I walked down Grant Street as the fallen leaves crunched beneath my black patent leather boots and the temperature hit something that resembled fall, and in that moment I felt ready.
Ready for what you ask? To consume something warm and comforting.
Hear me out. I drink iced coffee until it drops below 60 degrees and I can’t even think about eating soup until it’s sweater weather. My East Coast past has seen many autumns and I’m finally getting used to Denver’s seasons…if you can call them that.
So as I approached Max’s Wine Dive on Sherman Street just after the sun had set and it was a cool 59 degrees, I was ready to sample the restaurant’s new fall offerings that feature hearty dishes to pair with the finally falling temperatures.
Described as shareable “elevated comfort food with a twist,” here are 11 things you can find on the fall menu at Max’s Wine Dive as served at a media tasting on Nov. 10.
Barolo Fashioned, $14
Rye, Barolo Chinato, honey, orange bitters
Nothing warms you from the inside out quite like a dark rye whiskey, and this one goes down smooth with the help of the honey syrup.
Belly Bites, $13
House-roasted pork belly bites finished with a rum demi-glaze, served with apple-bacon jam
Perfect for sharing, these tiny nuggets of heaven took top prize at the most recent Bacon and Beer festival in Denver. In one bite you get flavors of the succulent pork paired with the tart of the apple jam for an instant fall party in your mouth — minus the raking of leaves.
Pulled Pork Stuffed Piquillo Peppers $11
Pulled pork and cotija-stuffed, topped with chipotle aioli and cilantro chimichurri
I also try to avoid peppers because I am terrible with spicy things (I know, you’re thinking ‘Who IS this girl?’), but this appetizer is wonderfully balanced in a slightly sweet pepper paired with juicy, seasoned pulled pork. Not to mention the presentation is totally Instagram worthy.
Brie en Croute, $12
Creamy brie wrapped in a buttery puff pastry filled with caramelized apples, cranberries and walnuts
Ah, the Brie en Croute. We shall meet again in my dreams. As a cheese lover, this is the appetizer I was looking forward to the most. The flaky exterior opens up to gooey cheese but in a way that is still easy to cut into smaller pieces for sharing. The cranberries and apples add tartness and color to the sweet dish that could even work as a dessert.
“The Royal” Lobster Pot Pie, $32
Savory lobster bisque and mixed vegetables in a puff pastry topped with chicken-fried lobster tail
Luckily I brought my token pescatarian friend along for the tasting in case there was a shellfish emergency and luckily, there sure was. I handed the deconstructed pot pie over and she gladly accepted. She said the lobster was buttery and the best part of the dish was that the puff pastry soaked up the bisque at the bottom making for delightful, savory bites.
Southern-Fried Pork Chop, $22
Served with mashed potatoes and bacon broccoli
This Tender belly pork chop is thick. The southern fry gives it crunch and season while the thickness of the chop helps it retain its juiciness. The mashed potatoes are full of flavor and creamy with tiny hints of their potato consistency left behind throughout.
Fried Lobster Risotto, $14
House-made lobster risotto lightly fried, topped with fresh lobster, served with chive aioli
I’m from New England and I don’t eat seafood. There, I’m outed. I feel so much better now. I try to live on the edge though (my nickname is YOLO after all), so I tried some of the fried lobster risotto. The crunchy outside opened up to a light risotto that wasn’t too fishy. If you skip the fresh lobster on the top it’s tolerable for ever the biggest anti-seafood diner.
Perfect Pot Roast, $20
Slow-braised short rib, served on a bed of white cheddar scallop potatoes
When the heaping roast arrives, don’t be intimidated. You can get through it with a little help from your friends. Cooked tender, the scene-stealer of the dish are the starchy, cheesy potatoes hiding beneath the meat waiting for you to discover them.
Cracklin’ Chicken, $18
Served with wild mushroom risotto and chicken demi-glaze
You had, and will always have me, at mushroom risotto. The juices from the cooked chicken are reduced to make the demi-glaze to make this chicken-marinated chicken extra juicy.
Cranberry White Chocolate Bread Pudding, $9
And alas, just as I thought I couldn’t eat anymore came a dish so beautiful it nearly brought a tear to my eye. Now I am a sweet tooth 100 percent and usually go for desserts of the chocolate variety. This bread pudding was the best of both worlds. Sweet and slightly tangy from the cranberries, each bite seemed to melt in my mouth, the warm bread pudding paired with cold vanilla ice cream. I would have to say the dessert was the winner of the evening.
And finally, just a whole lot of wine.
