Max's Wine Dive (3600 McKinney Ave.), uptown's newest culinary addition, opened last Wednesday in the space that once housed Borders bookstore. The Texas-based restaurant and wine bar originated in Houston in 2006 and has since expanded to Austin, San Antonio and now, Dallas.
The restaurant is spacious, with large windows and a lofty ceiling. Diners can pull up a stool at the expansive wine-bar, which serves up everything from house Garnacha, served on tap, for $6.75 a glass to a bottle of 1985 Chateau Cheval Blanc, and everything in between (all bottles are available for retail sale). Or if they prefer, diners can grab a seat at one of the many tables inside or on the patio.
The menu is seasonal, and currently offers fall cuisine like veal sweetbreads pot pie ($21), pumpkin risotto ($18) and stuffed Texas quail ($16). Dinner services starts at 4 p.m. every day, and reservations are encouraged. Those looking to grab a nightcap can do so Thursday through Saturday, when Max's is open until 2 a.m, and then come back to nurse their wine-induced hangover with brunch, which is served Friday through Sunday. The brunch menu includes everything from a simple fruit cup ($5) to the super-popular jalapeño-buttermilk marinated Southern fried chicken served with mashed potatoes, collard greens and Texas toast ($15).
Pumpkin risotto topped with a Southern fried egg, currants and pepitas.
Hostess Mary Flinn's favorite bottle of wine; Urban 'Circle U' Riesling.
Jalapeno-buttermilk marinated Southern fried chicken served with mashed potatoes, collared greens and Texas toast.
