We walked into a fairly empty restaurant on a Monday evening. The hostess tried to seat the 3 of us in the back by the bar & next to the bathroom. When we asked if we could sit in the front room instead (which was empty!), she shot us a dirty look & squeezed the 3 of us into a tiny table for 2. The steamed asparagus w/proscuitto appetizer consisted of 4 measly sprigs of cold asparagus wrapped in bland, dry proscuitto. Pasta entrees were way too salty, I probably drank 8 glasses of water while I was there. My friend's steak was tough to chew & dry. We thought maybe the dessert would be their redeeming dish for the night..but no way! The tiramisu was horrible. It was obvious it was prepared days ago & was just sitting there with a goopy consistency. The ladyfingers were hard & stale. Waiters were rude. This place was a good standby in years past, but after this recent visit, NEVER AGAIN!!!

I was at max last Thursday night and had a really good experience. I had heard a lot from Max before so I had to give it a chance. I have to say that I had a really good time. My meatloaf was the best I ever tried ( and I love meatloaf so I know when is good). The service was friendly and polite, not Italian waiters though but friendly and handsome Southamerican...The athmosphere of the place is awesome, good music and great deco. .The only thing I would say is they should put tables little away from each other but I guess that's New York.. .

This is a great place to eat if you're not a stuck up preppy or tourist who expects the hostess and wait staff to fawn all over you just because you're dropping $10 on a plate of meatballs.

If you're a down to earth person who doesn't mind no-frills service then I suggest you give it a try. It's my favourite Italian place in the city.

This cozy little Italian eatery serves inexpensive, authentic food to a crowd of appreciative locals. I always get their homemade ravioli, and meatloafi. Everything is good and nothing will put a dent in your wallet. With friendly and efficient waiters, you feel right at home in the simple decor and a charming backyard garden. The dining room is fairly small, and no reservations are accepted.

Oh Max. Hadn't been for 2 or 3 years, but used to go quite often. I hate to be a broken record with many other reviews here, but I brought a lanky 6" 2' friend midweek to a half empty restaraunt, and was seated in literally the smallest, most cramped table in a dark corner next to a couple who looked ready to propose. So we reseated ourselves to an equally small table with a bit more room. We were told that it was a three person table because a chair was stuck surreally into a already tight walking space. Now listen, if a resteraunt needs to squeeze every dime out of its busy nights, then that's a choice they make, and I'll deal. But the concept of actually having happy return customers is also something to consider, I'm a sicilian-american whose been to sicily as well as eaten at many cramped hipster dives in my life. And although joints in Italy can be disorganized, unpredictable and at times frustrating, it is NOT an Italian tradition to be inflexible, and not value comfort and conversation. Max is trying to squeeze (literally) every dime possible out of its space, and in the process squeezing out two people who were prepared to drop $100 on food and wine out of a half empty dining room. Molto Stupido. Remember the meat ragu being tasty though...