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    Bar Max

    3.7 (12 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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    The celery cocktail
    Lanasha R.

    This spot used to be Bar Piña but I love what Bar Max has done with the space! Since I know the area well, the location is easy to find but my friends did have some trouble getting confused with Max Downtown across the street. The red on the walls is a gorgeous color! I haven't caught this spot in the day time yet but I'm sure it's a stunner. There's ample seating inside and the chairs are comfortable which I appreciate. Since the windows are so big, there is a bit of a draft so I opted to keep my jacket on. I think in the future I'll try sitting at the bar if there's room. The bartenders are amazing! I believe his name is John and he was super accommodating and friendly. I had the intention of trying something different but went with the tequila based celery cocktail and had noooo regrets! I think I may have found my new fav downtown cocktail. It was SO refreshing and light but the smoked celery salt rim had me sold. Unfortunately we missed the kitchen but their menu had some items that caught my eye. I'll have to try them out next time. They have live music and DJs on certain nights. I'm happy to see such lively spots popping up

    $1 oysters from 4-6 weekdays!
    Madi C.

    Great drinks and staff. Frequent Max for the "buck a shuck" oysters during weekday happy hours!

    Clams on the half shell and the Bulldog Cooler
    Mike L.

    After a BUSY day in the office, I felt like it was time to have a drink. So, Bar Max caught my eye. I walked in (entrance is on Haynes St., not Asylum st., so heads up), and I was instantly attracted to the decor. Modern day items but with a 30s-40s era appeal. I sat down and was handed a menu. Happy Hour... cocktails and raw bar? Say less. I ordered a Bulldog Cooler and some raw clams. The drink was made quickly and the raw clams took a bit (at $1 a clam, it's understandable there's a demand). But when they arrived, amazing. FRESH horseradish and ketchup for cocktail sauce. I took a bite of the horseradish and my sinuses cleared instantly. But on a clam on the half shell, perfection. Super cold, shucked so there's no biting on the shell needed, and just the right salinity to know this came from the ocean. The Bulldog cooler was the right choice (gin, orange juice, bitters, ginger, and club soda). It paired so well with the clams. The bitters and ginger helped to combine notes from the clams while the acidity of the orange juice added some bite to the clams as well. The gin and ginger both combined to quell the heat of the horseradish but also make the sharpness stand out as well. Overall, Bar Max is fantastic. The service is outstanding, the drinks perfect, and the food was excellent. Might be a Friday evening post work tradition

    Oysters

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    3 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent and upbeat, fresh atmosphere, food best ever servic great Romantic but entertaining enjoyed our night,easy reservation as well

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    2 years ago

    Love it!!! Nice to have those 'Goodwin Days' back! Classy and fun. John is great! Well dine, Steve! ​

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    Johnson Fish Market Restaurant - The seasoning is on point.

    Johnson Fish Market Restaurant

    4.2(6 reviews)
    1.4 miNorth East

    During my visit to Hartford,CT I search seafood and this business can up. They did not miss the…read morefood was excellent and the service was great I mean everything I order was good. Fish was fresh seasoned perfectly but not salty. Most of all it was very clean no fishy smell like most fish markets. Please when you get a chance check them out.

    Johnson Fish Market is a long-established neighborhood seafood shop in Hartford, Connecticut. The…read moreplace offers fish, shellfish, and seafood platters. When I was in the Hartford area and craving some fish, I checked out this spot on Yelp. It's not in the nicest part of town, but that's often where you find the best food. As I stepped inside, I was greeted warmly and ordered the number 5 platter, which included three pieces of whiting and a piece of catfish. I wanted some coleslaw on the side, but they didn't have it. The staff mentioned they sold potato salad instead. They even gave me a sample, which was just okay--personally, I thought it needed more potatoes since I could mainly taste the dressing. My order arrived within about ten or fifteen minutes. The fish was just so-so. The whiting was a bit bland, and although it looked crispy, it felt slimy when I bit into it. The catfish was good and didn't have that slimy texture, but it lacked a real punch of flavor. The fries were decent enough. The customer service was friendly, and the staff made me feel welcome.

    Photos
    Johnson Fish Market Restaurant
    Johnson Fish Market Restaurant
    Johnson Fish Market Restaurant - This is the small fried porgies with white bread. Banging..

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    This is the small fried porgies with white bread. Banging..

    Salute - Macaroni and Cheese

    Salute

    4.5(1.7k reviews)
    0.1 miDowntown
    $$

    Stumbled upon this place after an event downtown. A couple was on their way out and told us how…read moregreat the food and service was so why not that dragged me in. Upon entry we were greeted by the host. I let him know we will be sitting at the bar as the intention was to get drinks only. My surprise the menu looked pretty good so we got apps. My sister got chicken flatbread and I got the crab cakes the couple Mentioned outside. They did not disappoint food was good. For drinks we had a Hugo sprintz and an espresso martini. Both made very well. The bartender was very friendly and went above and beyond for the customers. Will be back for a proper dinner.

    Stumbled upon this place after an event downtown. A couple was on their way out and told us how…read moregreat the food and service was so why not that dragged me in. Upon entry we were greeted by the host. I let him know we will be sitting at the bar as the intention was to get drinks only. My surprise the menu looked pretty good so we got apps. My sister got chicken flatbread and I got the crab cakes the couple Mentioned outside. They did not disappoint food was good. For drinks we had a Hugo sprintz and an espresso martini. Both made very well. The bartender was very friendly and went above and beyond for the customers. Will be back for a proper dinner.

    Photos
    Salute - Restrooms

    Restrooms

    Salute - Filet mignon and Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese Filet Mignon and Fries. & water in outside seating.

    Filet mignon and Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese Filet Mignon and Fries. & water in outside seating.

    Salute - Espresso Martini

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    Espresso Martini

    Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar

    Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar

    3.4(53 reviews)
    2.6 miBehind The Rocks
    $$$

    Food FLAVOR was great, but the quality of food and service were kinda disappointing:…read more First issue- We got our boils before we got our drinks. We had to flag down another server to ask for waters to drink with our food, because our server hadn't brung us our ordered beverages yet. And then, when we finally did get them, my FROZEN margarita arrived at the table already MELTED. Second issue- Majority of my muscles came EMPTY, as if the meat was overcooked out of their shells before being put into my bag. So I didn't even get many muscles. And their "sausages" were not the typical thick round sausages they have advertised on their ads and that you see everywhere else. They were literally THIN FLIMSY SLICES OF PORK LIKE HAM. That was very upsetting, they didn't even have a sausage-like taste. However, other than those two issues, everything else was great! We got crab legs, shrimp, muscles, corn, potatoes, boiled eggs and lobster tail in our boils. We both got the special blend sauce mild. The flavor was good.

    First time at Hook & Reel with my family! Drinks and food were so delicious. What really made the…read moreexperience was our server Jay. He was super attentive, quick with drink refills, knowledgeable about the menu, and even gave our nephew candy! Can't wait to make this a family tradition. Shoutout Jay!!!!!

    Photos
    Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar - Dining area

    Dining area

    Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar - Sweet Potatoe fries

    Sweet Potatoe fries

    Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar - Sister's birthday dinner

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    Sister's birthday dinner

    J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood

    J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood

    4.3(980 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$$

    J. Gilbert's in Glastonbury never fails to deliver a five-star evening. The warm, inviting ambiance…read moresets the perfect mood whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner, or simply looking for an outstanding meal. The wood-fired steaks are cooked to absolute perfection--tender, rich, and full of incredible smoky flavor. Paired with their signature crab cakes, warm sourdough bread, and top-tier sides like the mac and cheese, every dish hits the mark. The cocktail selection and wine pairings elevate the entire experience.

    We made this reservation a week in advance and specifically requested Amanda, as she was a big part…read moreof the reason we previously decided to return to J. Gilberts to celebrate another milestone with our son--his completion of ODS. Our reservation was for 7:30 PM, and after waiting about 10 minutes for our table, I asked whether we were being seated in Amanda's section. That was when we were told that Amanda no longer works at J. Gilberts. I was honestly surprised and disappointed that we weren't informed of this when making the reservation, especially since we specifically requested her. The food was OK as our steaks were more than medium rare (dry, not juicy) but unfortunately the overall experience felt very average this time. What made our previous visit special was the warmth, personal attention, and connection we experienced with Amanda. That feeling simply wasn't there this time. I understand that staff changes happen, but given that Amanda was specifically requested and was a major reason we chose to return for another family milestone, I would have appreciated being told in advance. It would have allowed us to set different expectations--or perhaps make another choice. We came back hoping to recreate a special experience, and unfortunately, it just didn't have the same warmth this time around.

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    J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood
    J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood
    J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood

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    The Capital Grille - Filet Mignon – hand-cut classic perfection.

    The Capital Grille

    4.2(523 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown
    $$$

    We went on a whim for happy hour. The quality we've had during regular hours was always excellent…read moreand we wondered what a smaller, less expensive menu would bring. It was all we wanted and more. The sliced strip steak was perfectly done on a chimichurri base. The small lamb chops were also perfect. Other dishes were equally outstanding. After we paid and called for the car to be brought (handy valet parking!), my wife was complimenting the server for her great work. My wife for mentioned it was my birthday and the service made it special. Little did we know. The server said "wait here", disappeared for a couple of minutes, and returned with two small desserts. They were on a happy birthday plate. Gratis! We will return with friends!

    The sliced strip steak served over chimichurri was cooked perfectly, and the lamb chops were just…read moreas exceptional. Every dish we tried was outstanding. What truly made the evening memorable was the service. After we had paid and called for our car (the valet parking is a great convenience), my wife mentioned to our server that it was my birthday and complimented her on the wonderful service. To our surprise, she returned a few minutes later with two complimentary desserts beautifully presented on a "Happy Birthday" plate. Such a thoughtful gesture made an already fantastic experience even more special.

    Photos
    The Capital Grille - Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.

    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.

    The Capital Grille - Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.

    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.

    The Capital Grille - 14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

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    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

    Max Fish - Lobster bake

    Max Fish

    4.1(635 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$$

    Max Fish will have something great for any seafood and fish lover. Everything I tried here was…read moregreat, with great dish combinations as well as perfectly cooked fish. We had the sampler to start where every item was either fresh raw seafood or some clever seafood mix. The calamari salad has some great sauce with it and the trio of crudo has some wonderful fish. The Grilled Atlantic Swordfish was perfection. The swordfish was cooked perfectly and it went so well with the romesco. All the sides worked so well together and it is one of the most well put together dishes I've had. I also tried the scallops. The ricotta gnocchi with the Marsala sauce is fantastic and the scallops are cooked perfectly as well. Very rarely do you get a seafood place that knows both how to cook it and how to pair it but Max Fish does so expertly.

    The 1 star rating is based on food ONLY. My server Dominic was so kind and attentive along with all…read morethe other staff they all deserve 5/5 stars!! I have been coming to max fish for some time now and between dinner drinks apps and dessert for 2-3 people you average $300 which is fine but recently the past two times I've come here the food just hasn't been as good as before making it not nearly worth almost a Car payment amount. The only item consistently delicious is the buffalo shrimp otherwise everything has been a hit or miss. I got oysters and they tasted a tad funky and I got the seafood pasta dish and it did not have much flavor besides the red pepper flakes, which I put in it. Otherwise it tasted very plain and bland and watery which was disappointing since I was excited for it and for $40. The dessert option brown butter cookie just tasted very bland as well seemed like the cookie packs I buy at the grocery store and make at home.

    Photos
    Max Fish - Bar dining area

    Bar dining area

    Max Fish - Fish & Chips

    Fish & Chips

    Max Fish - Lobster pasta

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    Lobster pasta

    Bar Max - bars - Updated September 2026

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