On a whim I decided to try a french restaurant that i've never been to. This is the first one on my list. The place looks just like any other typical restaurant. I like to dine early, so when my dad and I walked in, they showed us to our table. We placed our orders and the bread arrived, typical baguette sliced and warm. the butter appeared to be cultured french butter. Next, the Ahi tuna, well presented and with a balanced sauce. I then cleansed my pretentious palate with a bowl of delicious french onion soup. This soup would be very hard for me to replicate. Now, when the waiter was going about describing the special, I stopped him mid way and told him that he had me at 'soft-shell crab'. That was indeed what came next, a well prepared dish with regional seafood. One of the best softshell crab dishes that I've ever have. I will have to come back again and try other dishes from the regular menu next time. read more

Chez Max Restaurant - Special of the day, only word you need to know is softshell crabs - French Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I hadn't been here since I was younger but my expectations were high. Although it's been here forever and ties to this place I was disappointed. The steak was fine but nothing worth going back for. Carrots and potatoes were flavorless along with everything needing to be salted. The onion soup was also lacking that deep and rich flavor. The people were nice but just not the best overall as I had hoped. Ambiance is still old decor and could be spruced up quite a bit. read more

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Holy cow. This place is le bomb! Everything - the ambiance (white table cloths), the service, the cocktails, and the food - all chef's kiss. We began with a couple of appetizers - including the French onion soup, which was super cheesy and the broth was so flavorful. Not to brag (I'm bragging), but I've had French onion soup in France and this was just as good. The tartare was what really stood out - it was SO fresh, light, delicious. The potato gaufrette (basically a baked ruffle chip) and tuna was a fantastic pairing. I opted for the salmon stuffed with crabmeat - you read that right. I've never had a better seafood dish in Richmond, and I'm not even a huge salmon fan. Every Richmonder should experience this place at least once - it's surely a treat and the staff gave us a wonderful experience. read more

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Excellent service by Rollin !!!!! Amazing food. I had the best pork chop of my life. And my husband had salmon. We shared afew vegetables. And we have leftovers !!!! What a lovely way to celebrate our 48th anniversary!!!!!! read more

I was excited to try this spot and was not disappointed! There was a decent crowd for dinner, many of whom seemed to be regulars. After eating here, I can see why there were so many regulars! It is definitely quaint and has a more traditional feel, which I loved. The wooden interior and fireplace added to its charm. The staff was very welcoming and seated us quickly at a great table near the fireplace. Our waiters, Oliver and Roland, were fantastic!! The menu is not as expansive as some other spots I've been to but I liked all of the dishes and felt the restaurant offered a good variety and at really great prices. We skipped over apps and went straight to entrees and tried three different ones - Filet Mignon, Peking Duck, and Lamb Chops. Everything was perfect! The Filet Mignon was delicious and cooked to a perfect medium. The Peking Duck was tender and delicious, and paired well with the l'orange sauce. But, for me, the Lamb Chops were the winner. So succulent and tender and just bursting with flavor! I loved mine and happily ate it up. For dessert, we went traditional and had a Creme Brulee, which really hit the spot. Overall, this is a fantastic spot that I cannot recommend enough. I know we plan to revisit wherever we're in the area! read more

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I appreciate that the Dover Sole is available daily.. a lot of places tend to do it as a special. It was pretty good, btw.. de-boned tableside. It was much tastier the next day. The haricot vert?! Garlicky, buttery deliciousness. Some of the best green beans i've had! Service was straightforward, pleasant. Vibes were old school, intimate. Cant wait to see how it stacks up against other French spots in the area- this was my first one in RVA! read more

Dinner was amazing at Chez Max. We had the sea bass with the crawfish butter sauce that was excellent. The liver, seafood crepes, and the lamb chops. Everything was amazing and the scenery was fancy but calming. Our waiter Oliver was very nice and he explained the different dishes and specials to us very well. In all, I had an amazing experience tonight and I would definitely come back! read more

Chez Max Restaurant - French Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We went to Chez Max about 15 years ago and were not impressed with our experience so we haven't been back until now. It's been under new management since 2018 so we thought we would check it out with family. As a party of 6 I would say 2, maybe 3, of us liked the experience enough to go back. The good: Easy parking and entrance is mobility friendly. We all enjoyed the atmosphere which had warm lighting with a wood floor and dark wood, furnishings: a NY fine dining appeal with Frank Sinatra playing in the background. Our server was friendly and efficient and kind enough to offer complimentary champagne for our birthday celebration. The French onion soup appetizer was the best value on the menu at $11 for a tea cup size of delicious soup. The specials are most definitely the way to go for the entrees. Over half of us ordered the venison and halibut specials for the night and were not disappointed. The venison was perfectly cooked and was prepared with a black raspberry? red wine reduction that tasted amazing. The side of green beans were delicate and flavorful. The Halibut was also perfectly cooked and had a very light lemon caper sauce. Almost too light because it lacked a little flavor without the capers but it was cooked so well it didn't bother me. The side of mushrooms were also very good. The side of creamed spinach was just okay for me. I would also say the portion sizes are healthy. And by healthy I mean they're just the right amount for most people so that you're not over eating. If you like huge portions with a big price then this is probably not for you. The bad: the Avocado Brie salad appetizer was a mistake. There was supposedly toast under the melted Brie and avocado but it was all too mushy to tell and I think they forgot the cranberries. My parents were both disappointed in their entrees of duck a l'orange and the veal chop. The duck sauce was bland and the texture was not pleasant while the veal chop was tough to chew. Dessert was a mixed bag as well. We all enjoyed the chocolate molten lava cake with vanilla ice cream but the cheesecake and crème brûlée was a fifty/fifty split. My husband said he would go back because he ordered all the right things but I'm on the fence because it ended up at $100 a person (even though only half of us ordered one glass of wine) so don't know if I enjoyed it that much.... read more

2 out of 3 appetizers were outstanding the tuna was okay, lacking something. The entrées were delicious each having a unique flavor to the dish. The spinach was incredible and was recommended by our server, but the potatoes were extremely bland. The inside of the restaurant was well lit and quiet for a small space. We waited a long while for our server to circle back around running out of water and then also for the check. read more

Chez Max Restaurant - Tuna Tartare GF Fricassee d Escargots en Croute Foie Gras - French Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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fantastic food and service. It's expensive, but it's worth it for a special occasion. If you're not interested in a fancy dining experience, you can sit at the bar. Bartender was very friendly and made sure we were happy with everything. read more

I had wanted to visit this restaurant for some time and had high expectations. Sadly it didn't happen. I made a reservation and was asked if it was a special occasion. I advised it was a birthday celebration. I was advised we would have a complementary glass of champagne. We arrived at our reservation time and were promptly seated. Unfortunately other tables were serviced before us that were seated after us. The waiter seemed indifferent to our table and seemed more occupied with a larger table which he kept advised of the score of a football game on in the bar. We were constantly rushed through the evening and the waiter would take a request and leave without checking to what other requests we wanted. We had to rely on other wait staff to handle our requests. Both the appetizer and desert were watery, Crab soup and Crème Brule, and poor quality. Our entrees, Grilled Duck Breast, were good. The birthday and complementary champagne were never mentioned or offered. Overall very disappointing! read more

Oui, oui! Just so you know... this is a quiet, little hidden gem of a restaurant in the West End! It's tucked away in a separate building next to a brick strip mall at the corner of Pump & Patterson. The façade is ooh-la-la so French, with the black & white striped awnings, the cream paint, and the wrought iron lamp posts. Totally sets the mood for gorgeous interior. In the small foyer, pretty floral wallpaper greets you as brightly as the hostess! I've dined here on several occasions, once for our anniversary, which was incredibly special! They made us feel like the only ones in the restaurant! We've been to their Sunday brunch a few times... amazing! Right now during COVID, they have suspended that service. Most recently, my bff and I called for a dinner reservation at 7:00 pm and they accommodated us for a 7:30 seating! What service! The hostess informed us they were only at 1/2 capacity and were up to snuff on the CDC requirements. We were graciously ushered to our cozy table as we soaked in the ambiance. (The tables were spaced out so we felt secure!) Although this dining room is tastefully appointed and über chic, it has a casual, welcoming feel. We love the rustic stone fireplace complementing the hardwood floors. The fireplace is a perfect spot for a photo op... "say fromage!" The beautiful bar area, festive French artwork, French iron wall sconces and exposed wooden wine storage all add to the French Country style. Our server, Roland, gave us impeccable service. Glasses of water and a basket of sliced French baguette magically appeared on our table as we perused the wine list and the menu. We chose a light bodied red, Côtes du Rhône, which was the perfect companion to our meal. Our appetizers included she-crab soup and a light Caesar salad. For our entrée we chose the black angus filet mignon with a green peppercorn sauce. It was melt in your mouth superb accompanied with green beans and roasted potatoes. For dessert we had the crème brûlée and the cheesecake. All the dishes were artfully presented. (You'll see some other dishes we tried on various occasions in the pics-suffice it to say, we've always been thrilled with the menu!) The evening was topped off by some tawny port and Earl Grey tea. After our meal, the owner, Brian, asked about our stay, and we chatted a bit. It had been his dream since boyhood to own a restaurant, and he has certainly fulfilled his dream with this inviting French café! Take my word for it, Chez Max is the place to "brie"!! read more

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Wonderful ambience, exceptional service, extensive wine list, and savory French cuisine. When you step in the front door you are greeted warmly. You immediately take in the surroundings and the cozy atmosphere. The tables are spaced nicely to allow for private conversation. We celebrated my birthday during our visit and were given complimentary champagne. All of the food we ordered was fabulous, from the soups and salad, entrees, and desserts. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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Older more traditional atmosphere, was expecting run of the mill food but it was surprisingly good. Pork chop exceeded expectations but the tartare was a little acidic for my taste. Worth a visit. More emphasis and attention could be placed on the sides. Service was top notch as well. read more

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The service was outstanding from everything be we experienced including the owner that checked in on us several times. The food was fresh, appealing, and flavorful. We enjoyed every dish we had but the Calf Liver, hands down, was our favorite. Can't wait to return. read more

Had a crazy busy weekend and didn't want any of my leftovers... decided to go to the bar only me... they have a cozy little bar that's very nice . The bartender Trevor was so welcoming even though it was a busy Saturday night @5:30 I picked a chair and was immediately given water, menus and a smile. I ordered the House Cabernet which was actually very nice. It wasn't too fruit forward, and it was heavy enough to stand up to anything . I ordered the mussels appetizer which were sautéed in garlic and shallots, and finished with a heavy cream. They were divine, and the free basket of bread was perfect for dipping in the sauce. Next I ordered my dinner, which probably isn't everyone's cup of tea but I ordered the calf liver. They have the best calves liver if you like liver go there and get it, it was accompanied by haricots verts and small roasted potatoes... I only ate half because I was going to treat myself to dessert, which I ordered the crème brûlée. It was divine yourself a favor and don't forget about the small little French restaurant, which is great and friendly and very welcoming. read more

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Delicious meal including crab soup, filet mignon and chocolate dessert. Great service as well! Flavors were on point. Only one small issue - I did not get a steak knife to cut my steak. read more

Chez Max Restaurant - French Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I went to this restaurant strictly for the Dover Sole as I've had it in London and it's hard to find a place that does it right. It was delicious and I'll go back. The soup was also delicious. I wish they served mashed potatoes. read more

Chez Max Restaurant - She Crab Soup - French Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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The food and service were absolutely amazing! My boyfriend and I make reservations around our birthdays, because the ambiance is nice, the patrons are dressed business smart, the food is delicious and the diners are having great conversation with one another...truly a classy place and experience. I gave it four stars this time, because there was a family with a young girl at the table next to us. They had set up an "entertainment system" at the table complete with 11" iPad on it's stand (upright) and Bose headphones to "keep her busy", while the three adults held a conversation around her. They had her on the aisle so that the screen was visible to all the patrons around her, rather than putting her on the wall side, to be less of a distraction. It was distracting to say the least... I guess not even a beautiful dining experience can go without full tech. Unfortunate to say the least. read more

As close to France as I'll ever get. I enjoy dinning at that the bar however if dinning with 3 or more I usually take a table. Reservations easily made, greeting by host always pleasant . The Chef is a profectionist . The food is always perfect and fabulous. Love it .... Go there read more

Chez Max Restaurant - Mr. G dinning out - French Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Absolutely love chez max the food is so good the service is amazing the atmosphere is wonderful 10/10

My wife and I have been here a bunch of times since my original review. I'd have to say I've noticed a significant improvement in presentation and service. Not sure if they have a new chef or new management, but whatever they've done lately... I hope they keep it up! Dinner for 2 ran about $200 with wine and tip. We'll be back. read more

Food and service are always excellent. Parking is easy and the ambience is French country

Service was good. Food was excellent. Ambiance was best it could be for a converted space.

I have to post about the lovely dinner we had last night! The food was excellent as always. Thank you, Brian Moore, for saving my sanity (we have been without power since Monday). Roland was attentive and knowledgeable. Keep up the good work, you guys! Always spot on! read more

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Only reason I'm giving 2 stars is bc the food was good and the service was pretty good. But that did not make up for the rudeness of the owner who clapped his hands, said the restaurant was closing in 5 mins. This was at 9:25. Typically if hours are stated 5:00-9:00, it means the kitchen closes at 9:00 and no more orders will be taken. We were in the middle of an important business meeting and his rudeness and bad timing won't be forgotten. He has lost several customers. read more

Creamy, tasty, soft, delicious! It has little pieces of crab. The size could be bigger. But it was a great soup. read more

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We came here for a family Mother's day dinner. We were seated promptly but there were definitely areas for improvement. The website noted that they would be open for mother's day and serving their standard menu, but the menu we received was missing several items on the standard menu. We were disappointed that there was no sweet bread and foie gras which my mother really wanted to try. Our waitress was very professional and nice but a little better communication would have been helpful. We waited over an hour from when we ordered our food and were waiting for a very long time overall. Thank goodness we had bread. It was also strange to us that the wine wasn't brought out with the food that it would've paired with. As for the food, we were overall underwhelmed. The soups were too salty and tasted mediocre. The lamb chops only came with 3, and for the price, we'd expect 4 or 5. The dover was also very heavy because it was drenched in the sauce which seemed to just be butter. It was too rich to finish in one sitting, so we took it home. We will say that the calves liver was delicious though! We were looking forward to dessert but opted not to stay based on our experience. read more

I have to be honest, we were very surprised this place wasn't packed given the quality of the food. The cocktails were fantastic as well. It's tough going out with a baby and showing up dressed like you're ready to be thrown up on at any moment can present its challenges as well. They made sure we were well taken care of and made sure we were comfortable. For those who are worried about COVID, there was plenty of distance and precautions put into place. Give this place your business because they certainly deserve it I should add that the place is not inexpensive but be an adult and look up the prices before you go. There is nothing more frustrating than someone complaining about prices and portions when the place clearly provides the cost of food and a French restaurant isn't a bbq platter sized meal. read more

Cozy and inviting French restaurant. We took my mom here for dinner last week on cool night. The hostess greeted us warmly and seated us at a quiet table in the center room. Service was excellent - attentive without hovering - and the waiter knew the menu and offered suggestions. Appetizers are a standout here. The special seafood crepes were delicious, with paper thin crepes stuffed with mixed seafood in a light sauce. The French onion soup was light with a nice touch of herbs. It had a proper topping of cheese, but the entire dish was not as hearty as you'll find elsewhere. The entrees are a mix of classic French and American. We had lamb, filet Mignon and crab cakes. All the meats were perfectly cooked with subtle sauces to accentuate but not overpower the meat. Crab cakes were dense, lightly seasoned and full of crab. The whipped potatoes on the side were buttery and creamy. And we all loved the preparation of the green beans. For dessert the creme caramel was our favorite - perfectly prepared and so French. The apple pear tart was wonderful as well. Great service, cozy "old school" atmosphere, and wonderful food. What's not to like? If you want a trendy vibe and eclectic menu, Chez Max is not for you. But if you want a classic meal in an inviting setting, this is it! read more

Last night's dining escapade took me to a well hidden jewel of RVA in Canterbury. As soon as I walked through the door, without saying anything, "Oh, Mr. Worthington. Pleasure to see you, right this way." Immediately Impressed! The intimately lighted atmosphere, soft street music of France, and oaky finish, gave subtle hints of the locale being a smooth spot to set off a romantic evening. Lovely pieces of art bedecked the walls. This spot has been recently awarded Diners' Choice of 2019, with Executive Chef Skip Frazzano, being listed amongst the top ten chefs of RVA. The restaurant relishes in their fine French gourmet and friendly staff; that quite honestly, I wouldn't mind chilling and having a drink with these fellas. Mesdames et Messieurs of Discovering RVA, allow me to help illuminate...Chez Max. . Appetizer- Stuffed Mushrooms- Three prodigious Cremini mushrooms stuffed with crab meat and accompanied with horseradish aioli. . To all my Seafood lovers out there...Get this dish. You know I won't steer you wrong. Ok, enough of my rant... . Entree- Grilled Quail- Two deliciously tarragon marinated quails, escorted by freshly sauteed spinach and mushrooms, with a princely helping of whipped potatoes. . Excellence de l'eau à la bouche! . Wine Pairing- a glass of Pinot Noir, Firesteed, 2017, Willamette, OR. . Roland- Thank you again Good Sir. I certainly enjoyed conversing with you. Your hospitality, rapport, and service was on point. I wish you many blessings and success. Family, ask for Roland. . Chef Skip- Man...What can I say?! Thank you for Everything. I appreciated you taking the time to come out and see me. Happy Early B'Day and congrats on the 29th wedding anniversary. Chef told me, "You know why people can't duplicate my recipes Ro? Because they miss the key ingredient...Love." Chef Skip gave me a tour of his pristine kitchen and spared no details. He had me feeling like family. Cheers to you Chef. . #804 #va #virginia #rva #richmond #richmondva #rvadine #rvaeats #Rvafood #food #foodies #foodshare #foodstagram #foodiesofinstagram #yummy #foodblog #foodblogger #foodlover #foodpost #foodography #delicious #foodpic #eating #foodandwine read more

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This was our first time in an authentic French restaurant. The staff were super friendly, and the food was heaven. I highly recommend this business and their steak entree, the she crab soup, and for dessert Crème brûlée. The ambiance was fantastic as well as beautiful French music in the background. Will go back again soon! read more

It was very poor quality food. The Dover Sole was hacked to pieces tableside and the arrogant owner told me that they were short staffed and 2 servers for 90 people was more than most restaurants. Lol. Clearly a very poorly operated establishment. Poor training, poor menu selection, management and execution. I'll call the food network to get you on kitchen nightmares. Maybe that will help. Don't waste your money on this place I promise If you know anything about quality food you will be very disappointed you threw away your money with this overpriced pompous nonsense. read more

I came here as a dinner party with my job, ( Party of 19) First let me say that the ambiance was exquisite. Nice enough to enjoy a nice dinner but not overly "stiff". I am not sure if we had the full menu available. But it was plenty of options. I had the She crab soup ( Which was a little salty), a salad with light dijon , Roasted Atlantic Salmon stuffed with jumbo lump crap meat in a caper cream sauce and dessert was an apple and peach Tarte. Which we got to go. The experience was superb! I would recommend this restaurant! Service was slow read more

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Really amazing food. A+ food. Service was good- B+. Ambience is good. Only reason for four stars instead of five is that the interior was not crystal clean- dust and dirt on the interior window sills. Easily fixed. read more

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Went to Chez Max with high expectations and enjoyed the night. Got the Caesar salad which was ok, the bread and butterfat excellent, the duck a l'orange was good as was the diver sole. Solid food but the service was frantic and the drop ceiling has unsightly leak spots on it. Good food but there's better in RVA. read more

First time here after 25+ years living just 2 miles away. Don't let the location fool you. Enter a fairly plain building and you're on another world...European immersion. Food quality exceptional, portions perfect, service professional. Just well worth the visit. read more

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I loved my first time at Chez Max this weekend. We live very close to the restaurant, so the fact that we have not been here is very odd! My husband and I were looking for somewhere fancier to celebrate my birthday. Chez Max delivered! He had some of the best veal he has ever had, and my Dover Sole was amazing. Prepared correctly, filleted table side and was delicious. All entrees come with a salad, vegetable and a side, which was lovely. The only reason that I docked one star is that the appetizers did not have anything we liked. If there was a starter involving crab, I am sure we would have gotten it. They brought out complimentary champagne for me and my husband since we were celebrating my birthday. Very nice! The wine list is extensive and everything is reasonably priced. This place is not suitable for children as the menu has nothing that most kids would eat. If your child is a foodie, I am sure they would enjoy it! I look forward to dining here more often for a nice date night. Overall, great food and amazing service. Oliver was an awesome waiter, and I hope we have him again next time. read more

This was a bit of a toughie. The appetizers here were 5 star status all the way. The dessert was perfectly portioned and perfect on the taste buds as well. As for the coffee, add 4 or 5 packs of sugar and a splash of milk and you're in Miami sippin' on the perfect cortadito. Our waiter was very attentive, helpful, and kind. I'm sure that by now you've noticed what's missing from this review. The entrees were drab. I had the veal cutlet and it tasted like Banquet salisbury steak. The mushrooms completely overpowered what should've been a delicate veal flavor. The characteristic tenderness of veal just was not present either. The plating of the entree was amateurish as well. That, I admittedly noticed from the photos on yelp before dining at Chez Max. For the best experience, stick with apps, salad (very good), seafood, and dessert. My boyfriend's fish was tasty. Back to the strengths, the escargots were delightful--full of garlicky herb flavor and balanced perfectly by a dreamy, can't-get-enough-of-it puff pastry crust on top of the ceramic serving dish. However, I must add that, Little Miss Hostess, my boyfriend and I did not at all fail to notice that although we walked into a practically empty restaurant because it was shortly after opening for dinner, you stuck the appropriately-dressed couple of the wrong skin color in the corner away from everyone else. Even with the restaurant having filled quite a bit 40 mins later, somehow we are still the only ones seated in the corner behind a wood post, next to the view of the lovely of the parking lot and Patterson Avenue. I wonder why we ended up there, despite the fact that the table was intended for more people and there were smaller tables available where everyone else was sitting. Perhaps the manager and the rest of your lovely customers can figure this one out. As far as attire, cocktail dresses or little black dresses for women and suit with jacket or shirt and tie for men. read more

My husband and I came here last night with friends. Based on our waiter's recommendation, I ordered the rockfish. Moist, delicious and a perfect crust! It was served on a bed of pesto mashed potatoes with a side of carrots and asparagus. Both my husband and I commented that we didn't know carrots could taste so delicious! I tried the Apple and pear tart for dessert, again based on our waiter's recommendation. Sweet, moist, and a crisp crust topped with ice cream and a beautiful butterfly crisp. Very impressed with the presentation and taste of everything we ordered. A bit on the pricey side, but a lovely place to keep in mind for special occasions. read more

Chez Max Restaurant - Apple and pear tart - French Near Me - Richmond, Virginia