Maximilien in the Market

The service was horrible which was not what I was expecting, especially since they had such good reviews. A friend and I had dinner reservations on their deck at 7:30 were seated promptly, ordered drinks, appetizers and entree shortly after. The soup arrived right away but the foie gras (which is just seared) took 40 minutes. Many tables arrived after we had sat down, even the ones who had arrived an HOUR later had their delivered...we NEVER got ours. We finally complained 90 minutes to which the manager offered to comp our tab and let us. Leave we did and went to Il Bistro where we had great service and food.

Pros: we didn't have to pay for the horrid service received

Cons: Service....I was there for 1 1/2hrs and did NOT have entree

Posted 05/30/09

Exquisite food, wonderful service, friendly atmosphere and beautiful views...it doesn't get much better! Come here for lunch with friends or business associates or a romantic evening with a loved one. NEVER disappoints. Still my favorite restaurant in Seattle! Bon Appetit!

Pros: Food, Wine, Bar, Service

Cons: None

Posted 12/04/08

I have eaten here a few times and enjoyed my dining experience each time. The food is wonderful, and the wait staff are attentive. Furthermore, the view is spectacular.

Pros: Food, service, ambiance

Cons: A bit pricey, but worth it

Posted 06/16/08

What an amazing place! I cannot believe it took us so long before dining at Maximilien!
Being French, I totally felt home in this unpretentious upscale atmosphere... The food was just to die for, our server Ali spoke French and gave us a royal treatment! Plus, French music was playing in the background all night! The only reason I knew I wasn't having diner in Paris, was the breath taking view of the Puget Sound! Maximilien became our favourite restaurant overnight!

Pros: Service, view, food & wine, atmosphere - Tres romantique!

Cons: none

Posted 05/23/08

Eating at Maximilien is a taste of Paris with the view of Seattle. I have eaten here a handful of times and have never left without wanting more. Beautiful view, food and great staff! It a must try for any breakfast lover.
Enjoy!

Posted 05/15/08

We were so excited to see there was still seating available two weeks before New Years Eve. They advertised Cabaret Music by Rouge, and did they ever deliver. The menu was set, allowing for a choice generally between two plates per course and the whole dinner ran about $79 without drinks. In looking around at other possibilities, this was quite average. They had two seatings; one at 6pm one at 9pm. When we arrived for our 9pm reservation the waiting area was crammed with people - come on, it's New Years Eve, you have to expect that. Some of the older patrons dressed as if they were in Paris in the 1930's with nice jewelery and throwback hair. Fine dress isn't required, but if you're dining out downtown you should make it seem somewhat special, don't you think? The service was fantastic - I knew our waiter was busy and with live music, I could see how he might be close to a breakdown, but he was very measured with the run-through on the menu as well with checking back with us. The owner was a little on edge (as anyone who's ever worked in the business will know, that comes standard with big events). We started with a selection of delicious fresh oysters, and I moved onto the lobster bisque, while my girlfriend chose the duck confit. Nice to have a bisque that you could actually taste the lobster. The entrees were beef wellington and she had leg of pheasant. Both cooked to perfection. The bread is delicious, but be warned, the food is rich and you'll need room. Dessert was a yule...chocolate log...I forget exactly, but we split one and took the other home. It was good dessert, not great. Everything was great otherwise, especially the music with a singer dancing safely-provocatively, stealing a kiss here or there from gentlemen in the crowd, or singing like a bird for a moment tableside. I recommend it to anyone, but make reservations - it's not all that big of a place.

Pros: romantic setting with attentive service

Cons: downtown parking

Posted 01/01/08

I made reservations here for a lunch after a graduation ceremony. We ended up being early and the greeter accommodated us by moving our reservation up even though we had a group of 7. He spoke french which was fun cause we had french speakers in the party (although our server was from Spain and didn't speak any french). We were seated downstairs and even though we weren't right on the window we had great views of the water. In addition, the food was outstanding. I sampled almost everyone in our party's meals and everything was fantastic! It was french food but using incredibly fresh pacific northwest ingredients. My husband had the coq au vin which was outstanding (and I've had it in France too!), my dad started with the assiette de saumon fume which I highly recommend, and I found, like other reviewers, the baguette with butter to start to be mouth watering! I wasn't super impressed with the clam chowder but in light of the perfection of everything else I feel guilty mentioning that. We had champagne to start and then a beautiful light white wine recommended by the waiter that perfected the meal. At the end, the waiter surprised the graduate by bringing out a delicious dessert (on the house) of profiteroles au chocolat with strawberries that was to die for in combination with our caffe lattes. Wow. Finish that off with a stroll around beautiful Pike's Place Market (needed after all those courses!) and you have a perfect afternoon! I anticipate this being a great place for a romantic evening as well and will be going back with just the hubby.

Pros: water views, fresh ingredients, terrific food, excellent service, warm atmosphere

Cons: small bathrooms

Posted 05/20/07

What fun! We ended up at Maximilien's on a friend's recommendation - given its location in the overly busy Pike Place Market, I had my doubts and thought it might be a tourist trap. The service was fabulous - polite Frenchmen! - as was the food. At the table, we had tasty cafe au lait, crepe with crabmeat, the pastry basket (yummy freshly-baked croissants!), and French toast. And yes, the views are spectacular too. What an unexpected treat!

Pros: Great food, views, atmosphere

Posted 08/19/06

Get there before the mussels go out of season. I've had all four versions of their luncheon moules. They're all outstanding, but if I had to choose the best of the best, it would be Les Moules Maximilien -- exactly the right proportions of wine, parsley, creme and pastis. I was forgetting how wonderful Maximilien had become, until recently. Good service, good food, good ambience. Good all round.

Pros: food, wine, service

Posted 06/22/06

Very disappointed in what was one of my preferred restaurants in the Market, a few in Seattle that serves mussels in many variations. Today, had to remind our waiter for salad after sipping a glass of wine for 40 minutes at an empty table. Greens arrived with overcooked mussels *then* bread and butter. Waiter did not bother to set out the bread plates, reason at once apparent as they were still dripping wet. Requested dry plates which never came. Overall: Bad food coupled with inferior service.

Posted 03/31/06

They close at NINE PM during the week. NOT ten. Make a note when trying to plan things like going away gatherings for friends.

Posted 03/23/06

My girlfriend and I went down on a weekend to grab a bite to eat before a play. The food was great and so was the service. Our friendly and knowledgable waiter made us feel very comfortable, not to mention the great view. Tip: Be sure to bring cash if you plan on using valet parking.

Pros: View, Valet, Quiet

Cons: Traffic

Posted 10/08/05

The first bite into a lovely baguette round smothered in butter surprised me. The high butterfat content of the butter was something that renders memories of lunches in the Swiss alps. Gorgeous, creamy, and so so French.

The summer menu is simple and straightforward. Go for the thing that grabs your eye, as long as it uses seasonal fresh ingredients (impossible to NOT in this season) and seafood. The old standbys also look superb.

Beautfiul rose wine, gorgeous sunset, excellent service, easy on the palate...

Pros: execution, view, service

Cons: little loud over 99

Posted 07/25/05

The view was breathtaking. The service was fine and the room, charming, but the food was absolutely not worth the price. Mussels were cold and the broth was flavorless. Salads were standard fare. Perhaps the worst French food that I've encountered.

Pros: The View, Good Service, Charming Room

Cons: The Food, The Food, The Food

Posted 07/10/05

I took my mom for brunch here on Mother's day. The food and the view were spectacular. My wild mushroom and crab omelet was superb. Max's is definatly worth the moola for a special night ( or morning ) out. Coffee was excellent as well.
Service was average, we had reservations and still had to wait 15mins for a table-but it was worth it.

Pros: Food, Ambience, View

Cons: Service average, Reception fairly rude

Posted 05/21/05

I visited this place on a trip to Seattle last week after reading about it in Zagat Seattle. I had the best French meal ever! And I travel a lot!
The food was nicely presented and very tasty. Service was outstanding and our waiter recommended a decently priced wine to match our dinner.
The view is also lovely with large windows on the Puget Sound. We watched the sunset and the ferries going back and forth, it was very romantic!
Ill be back!

Pros: View, Food, Service

Posted 05/19/05

The food was spectacular ... reminded me of a true Parisian bistro. The ambience is warm and cozy, and the views are splendid. The server was pleasant, helpful and engaging, however he seemed overwhelmed and got our order wrong. He also disappeared for long periods of time, but I think that was because the restaurant was inappropriately staffed for a Saturday afternoon. Other customers noted the same thing, and it seemed like a management problem. But everything else was worth it!

Pros: food, ambience, view

Cons: poorly staffed

Posted 04/22/05

What a perfect dining experience! The view and restaurant are beautiful, food was amazing and service was excellent-very friendly, genuine, and attentive. We will definitely return!!

Posted 02/18/05

Nice view of Elliot bay, attentive and knowledgeble waitstaff, decent wine selection, wonderful food.

The soups (French Onion or Chowder, though I like the Chowder) are excellent. The sandwiches are amazing (I love the Croque Madam--the eggs were perfect!), the salads are sublime and the deserts are decadent. The prices are amazingly reasonable for all that you get with this place!

It is in the market-- go all the way to the south end and you cannot miss the neon arrows pointing the way. The entrance is just behind the Pig.

This is a great place for sunday breakfast.

Pros: croque madam, wine list

Posted 09/14/04

Fabulous service, view, atmosphere. Most everything I have had here is fantastic. The filet mignon in the wine sauce is the best steak in the city. The duck and vension are great too! A bit on the spendy side, especially with wine, but all French restaurants are. Absolutely my favorite restaurant in Seattle!

Pros: service, atmosphere, valet parking

Posted 06/10/04

Like French without the snotty waiters? This is the place where I love to come for Sunday brunch and happy hour $2.50 bowls of steamed to order mussels. This is also the place where I bring out of town clients for a truly French and Seattle dining experience. Considering the price, the food is outstanding. The service is laid back, friendly and un-pretentious. Be sure to try the Escarot, French onion soup and the seafood chowder and enjoy the panoramic view of Elliott Bay from either floor, I personally like the upstairs or where ever Dan is serving, ask for him...you will have a enjoyable experience.

Pros: easy parking, supurb ambience, not, excellent value

Posted 04/02/03

This is a cozy little restaurant hidden in the Market but well worth finding. My lunch of mussels came fresh and steaming....and with a small loaf of crisp french bread to soak up the broth. Excellent. Everyone at table loved their meal. Management friendly, gracious; server expert. Great view of the water. Nice hidden, unspoiled gem.

Pros: seafood, views, service

Posted 03/20/03

My wife and I had dinner on Valentine s Day at Maximilian. We had a great time, the food was excellent and service decent considering they were packed. Best of all they had live classical guitar which made our night even more romantic. Perfect!
If youve never been there you must at least go to check out the view. Its amazing. My co-worker recommended this place and I am glad they did! Well be back before next Feb 14th!!!!

Pros: View, Romantic, Food, Service

Posted 02/18/03

This is the real deal and those who have had the pleasure of dining in France delight in the treasures offered on the menu. It is a tradition in my family to celebrate my birthday with a beaujolais laden lunch but this year, we splurged and had an unforgettable dinner for 10. Let the valet wisk away your car and step into the charming dinning room with one of the best views in the city. The wait staff is attentive and listen to the server as to what is the best. We recommend the duck, although a smallish portion it is cooked to perfection as are the scallops and cassoulet. The only dissapointment was no beaujolias as the previous Thursday drained the bank. Please go and treat yourself.

Pros: Authentic Bistro, Romantic and Cozy, A family favorite

Posted 11/25/02

This place is authentic with excellent food. each time we go we are amazed at the ambiance, the authenticity, and the extraordinary food. the coq au vin is possibly the best dish in seattle, if noot the world. this is a not miss. it's like dining in france, except the moules and the service are better! it also helps that the waiters are french and gorgeous...Happy Hour is actually kid friendly and a great deal.

Pros: very french, happy hour, superbe

Posted 11/20/02

I came to Maximilien because i wanted a great view. I got way more than that. We had a server with a very strange french accent, but was very courteous. The atmposphere was very romantic because of the small room and candle lit tables. I would never go here for "just a place to go" for dinner, only for the special occasions.

Posted 11/20/02

Very yummy, very rich. Still doesn't compare to Le Crocodile in Vancouver (wonderful service, fantastic melt in your mouth food)... but good. Downside (and probably a unique experience): we came here on a date and the french waiter (gorgeous) was a little too chatty and ended up sitting at our table with us talking and eventually used the phrase 'stupid americans' (not referring directly to us of course) which come on if you are going to insult at least come up with an original line.

Pros: Delicious, French, Food

Cons: Boring Atmosphere, Odd Waiter, Expensive of course

Posted 11/18/02

Although I've not yet made it to France, I'm convinced the dining experiences I've had at Maximilien are indicative of what I might expect once I do get there and have the chance to take in a French restaurant or two: exceptional service, romantic ambiance, and truly delicious food and wine! I've been dining at Maximilien for more than four years now, having enjoyed many dinners, business lunches and Sunday brunches. Im consistently impressed with the creative and delicious food menus, the high quality service and attention to detail by the wait staff and owners, the lovely selection of French wines, and the striking views of Puget Sound and the Olympics! I'm always assured a wonderful experience when I dine at Maximilien--thank you!

Pros: Exceptional service, Excellent food, Amazing views

Posted 09/26/02

Maximilien creates an incredible experience with wonderful service, great 'live' music, creative and delightful dishes, and an ambience of romance and memories.

I highly recommend Maximilien for special occassions with friends or loves. Thanks for such a great evening.

Pros: Great Service, Great Food

Posted 09/22/02

I'll make this simple and to the point. Meal was very good however the service was downright awful. It took over an hour to get seated even after arriving WITH a reservation. From there it took an additional 15-20 minutes for the waiter to arrive to offer drinks, etc. BUYER BEWARE!!

Posted 09/15/02

This is the best bistro in Seattle. Awesome view, good wine, friendly service, affordable prices. Not to mention the food is just right. I miss not being able to go on Mondays...

Pros: The view, The food, The view

Posted 08/07/02

Maximilien is the best restaurant I've ever been. Food is magnificent! Service is very professional! Ambience is romantic and prices are good too. Special events' menues are super (you can try there new recipes and vines from different french provinces.) I was there about 5 times and whatever I tried, all were just great!!!

Pros: exquisite food, new recipes, professional waiters

Posted 08/05/02

Attended three French region Dinner there (last one was Normandy!). Food was great every time affordable - and the view is one of the best in town I think. Perfect to bring out of town guest!

Posted 05/22/02