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Cafe Maxx
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
2601 E Atlantic BlvdPompano Beach, FL 33062
(954) 782-0606
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
30 reviews for Cafe Maxx
Review Highlights
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"...olive and goat cheese encrusted lamb chops, these chops..." In 2 reviews -
"Ordered the Tuna Pizza and Calamary, both were amazing." In 5 reviews -
"My friend tried the peppercorn filet mignon and thought it..." In 3 reviews
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30 reviews in English
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Review from Christina L.
Pompano Beach, FL
2/2/2012 1 photo
If you are the adventurous sort then Cafe Maxx is the place for you! I am a big fan of this place due to 2 things...1. They have a new menu daily . And 2. The food is fantastic.
During my latest visit I had the Atkins Shrimp and Seafood Scampi, great dish and the seafood was cooked perfectly, the broth had amazing flavor and i never missed the pasta.
My date had the lamb chops with goat cheese which was rich and decadent and every bite was a full body experience!
This place is truly a gem of a find in an area that is slowly being taking over by mediocre chains.
By the way make sure to save room for dessert the range of options and quality is out of this world! -
Review from Carol M.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1/1/2012
Good, not great. Expected much better for the price . We had the lobster ravioli and the duck ravioli, again,it was good, but not worthy of the amazing reviews and reputation. Maybe he was having an off night. I would go back to give it another try. Maybe their meat dishes are better.
The dessert menu was pretty creative and looked pretty tasty. -
Review from Pam N.
Montvale, NJ
3/15/2012
We brought a large party here for dinner. It was excellent! Menu changes daily which is nice. The selection of food was good too. I would have given it 5 starts, but the service was a little slow. Not sure if they were short handed or what, but the waiter was very nice. We will visit again!
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Review from Linda Z.
New York, NY
6/4/2011
Although the menu sounded fantastic and the concepts seemed favorable, we ended up with huge chunks of meat lacking any subtle flavors. Standard American cuisine with massive portions that hit you in the face. Steak was tasteless wile the french fries were overly salty. Mustard lamb chops could use less mustard and more thought in flavor development. It seemed as if you weren't a regular, they weren't all that interested. The quality and freshness of the ingredients was spot on, but the chef could use a lighter had. If the prices were better, I would say give it a try but its not worth dropping $150 on a dinner for two.
The decor seems half fine dining half pub with booths with sticky seats surrounding a room of white tableclothed tables. The lighting was trendy but the carpet was older. Overall disappointed. -
Review from Marqus R.
7/22/2011 2 photos
Food wise, it's definitely one of the top restaurants in the Lauderdale area. The menu is made up daily and always with the very best and freshest of ingredients. Because of the fact of the changing menu it would be difficult to recommend any particular item.
The menu is always creative, unique and inventive. I am always hit by something I have either never tried or never hear of previously. For example, Caviar Pie was on the menu during my most recent visit and they also have dishes not often seen in South Florida like fresh Hog Fish Snapper.
The chef at Café Maxx is well known in the area and rightly so. He instructs various cooking classes and his preparation are always done in a unique, creative way that enhances every culinary experience I have ever had at Café Maxx.
The drawbacks? Well, the décor doesn't amount to much and neither does its location which some have best described as being "strip mall chic." It's also pricey. An appetizer, salad, entrée and a couple of drinks will probably set you back a full Franklin....$100; but it could be more. However, for those who enjoy the uniqueness and creativity of culinary arts served in an unpretentious atmosphere, the experience is well worth the price.
As for any hints I might pass on, I'd suggest that unless you are going there intending to be a part of a wine tasting group, schedule your dinning experience for another time as things tend to be loud and the wait staff generally becomes confused. -
Review from Rob C.
Smithtown, NY
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Thank you Cafe Maxx, I brought large groups two nights in a row and each meal was very successful. Menu was very creative and love that they change the menu every night. Food was very good not spectacular, but definitely the best meals I ever had in the Fort Lauderdale area. The service was great and everything we had was very good. Love that the house chardonnay was Markham! I will be back and I looking forward to seeing what's on the menu next.
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Review from Frank F.
Hialeah, FL
10/23/2011
Ridiculous price for wines. We had to pay $50 for a half bottle of bad wine. We should have bought it by the glass because it would have been cheaper because the "half bottle" did not even fill three glasses. What a scam! Otherways the appetizers were disappointing, the escargots were served outside of their shell with a piece of bread in the middle (first time I've seen them served like this) and were probably found in the backyard. The fried calamari salad included a lot of crust and few calamari if at all. The main course did improve the experience somewhat with some mouth watering duck served around flavorful vegetable rice and duck raviolis with bold and rewarding taste. All in all a very pricey yet interesting experience whose limitations were the price of the wine and the quality of the appetizers. Will not come back.
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Review from Sean H.
Pompano Beach, FL
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Service is above average, not great but the food is Fantastic, nice ambiance, menu is extensive and changes throughout the seasons. Chef Saucey is in house most times.
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Review from Michael I.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
12/13/2011
Excellent food and great service with an intimate atmosphere. We did the pre-fixe menu and it was all deadly. Had the swordfish with quinoa and wow! They misplaced our reservation and came over to us and fixed it and made sure we knew they had it. The wine was awesome...a malbec that I forget now but its was great. Good Times man Good Times!
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Review from Martin P.
Walnut Creek, CA
3/12/2011
This place is amazing. I've eaten here a few times and been completely wow'd every time. This ranks as one of the best restaurants I've ever been too.
They have a few consistent items on their menu but most items are custom to the day and market availability.
The food is incredible, service is impeccable and the entire experience is great.
If you've never been, GO! -
Review from Diego M.
Chicago, IL
10/13/2010 2 Check-ins Here
As you can see the previous reviews, this place is amazing!
Started off with some cali wine, a very small winery out of Anderson Valley. Ordered the Tuna Pizza and Calamary, both were amazing!
As for my entrée, I went with the pine crusted mahi with mango salsa...needless to say it was fantastic!
Of course had to finish with a desert, the Key Lime pie was off the chain!
Trust me.. you won't be disappointed, specially because they are part of Dine out Lauderdale, $35 specials from Sun-Thur! -
Review from Swipes L.
Pompano Beach, FL
11/27/2011
You know you have walked into a fantastic place when the owner greets you at the door. You know you are going to enjoy every bite when you can see the open kitchen and the chef/owner in plain site. And you know you have a new favorite when every time you want to go out to eat you crave the name....Cafe Maxx. Every time we go we try something different and I have never been disappointed. In fact my expectations are always surpassed. Not only is their menu seasonal, bu they also offer a "lighter fare" menu list that does not compromise on flavor, the drinks are generous, the wine list diverse and delicious. They even offer cooking classes, wine tastings from novice to expert, and they participate in Broward Dine out. Do your taste buds the favor.
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Review from Sandra J.
Indianapolis, IN
9/8/2010
Cafe Maxx is my all time FAVORITE restaurant. The food is spectacular , creative and always cooked to perfection. The staff is not only on point but pretty terrific. I like walking into a restaurant where they recognize you even if you've been only a couple of times. Don't skip dessert. Their creme brulee isn't the typical version, they go all out with theirs.
If you have a chance to attend a wine dinner, do, they are a hoot! -
Review from Denise J.
Boca Raton, FL
9/13/2009
Cafe Maxx is as special as it gets, with real food in a real place, run by real chefs. Oliver is an amazing technician. All the staff are attentive and informative, and I enjoy hanging out at the initimate bar. It has served Fort Lauderdale for many, many years, and is always one of the top spots. This is a go- to place for a very special occasion, wine tastings, cooking classes, or just because you are in the neighborhood. Tender care is given to an array of changing dishes, yet the comfortable standbys are truly memorable. The decor is cool, hip, simple, with some interesting art. But the food is the real star here.
The wine list is a true wine afficionada's dream to peruse. Plus, the night I was there, they gave me half off a bottle of a special Californian Zinfandel selection. For an appetizer, the tuna caviar pizza is an amazing combination. Trust me, it sounds strange, but when the flavors mingle on the tongue, something sublime occurs. As a fish eater, order any, and they change nightly. Friends all love the meats. The sides are creative. But on to dessert...last time, I had the apple tart. The pastry was perfect, and we left so satisfied. -
Review from Maurice C.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
10/14/2011
I've been here a couple of times now, and it's been consistently good so far. I don't eat foie gras very often, but I really enjoy their Hudson Valley foie gras. It's actually better than the foie gras that I've eaten in France.
My favorite entree here would probably be the goat cheese encrusted lamb chops, which come with a delicious sundried tomato and mixed herb risotto and grilled vegetables. But they have a rather extensive menu and there are lots of other entrees which would also be good.
For wine, I usually get a glass of prosecco, which is like Italian champagne. They have very good prosecco here, but their wine list is pretty extensive overall so you really can't go wrong here. For dessert, I usually like to get their homemade ice cream trio for a light and cool treat, but their dessert menu like the rest of their menu is rather extensive, so there's all sorts of stuff you can get for dessert.
Overall, this is just an excellent restaurant with a large, but not too large menu with a diverse style of food and drink and desserts. I'd highly recommend it to both locals and tourists whenever you're in the Pompano Beach area. -
Review from Steffanie C.
New York, NY
7/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is really great. I had their Duck with grilled peachs and chipotle sauce. No real taste of Chipotle (which I use all the time) it did taste like all spice, cloves, and nutmeg, all in all very thanksgiving/christmas-ie. The Peaches were grilled perfectly, I just wish they gave you more than 2, and the sweet potatoes were perfect with the sauce and duck. I also had the flourless cake which was amazing! WOW! Hot chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge with fresh berries, I stuffed myself with this, so good. All in all very good dinner when I am in town I will come here again.
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Review from Max D.
Boca Raton, FL
8/27/2011
Food deserves 5 stars. Service not commensurate with food quality. Unfortunate as their chef is outstanding. Ask for summer special, you'll be surprised with depth of selections. I'm always disappointed when high quality food is not matched by service. Suggest management address this issue.
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Review from Vasili K.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
4/30/2010
Fantastic! Last night was my third time at Cafe Maxx and I can't get enough! Definitely try as many appetizers as possible, with the Tuna pizza at the top of the list!
I absolutely love this place! -
Review from Josh B.
Pompano Beach, FL
2/24/2011
Hands down this is my favorite restaurant. Food, service, and wine list are all outstanding. I have never had a bad experinece here. If you are looking for casual fine dining; it does not get better than this in Broward County. The menu changes nightly but certain popular items are mainstays that have been on the menu for years. The Tuna Sashimi Pizza is a must have as far as appetizers go, this thing is incredible, it is crunchy, creamy, salty, sweet, tangy and refreshing all at once. It is light enough for two people to share and still have plenty of room for your entree. As far as entree's are concerned you can't really go wrong with any of them, But if you like fish i recommend the Sweet Onion Crusted Yellowtail Snapper, and if you like beef order the Three Peppercorn Filet Mignon. It is worth leaving a little room for dessert, beacuse it is always excellent. -Enjoy
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Review from Zankza V.
Opa-locka, FL
12/31/2011
great restaurant! the food and service is tops! while the patrons appear to be high end folks( i'm a shlub) the place is not snobby! if you are in the fort lauderdale area visting and do not mind spending money on a great meal, you should make a reservation and check this place out!
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Review from T L.
Broward, FL
2/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow! I have a new favorite restaurant! After reading all the great reviews, I had high expectations of this place, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!!
I started with a glass of bartender-recommended Pinot noir.. Very nice! Then when seated, we ordered the pistachio-fried shrimp and the tuna app pizza! The shrimp and the fruit salsa they were upon were great, but that tuna pizza!!!! Oh my.. I could live off that appetizer! Could have eaten quite a few orders of that! We also ordered the lobster and shrimp bisque- very tasty with pieces of shrimp and lobster in it! For entrees, we ordered the twin maple duck breast and the onion crusted snapper! The duck was the most tender, tastiest duck I have ever had. It was served with raisins and sweet potato and was just divine! The onion crusted snapper was to die for!!! I repeat, to die for! The onions and sauce.. Oh my!! Sooo good!
For dessert, we ordered the vanilla creme brûlée! A perfect end to a perfect meal!!
I have to also comment about how fast the service was- most impressive! I can not wait to return! -
Review from Kurt v.
Westport, MA
1/24/2011
It takes a lot for me to give more than 3 stars for any restaurant. We usually only go to places where I know the chef or owner and generally have a great time. That makes the difference. Any random place can be dissappointing when your expectations are high(based on a great review) and service, food or price kill it for you.
I had not been to this restaurant since 1994. It was then an exceptional dinner that I remember to this day; Filet with espresso dry rub crust seared to perfection.
We were in town & stopped in the other night because I remembered the restaurant & wanted to see if it was still around (I am not a native floridian).
A Tuesday night and the place was not busy. Which can be a bad sign.
I do have a rule that if we are not greated by the host within 60 seconds, the experience can only go down from there. Well the hostess greated us right away and seated us immediately. The server did not great us for at least 4 minutes. Now this is not a lifetime but I always think that at least they could say hi I will be with you in a few moments (or" who let YOU in here"), I don't care, just communicate.
Anyway our server made a brilliant move when he approached us & made a remark that we looked familiar and he just wanted to refresh our memory about the menu and the daily selection -You sir are going to be a great politician some day.
We had the signature tuna pizza. Excellent! the only suggestion would be to go a bit lighter on the wasabi creme cheese. I love the heat but not everyone did.
The poultry fan thought that the Chicken w/cherry port jus was the best she ever had
The Vegetarian usually is never 'wowed' by a restaurant's typical house veg platter consisting of a spattering of steamed broccoli and carrots. She said the vegetarian dish is was the best she one ever (I secretly think butter & chicken stock was involved, ha-ha).
I had the onion crusted snapper, as much as I want to say something was wrong, I can't. (I could pour the madeira sauce on my breakfast).
A miscommunication on desserts was rectified and we gorged ourselves on The Carrot cake (discustingly excellent) Chocolate tart and espresso torte - I didn't get any but heard that it was superior. That coming from someone who claims to be 'not a desserter'.
Thankfully it wasn't that busy, because we got to enjoy a exceptional meal, great service at a deserved price. You certainly don't get that at any of the popular places down at the Galleria. Cafe Maxx has stood the test of time and succeeds brilliantly. We cannot wait to return. -
Review from Denise O.
Boca Raton, FL
7/31/2011
We've been going here for years. The food and service is always exceptional. My favorite is the snapper. The atmosphere is always so relaxing. Five stars all the way!!! The food is always amazing, the flavor combinations are well thought out and always prepared well. It has a certain magic that deserves to be recognized. Love this place!
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Review from Stacy C.
Deerfield Beach, FL
12/6/2011
Love this place. We have been here on several occassions and have never been disappointed. Don't judge a book by its cover. The place is not all glitz and glam but elegant. The food is terrific. We've been there for New Year's eve and didn't feel rushed and didn't have to settle for an abridged menu like most places. We've had the Lobster tacos, Filet, Snapper, Venison Chops. Expensive but well worth it.
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Review from Bob B.
Parkland, FL
12/31/2010
We"ve experienced years of excellent service and cuisine.
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Review from Craig E.
Brooklyn, NY
2/17/2009
This place was AMAZING the night I went with my GF. The menu is large, varied and eclectic. We had some sort of Tuna wasabi pizza appetizer that was beyond good. We also had a chicken flat bread app that was good but paled compared to the tuna pizza.
Dinner was a 3 peppercorn filet mignon and rack of lamb. The ONLY downside to our meal was all the side stuff that comes with the main courses was a bit on the "meh" side. Not good, not bad. We mostly ignored it.
The wait staff was friendly and attentive. -
Review from Nastassia D.
Arvada, CO
4/30/2010 3 photos
This place was amazing, I cannot afford dining here on a normal day, but if someone wants something special this is the place to take them. The location wasn't as posh as the restaurant, but the food didn't disappoint. For my appetizer I had the coconut curry rock shrimp, baked gulf oysters, and the Spanish cheese tasting plate, they all tasted lovely. I must note that I am lactose intolerant and none of the cheeses bothered me, since they were aged. My main was the kalamata olive and goat cheese encrusted lamb chops, these chops were so tender that they melted in my mouth. This was honestly one of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time. One more note, the cocktails weren't to impressive, I ordered a ginger martini and I got sweet blue koolaid.
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Review from Wes D.
Boynton Beach, FL
6/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
loud environment on a busy saturday night, but we got seated in the backroom which was very nice and quiet.
started with the lobster enchilada and beef tartar. the tartar was OUTSTANDING but the enchilada was forgettable.
my entree was the duck & mozzarella ravioli which was great.
the creme brulee was a great end to the meal. -
Review from Jonathan E.
New York, NY
2/17/2009
Cafe Maxx is decent. Everything they do is unmemorable. Every dish had some sort of slipup whether it was slightly overcooking fish or an overly salty side. Some of the appetizers just did not work. At these prices, you expect a great meal and this establishment leaves something to be lacking. The ambience is ok if you like strip mall chic, but I'm sure that has more to do with the utter disappointment with the meal.
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Review from Lucy L.
Broward, FL
10/12/2009
Last night I dined with 2 girl friends here specifically for the Dine out Broward special that was going on. Its worth the $35 price point for a 4 course meal, but not worth paying the normal prices. This place has a nice ambiance and is quiet. The service was pretty good and friendly. I recommend the beef tenderloin tartare for starters. It has fresh cilantro and the meat was chopped up into little cubes, then shaped into a small cup, not thinely sliced like i expected. One of my friends had the tempura shrimp and thought it was just ok. For the second course, I recommend the braised beef bolognese, very satisfying flavors, the meat was very tender. My friends had the Mediterranean salad which had no flavor and was not worth ordering. For the main course i tried the Double lamb chops which was good except fot the goat cheese on top. I would hold the cheese next time, for the most part it tasted like cheese wiz and did not add anything to the dish. My friend tried the peppercorn filet mignon and thought it was very good-highly recommend. Last for dessert, I had the bread pudding which i enjoyed the ice cream on the side and left most of the bread pudding. I do not recommend. My friends both tried the creme brule served in asian spoons and thought the dessert was just ok. Overall 3 out of 4 dishes were to my liking. My friends said 2 out of 4 for them.
