Many locals in Santa Barbara recognize the green awnings of
Max's as the unrelenting sign of an awesome breakfast. However, the best kept secret in Santa Barbara is the amazing dinner service they have Tue-Sat 5-9pm.
Keeping true to Northern Italian styles they are not only authentic, but they are just plain awesome. I don't know how many times we said phenomenal tonight! We went through the entire service practically licking our plates. It was only after devouring each lovely morsel that we realized we should have photographed each lovingly plated dish to make all of you jealous. Max's is truly a treasure in Santa Barbara and we should fight for our right to have this awesome food all the time!
The tableclothed dinner service will probably not be what you're used to if you've never been there for supper, but the degree of deliciousness necessitates tablecloths in order to catch all the drool you'll be producing. The food is absolutely phenomenal. We started with the fried calamari, which was perfectly cooked with a light breading and a bowl of marinara. The calamari was the perfect balance between tender and chewy with a very delicate, yummy batter. For the main course, we ordered two dishes off the daily specials: a shrimp linguine with a garlic-white wine sauce and a sea bass dish covered with mushrooms and capers. The pasta dish was phenomenal. The shrimp themselves were well seasoned, but the pasta itself stole the show. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the flavor could have stood alone without the any sauce, although the sauce was phenomenal. The sea bass was simply one of the best dishes we've ever had in California. The fish was cooked perfectly, and I mean perfectly. It absolutely melted in you mouth. The mushroom, garlic, and caper topping on the sea bass only enhanced the fish's natural flavors. Simply amazing. For dessert, we sampled the creme brûlée. Again, perfect. You could easily taste the fresh vanilla bean used in the dish, and the caramelized top crunched beautifully. The cappuccinos were great, and even the bottle of wine, a nice sangiovese, complimented the meal in an almost musical harmony.
Overall, this was the best Italian food we've ever had in California, and one of the best meals overall. Unfortunately, not many people know about Max's dinner service. The waitstaff was very pleasant and attentive, and they had an impressive knowledge of the menu, which is a significant indicator of the quality of service to expect. This place is a foodie's delight, but unfortunately too few people know about it. Come one, come all, and come hungry. This place will amaze.
Happy Eating Love Brent and Dre
