to be said for an attractive setting and a good bottle of wine. So if you go, ask for the "quietest table", go early, and don't go with high expectations. 

Max's Wine Dive on Washington Avenue

Eat here for outstanding Southern fried chicken. A signature dish at this noisy, slightly irreverent late night neighborhood gastropub, the chicken was a delicious indulgence worth every calorie. It was tender and juicy, with crispy skin that was seasoned just right and wasn't greasy. It was served piping hot with sweet and spicy chipotle honey dipping sauce, mashed potatoes, and collard greens (which can be substituted for a salad, if you are like me and don't care for these greens.) The Kobe beef burger was a generous 8 ounces, but pricey at $18, plus another $4 if you want to add mushrooms, onions, and gruyere or bacon and blue cheese. The fried oysters were sublime. Served atop crunchy fried wontons, the oysters were crispy outside, melt-in-your-mouth soft inside, made perfect with a touch of garlic aioli and a sweet and spicy habanero salsa. The wine list is extensive, reasonably priced, and features many wines that you won't find anywhere else. The bartender was very knowledgeable and gave us three different wines to sample to help us choose. No snootiness here! Max's takes reservations, which were honored promptly. Definitely pay Max's a visit when you long for gourmet comfort food and a nice glass of wine.