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.