Chez Max Restaurant

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Angus beef, vintage ports and a stone fireplace deliver a country squire experience in the city.. The Scene
Virginia Hunt Country atmosphere in the city? Polished wood, stone, hunting prints and starched white tablecloths set the mood for a quiet meal, romantic interlude or impressive business dinner. The brunch crowd isn't a bit stuffy and is more eclectic, but Sunday portions are too petite for serious appetites. Superb service ensures a genteel Southern experience.

The Food
Classic American steakhouse menu (they even serve hard-to-find beef bourguignonne) with chicken and seafood additions. Veal lovers indulge in five different choices: a plain chop or Emilio, Marsala, Francis or Cognac-style dishes. Choose hash browns for your side--the chefs have perfected a home-style version. Brunch offerings include a good Benedict, omelets or burgers.

Doesn't Recommend

troutonfly

Joined 11 years ago

Extraordinarily average. Everything about the Gray Swamp Inn is so mediocre it seems as though someone actively tried to make it as unerringly lukewarm middle-of-the-road as possible. Uninspired but unoffensive food. Decor sure to neither please nor offend. Service at once lackluster and unhelpful. I can attribute the durability of this restaurant to the undiscriminating palate of the far Henrico County suburbanites and near Goochland County 'country squires' that constitute its clientele.

Recommends

bellwood1000

Joined 10 years ago

Surprise. This restaurant was a surprise. I had never heard of it before we dined there, but decided to take a chance based upon user reviews. It turned out to be a great experience. The pan fried lobster tail appetizer was outstanding and the beef entrees were excellent. The fireplace in the main dining room adds a nice homey touch to the atmosphere. It is a little pricey, but so is the rest of Richmond. The only complaint the night we went was the temperature of the dining room. It was too cold. The server said that it was an HVAC problem that night.