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I'll start with the food which is that our starters came out fast very fast. The Suzuki tartare was fresh, and the tortellini dumplings were pretty good and an interesting concept. Both dishes were too salty though. The Japanese sweet potato was my favorite starter and the combination of the potato with the sauce was pretty creative. Since the starters came out so fast, we waited a long time for our main. The pork belly and prawn dish was disappointing. The pork belly had a very crusty exterior and the inside was kind of dry and overcooked. Normally pork belly is a very juicy and tender cut of meat when done properly but this tasted very far from what I was expecting. The prawns on top were bland and needed a lot of the lentil sauce to have enough flavor. The drinks were fine. The milk punch was good and the NA fruit drink was pretty sour. What really brought it down to a three star is when I asked a server where the bathroom was, she gave me a very curt reply that is down the hall and then proceeded to make a joke to her table that "it must have been an emergency." For an establishment at this price point, I found that pretty disappointing. I do want to shoutout that our server for the table was very nice and provided a good service.
My husband and I came for dinner on Saturday evening with a 7:15 reservation. Upon arrival, we were seated along the booth across from the bar and service was attentive throughout the evening. For dinner we ordered the Tomato & Peach Salad, Soup Dumpling Tortellini, Japanese Sweet Potato and Half Chicken. Our favorite dishes were the salad and the tortellini which were both very good. The restaurant itself was pretty loud. We were able to hear each other but with a larger group I imagine it may be more of a challenge, but still a nice spot for a date night.
Had a great dinner here last week after having it recommended by multiple co workers. I absolutely loved the fresh sweet corn pasta, it was my favorite dish of the night. My husband had the sweet potato in curry which was an interesting twist on a standard side dish. The chicken was so garlicky that it upset my stomach which is a me problem and not a them problem. I just didn't realize it would be so strong. Didn't really eat much of it for this reason, but took it home for later. Husband had the pork belly and lentils which he thought was ok but not amazing. Ended the meal with the butter cake that had apples and caramel on top. It was moist and delicious but tasted slightly like lemon to me, not in a bad way, I just couldn't place the taste exactly. All and all, a solid meal and we would certainly come back to try more.
Very creative menu and interesting choices Vegan options Excellent - knowledgeable, prompt service The homemade bread for the dip was really something special. I really love the fish that was served with a very light sauce the vegetarian meat and broccoli, tofu Dish appetizer. The small plate idea is really good And let you select many options and shared along the table The only thing that wasn't wild about was the short ribs because I found them to be fatty. Overall very happy with this meal and would definitely come. We sat outside and we're not bothered because there was no street traffic. It was also much quieter than Inside
I am still thinking about this dinner! My husband and I visited Maxwells Trading to celebrate his birthday. I loved that it was in an area with free street parking. The inside was much bigger than I expected with a large bar, open dining area, private dining space, and open kitchen. The aesthetic was rustic yet modern and bright. The menu is divided into categories and it is recommended to dine as shared plates. Our server Bri suggested, for a party of two, to order four dishes; one from each category. We ordered all at once and Bri timed our night perfectly for us. They started us off with complimentary bubbles to set the celebratory mood which was so kind. We later also ordered the Milk Punch and Sake Martini to enjoy. The Milk Punch tasted tart and fruity with a smoke finish. My Sake Martini was bright, refreshing, and easy to drink. For bites, we started with the Softshell Crab and French Onion Dip. The crab was easy to separate, the meat was flavorful and I loved the black pepper sauce paired with it. The French Onion Dip had a good portion of sauce to bread. The onion flavor was more subtle but everything tasted fresh. For mains, we shared the Japanese Sweet Potato and Soup Dumpling Tortellini. These were displayed as two of the chef's favorite dishes on socials. The Japanese Sweet Potato had a green curry sauce which had subtle heat as well as a brûlée top to add a sweet note. The Soup Dumpling Tortellini may have been my favorite dish. The pasta was fresh, filling was packed with flavor, and the broth was amazing. Highly recommend! Before dessert, we were given a liquor palette cleanser which had a black licorice taste. It was surprisingly good! We finished our night with the Basque Butter Cake. The cake paired with a corn sauce and blueberry compote. This seemed to be a popular dessert and it did not disappoint! Overall, we had the best night celebrating at Maxwells Trading. Bri did amazing with service, timing, and making recommendations. We left feeling full and celebrated which is all you can ask for!
4.5 Sometimes a place gets a lot of hype and you leave disappointed...this is not one of those times. Everything we had was good and I will be thinking about half of them until I can come back. Our favorites were the gnocco fritto, the eggplant, and the sweet potato. People forget how good vegetables are when they are treated with some love. The staff was friendly & attentive. The space was open & modern. Already planning return visit
Service was spectacular (until the end, when they were clearly DONE). We had a bit of a wait to be seated after our reservation time, but the hostess offered us a drink menu and suggested we get a drink from the bar, which made us not care so much about the fact that we weren't seated yet. Cocktails were creative & delicious. The food was very good. The French onion dip was amazing (if you like truffle oil, which I do!). The chicory caesar salad was good, nothing to rave about and a little over-dressed, but good. The sweet potato curry dish was super interesting (and tasty). The turbot was okay, but definitely could've used some salt. Another Yelper mentioned tiny portion sizes & leaving hungry, but that was not our experience at all. As recommended by the server, we shared one dish from each of the 4 menu courses. We couldn't finish everything and left quite full. This would've been 5 stars if not for the very end of the meal. I had just gotten my dessert cocktail (a toasted sesame espresso martini) when the restaurant went from dimly lit to full-on GTFO brightness. Chairs were being put up on tables, and it was very clear that they wanted us OUT. I work in a wine bar. I get it. At closing time, you're ready to go. But don't let people order more drinks if you're going to kick them out 10 minutes later. I feel like last call and get out of here time are way to close together here. I would not have ordered (and abandoned most of) that last drink if I had known they'd be kicking us out so soon.
I had a really nice dinner here. The vibe and service was totally great!! The food was really good, my only complaint was that the cheese dish came with a bowl of whipped cheese and honey and only two griddle cakes, and then they charge you for any additional bread. Kind of feels like they should give you enough bread to enjoy the full dish- especially at the price. Other than that everything was great.
Finally made it to Maxwells Trading and overall had an enjoyable meal. The menu has a lot of Asian-inspired influences, and while some dishes felt more successful than others, the kitchen clearly has a strong sense of balance, texture, and flavor composition. We started with the Prosciutto & Gnocco Fritto. The combination of the cheese and black currant-pepper jam worked beautifully together, and the fried dough was a pleasant surprise -- light, airy, and almost donut-like with a hint of sweetness. The French Onion Dip had great flavor, although the texture leaned a bit too mayo-like for my taste. That said, the grilled dipping bread was delicious and reminded me of Taiwanese scallion pancake in a good way. The Short Rib was good, though not necessarily the most memorable dish of the night. The kalbi-style flavor profile felt somewhat familiar (almost like an elevated Trader Joe's frozen kalbi), but the accompanying kohlrabi and Korean melon were unexpectedly refreshing and ended up being one of my favorite components on the plate. The standout for us was actually the Half Chicken a la Brasa. Crispy skin, juicy meat, and somehow all the different flavor influences -- ginger scallion, aji verde, yuca -- came together very well. The yuca itself was excellent. We happened to see the chef and had the privilege of chatting with him for a few minutes. He was incredibly warm and down to earth. When we mentioned how interesting the chicken dish was, he laughed and said it was basically "everything in the fridge," which somehow made us appreciate the dish even more. For dessert, we ordered the Satsuma Verrine and loved it. The meringue on top was the sweetest component, while the whipped cream stayed light and fresh. The bottom layers combined citrus jelly and maybe curd where you could actually taste the fruit itself. A very elegant and balanced ending to the meal. Debating between 4 and 5 stars. If 4.5 were an option that's what I would pick lol
Still an exceptional meal start to finish. The tables seem a bit closer and the two top round ones at the front don't have much room for plates, but we continue to love the food and sincere hospitality and service. Easy free street parking for now.
Came to this place without any expectations, and was blown away. Probably one of the best meals I've had in the city, everything was amazing. The ambiance is beautiful, and the service is top tier. Will definitely be back!
Honest-clean-tremendous. Super exciting menu.. my sister n i genuinely struggled w not ordering everything. We landed on the prosciutto & gnocco fritto, the Japanese eggplant, the soup dumpling tortellini, & the pork chop au poivre. Kinda hard to fuck up prosciutto w fried bread.. so good. Peppery fruity jam n funky cheese w it too. I would eat it as a snack daily if i could.. Japanese eggplant is a cold dish w again lots fresh & funky flavors. Nice portion & light contrasting textures. Soup dumpling tortellini another temperature shift.. really cozy brothy rich n porky bites. Another dish i would eat daily if possible.. Great service w sparkling wine really kept the night humming along. The pork chop au poivre was delightfully huge.. i loved how it was served & the pork was tender & fatty & juicy. Crazy. I'd have liked the au poivre to be a bit more peppery like I'm used to.. but it was still a very delicious sauce. Red bean brownie sundae was also really fun to eat. They brought out a candle for my sisters bday which was also very sweet. Such a special restaurant & perfect for celebrating!
Chicago restaurants really keep impressing me and this one is incredible. Opened by James Beard finalists Erling Wu-Bower and Chris Jung, the menu blends Asian influence with American flavors and you can taste that creativity in the dishes. The prosciutto & gnocco frito was so good!! Everything worked together so well, it felt like elevated charcuterie 9.5/10. The griddle bread with French onion dip was even better!! That truffle flavor in the dip was insane and the bread had the perfect texture 9.7/10. The tortellini soup dumplings were a little overhyped for me, 7/10. We got the bone-in strip medium and the texture was perfect. Loved the potato pavé that came with it, 7.5/10. The Basque butter cake was overhyped in my opinion and just tasted like a standard butter cake, and I'm not the biggest butter cake fan, 6/10. Cocktails were AMAZING. Sweet, strong, elevated, and reasonably priced 9.5/10. Service was perfect. Friendly but not overbearing. The vibe is dim and intimate, and even though the place filled up fast, it didn't feel too loud since the space is huge. We had window seats and it felt like the perfect date night or celebration spot.
Even before Chicago Magazine rated Maxwells the #1 new restaurant in Chicago (April, 2025), getting a reservation here was a challenge. I won't bore you with my travails, but the Missus and I celebrated our Anniversary here, and yes, this innovative restaurant deserves all the accolades it receives. The weird location does offer the advantage of plentiful free street parking. The décor is not extravagant; apart from the soft lighting, the dining room looks like a factory lunchroom. But the open kitchen and a high staff-to-customer ratio suggest that you're in for an extraordinary experience. Our well-paced meal began with complimentary sips of bubbly. Our astute server noted my Missus' aversion to cheese and we shared a chicory Caesar salad with the Parmesan served on the side. A half-size portion of this huge salad was more than ample for two. Next, we shared French onion dip with griddle bread (knowing there would be more dip than bread, we requested 3 pieces and were not charged for the extra piece). The bread was scrumptious but I'm less enthusiastic about the dip, not a far cry from the ubiquitous Dean's. Our entrées were stellar. A generous portion of black sea bass garnished with watercress was swimming in a flavorful Asian soy-based broth that did not overwhelm the delicate taste or texture of the fish. The "Heritage Pork Katsu" is a sort of German-Japanese fusion; a breaded pork cutlet plated with a dot of wasabi and an interesting salad of julienned apple and celery root in a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Our server made a point of saying that the pork would be cooked medium-to-well, but the dish arrived all but squealing "Oink!" and had to be sent back to the kitchen. This was the only gaffe we encountered and ultimately that dish came back fork-tender superb. Finally, we shared a piece of Basque butter cake, a rich and indulgent take on pineapple upside-down cake. French press coffee was served, but the only sweetener they offer is "raw sugar" (gotta bring your own stevia). Watching unsuspecting diners enter the all-gender restroom was a hoot! read more
1 year ago
Maxwells Trading has been on the top of my list of restaurants to try in Chicago and it did not disappoint. Although quite loud, the industrial space is open and very aesthetically pleasing. Also, they have amazing service; we were given complimentary glasses of rosé for a special occasion we were celebrating. We made this reservation about a month in advance for a Friday night, and we were excited to try the french onion dip which we heard raving reviews about. There were a great selection of drinks and food to pick from as they rotate through their menu seasonally. French Onion Dip (5/5) - Phenomenal! The scallion pancakes were the perfect pairing with the dip and we could not get enough. If you had to only get one thing on the menu, I would suggest this. Mushroom Clay Pot Rice (3.5/5) - Being Cantonese, I'm very picky about clay pot rice dishes and this one was good but not enough flavors. I do wish they had their pork clay rice available but nonetheless, the rice paired well with the steak we got and was crispy on the bottom! Bone-in 18oz Steak (4.5/5) - One of the best wood-grilled steaks I've ever had. Very lightly seasoned and tasted so fresh. Incredibly high-quality meat and melts in your mouth. Overall, an amazing experience and I can't wait to go again! read more
Coming from California, I had assumed I was quite familiar with the "farm to table" concept. I quickly learned there is room for improvement on the theme, as Maxwells Trading took it to the next level. Everything on the menu looked intriguing - we were indecisive, so our server helped us select a few starters and large plates to share. I ordered an NA Paloma to drink, which was crisp and refreshing, and the salted rim was a nice touch that balanced the sweetness of the fruit. I don't recall the names of all the dishes we ordered, but everything was unique and perfectly executed. Highlights from our meal include the tangy and herby Japanese eggplant (my favorite), clay pot mushroom rice (and the sauces + salt it's served with on the side), and the fresh griddle bread (like a fluffy scallion pancake) to soak up all the dips and sauces. Everything was presented beautifully and prepared with fresh ingredients. Additionally, each dish was creatively influenced with global flavors. For example, the Japanese flambeéd sweet potato was served with a red Thai curry sauce, and the rice with mushrooms was perfectly crisped in a Japanese clay pot. For dessert, we ordered the Basque butter cake - which is exactly as rich and decadent as it sounds. The restaurant was sleek yet homey - the lights were dim, and the restaurant was completely full and buzzing at 7 PM. While we were here for a business meal, I could also picture myself here with friends and family. While I'm sure the menu evolves with the seasons' bounty of fresh produce, I'd love to come back and try more of Maxwells Trading's dishes. read more
Every dish is unique, small plates, easy to share. Restaurant has great energy and ambiance is great. I love that the menu doesn't change to keep it consistent but couple of the dishes change based on the season and keep it exciting. The Japanese sweet potato is my favorite and I love that the Thai curry sauce change (green or red) based on the season. The Griddle Bread/Dunks selections are always fun. The bread that comes with it is so delicious (it's really the star). You really can order the whole menu start to finish won't get tired of it. read more
2 years ago
This place is so cool. Spacious, dim lighting, medium noise level, cool decor w/ an industrial feel. A lot of windows and seating. In the back there is an entry to a smaller room with bookshelves on the wall with cute decor. The open kitchen is really cool and you see what is going on behind the scenes. The bar is long and spacious. The non-gender restrooms are in the back around the corner and it takes you through a maze-like corridor with textured walls. The decor of the restroom is really nice and modern. Our waitress was really nice and gave excellent service. My friend and I came for CRW and it's the first time Maxwells Trading is participating. Parking is mostly free around the area since the location is more like Far West Loop. Below is what we ordered: Griddle bread and whipped ricotta - the ricotta with hot honey was SO GOOD and the griddle bread had the soft and chewy texture and has the right amount of oil that melts in your mouth Suzuki Tartare - very flavorful and had a slight kick to it, each little bite is packed with flavor Japanese sweet potato - wow, so good, it looks like meat on a plate but it's not, the top of the potato is caramelized and it gives a crunchy texture with more sweetness, the pairing with the Thai green curry was surprisingly good, the sweet potato reminds of the same taste as a Korean sweet potato Heritage pork katsu - the crispiness of the pork chop was fried to perfection, it was extra crunchy, the pork was not too dry, it is slightly salty but it pairs perfectly with the vinaigrette celery root and apple to balance out the saltiness, it also gave more flavor to the pork, I also dipped the pork in the green curry from the Japanese Sweet Potato dish which was not too bad Basque Butter Cake - this is a heavy dessert and very dense in taste, it's like taking bites of salted butter, but the texture is perfect kind of like a pound cake, the pineapple cut through the heaviness of the buttery taste Royal Milk Tea Tiramisu - the praline chocolate on the top adds the texture of crunchiness for the dessert, the taste of the tea is slightly strong and fragrant, this relieved my taste buds after eating the dense butter cake read more
Maxwells Trading has great, dimly lit ambiance perfect for a date night, celebration, or get-together. I believe the menu changes, but I like how the menu is separated into different sections (beginnings, griddle bread & dunks, starch, grilled substance). Service is attentive and friendly. The pacing of the courses felt right and they frequently changed out plates and cutlery. For appetizers, we ordered the griddle bread with the whipped ricotta and the suzuki tartare. The griddle bread is a MUST: it is pillowy, almost like an English muffin, with the aroma of scallions. The whipped ricotta + seasoned honey made for a delightful pairing. You can always ask for more griddle bread. The suzuki tartare was light, tangy, and spicy, which added a nice contrast to the whipped ricotta. The appetizers wowed me more than the mains. The Japanese sweet potato had nice flavor from the green curry underneath, but I found the potato itself lackluster. The chicken was way too salty, and some parts were dry. read more
2 years ago
I did art of shot event near by and did a walk in with my partner. We got seated at bar - the place was very packed and nicely laid out. Our bartended was quick and suggested nice drinks - both of drinks were fantastic. For two of us, we ordered Brussels sprouts and egg plant as shareable apps. For entree, we got clay pot mushroom fried rice which was fantastic. For closing, we got the basque cake and it was not too overly sweet which I really enjoyed it. Overall it was amazing experience and I am glad to come across this one. read more
I have mixed feelings on this one - food 4.5/5 service 1/5 :( I'll start with the food - got a half portion of the caesar, whipped ricotta, sweet potato, pear tortellini, and royal milk tiramisu. The bread that came with the ricotta was so delicious, but I agree with the other reviews, giving only 2 pieces is a little stingy. We ordered extra to finish the rest of the ricotta. The sweet potato was caramelized so well and the curry sauce was flavorful. Would pass on the tortellini next time though, nothing super special about it. The milk tea tiramisu was phenomenal though, with hazelnuts and a strong tea flavor. The service was absolutely horrible. I think it was just our particular waiter. She was rude and cut us off while we were speaking (more than once), only stopped by to take our order and collect payment, and was also yelling across the restaurant at another staff member. As we were wrapping up eating, she came over and said "So, what's going on here?" as we had some leftover food on the plates that we were intending to take home. Such a strange way to ask/transition to the dessert/check part of the meal. Gratuity is included regardless of your party's size, so maybe there's less motivation to provide decent service. Anyway, I would be willing to come again for the food and give the staff/service a second chance. read more
Wow, what a gem of a place. They were closed for a private event but had the safe and a small bakery pop up open. The staff was so nice and kind. And the cafe menu had plenty of options for everyone. I would love to come back when their greenhouse and inside seating area is open! read more
Ambiance is cute but very loud. I couldn't hear the waiter or my friends at normal speaking levels. The bus boys were very attentive. Overall the food was good but small portions and pricey for what it is. You only get two griddle breads per dip, after that it's $2.50 each. The griddle breads were nice and hot, we ended up ordering two more since there's more dip than bread. The tartare was interesting and the chicory Caesar salad was good. I agree with other reviews that their apps are better than the mains. The Black Sea bass was salty and uninteresting. You can get the whole fish at any Chinese seafood restaurant prepared the same way (with more flavor). 3 apps, 1/2 salad portion, 1 main and 2 drinks was $215 for two girls. They automatically add 20% gratuity. We indicated there was a bday being celebrated and nothing was done for that either. Perhaps I'd return for some apps and drinks but nothing really crave worthy here. read more
1 month ago
We ordered the suzuki tartare, French onion dip (comes with 2 griddle bread), clay pot mushroom rice, and the turbot. I personally really enjoyed the suzuki tartare and the French onion dip. The tartare is quite small in portion (we finished it in 2 spoons lol), but the taste is flavorful and you can taste the lemongrass & chili in it. The bread and French onion dip was surprisingly so good, it was my favorite out of all the plates we ordered. The turbot was okay, but not my personal favorite. The clay pot mushroom rice was a bit salty for my liking and I felt like the saltiness overpowered the flavor of the dish. Overall, it was a nice restaurant and I had a great time! read more
2 years ago
I've been wanting to try maxwells trading for a while and got luckily and snagged a same-week reservation for restaurant week ($60 dinner)! The menu was a bit different than what we had saw online, but not a big deal. We got the Suzuki tartare and whipped ricotta for our apps. The apps were probably my favorite course of the meal. I thought the tartare was tasty and the griddle bread and whipped ricotta paired well together! I do wish they gave a bit more bread since we had a lot of leftover ricotta after that we just ended up having to eat on its own. For the main course, we got the heritage pork Katsu and Japanese sweet potato. The Japanese sweet potato seems to be super popular. The curry had a good flavor and wasn't really spicy (so good if you have a low spice tolerance) but it's just a sweet potato with bruleed sugar on top. I think it's an interesting combo and was tasty, but I don't feel like it's really worth the price since there's not really anything else in the curry besides some shallots. The Katsu was decent but not that tender and could be a more flavorful. The edge of the Katsu was also seemed undercooked (see pic - left piece). Katsu can definitely have a more pale pink tinge to it even if it's fully cooked but the rest of the Katsu was a completely different color and part of it looked pretty raw. It was just a small chunk so not a huge deal and I just cut it off and didn't eat it. For dessert we had the basque butter cake and royal milk tea tiramisu. I liked the basque butter cake more - it kind of reminded me of a Taiwanese pineapple cake. The basil on top also helped cut some of the sweetness. I wasn't really full before this course, but the cake was pretty filling! The royal milk tea tiramisu was also tasty, but I think I still enjoy the punchier coffee flavor in a regular tiramisu more. In terms of value, depending on what you order, you could be saving a few bucks but you could also just be pretty much paying the regular menu price. I would probably look and compare the prices a bit more before ordering next time for restaurant week to see if it's worth it. I think we basically hit around $60 for one set of dishes at $68 for the other one so we ended up saving $8 compared to the regular menu as a whole. There's street parking outside and the interior of the restaurant is pretty spacious and has a good ambience! I think maxwells trading has a lot of creative dishes, and I'd want to come back to try more outside of the restaurant week menu. I thought the cooking and food quality overall were good besides the slightly undercooked pork. read more
1 year ago
from the moment you walk into Maxwell's, whether it's a Wednesday or Saturday night, you're greeted with every seat filled in the restaurant and likely a line out the door of people patiently hoping to get a seat-- and that's for a good reason! everything we ordered was delivered with care and absolutely delicious. Alisha was our server for the evening and was so kind, attentive, and an overall great time- loved her! read more
Oh man, I'd have to say this is probably one of my top 5 favorite meals of all time. Everything from the appetizers, to breads, entrees, and desserts were all phenomenal. Special shout out was the bread which was a cross between a naan and scallion pancake. And you can't go without the dips. My group ended up ordering all of them. Portion sizes were overall on the smaller side, but still plentiful to share amongst a big group. Our server was super knowledgeable with explaining the menu and also helped us properly order. Will 100% be back the next time we're in the Chicago. read more
I'm obsessed with this place! The vibes are great, the space is open. Very cool vibes. I wish I got our waitresses name, she was fabulous. To start I had a dirty martini, this was good, the olives in it were great. We had a group of 4 so we split a bunch. Some of my favorites were the ricotta and the Suzuki tartar for apps. The ricotta came with griddle bread and this was amazing. For mains the pork katsu and the chicken was incredible. Both were cooked to perfection, so much flavor and so moist. This was some of the best chicken I have had. To end the night we got the butter cake and the tiramisu. I didn't expect to like the butter cake, but it was amazing. A crispy outside with a warm inside. I can't wait to come back, I'm obsessed! read more
2 years ago
Such a fabulous meal. I have been twice now and both times have been spectacular. The food is 100% the star of the show and I haven't had a bad dish yet. My favorites are the Japanese sweet potato (a must get!), brussels fett'unta, stuffed pappardelle, and sea bass. The menu does change periodically, but again, every dish I have tried has knocked it out of the park! Service was great - quick, attentive, and friendly. If you can get a reservation, I highly recommend! read more
While the eastern portion of the Fulton Market has been fully overrun by Google, yuppies, and outposts of popular New York establishments like Boqueria, the western stretch has maintained a pleasant industrial feeling that reminds me of Detroit's Eastern Market, accentuated by long avenues and limited street lighting. Maxwells Trading, thus far our best dining experience in Chicago, appears a bit like a beacon on this somber stretch. The Japanese eggplant is phenomenal. We were honestly taken by surprise upon the first bite of the succulently prepared vegetable with notes of sesame and Balsamic. It's served with a so-called "scallion griddle bread," which reminds me of some of the thicker breads common to both Xi'an and the Harbin region. The Caesar salad was also very good with a tangy and unique dressing, although the textures could perhaps have used a bit more contrast. While we were only here for drinks and select appetizers, we certainly hope to return to this inviting relative newcomer on the west side. read more
1 year ago
We were lucky enough to score a last minute reservation at Maxwells Trading - and I'm so glad we did. What an experience. We arrived a few minutes early so grabbed a drink at the bar. I had a mocktail since currently am unable to drink alcohol and it was really nice. They were able to transfer our tab to the table which is convenient. (Don't forget to tip your bartender!) The restaurant is in a more industrial area (pardon as I'm not from Chicago) that seems up and coming. It was a bit tucked away but the inside was really lovely. To the food. Goodness. First off, our server was absolutely delightful, as were every single staff member we interacted with. Our server highly recommended the Suzuki tartare and wow - what a start! We are so glad it was recommended. I want to say when I looked at the menu, nothing jumped out at me but everything we had was spectacular. It was all cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and presented lovely. We ordered an assortment of dishes to share among our party of 5 and the pacing was great. The scallion bread reminded us of a Korean hotteok and we loved it so much we ordered another helping. Pork katsu is usually a dish that is meh for me but this one was juicy and cooked so nicely, it really was delicious. We ordered a dessert and our server surprised us and brought out two additional for us to enjoy. This experience was an absolute 10/10 and the best way for us to round out our eating weekend in Chicago. Highly recommended! read more
Layout: it's trendy and cool! However, if you go in the evening, they have mood lighting so you may need to use your phone's flashlight to look at the menu. Came in on a busy Friday evening. We ordered two appetizers and three entree's. We didn't realize the orders were to share so they brought plates out one by one- we intended to have our own like "order" but not a problem. There was a slight miscommunication- we indicated that three of the party members wanted to each order the katsu, but one order came out. The staff member apologized and we ended up ordering one more instead of two more since we didn't want to wait any longer. I did share the stuffed papparadelle (pictured). It tasted like a shrimp and pork dumpling, looked like an elongated dumping - sure enough on the receipt, it was listed as "shomai" (dumpling). The three party members liked the pork katsu, two out of three liked the accompanying cantaloupe. I thought the flavor was good, though I found it almost crossing my personal threshold of saltiness. This is one of those kind of places where if you're looking for a meal or to be satiated, you will have to order considerably depending on your level of hunger and capacity to eat. We stopped by a taco place on the way home. read more
8 months ago
Unexpectedly became one of my favorite meals I've had in Chicago! Everything we tried was delicious and was the perfect balance of fusion flavors. read more
4 months ago
4 months ago
Amazing restaurant! I ate there yesterday with my teammates and enjoyed the experience. I especially liked the Japanese Sweet Potato with green curry sauce ! The clay pot rice and walleye are great as well. I'm definitely looking forward to visiting again! read more
Returned for a collaboration between Maxwell's & Sean Brock of chefs table fame. While my experience was better than my previous I'm still not sold. Beef was way too rare & only a quarter of it has my preference for seasoning. Basque cake was comical. The sauce atop the soft shell crab was the highlight, really incredible. Hush puppies were good as were the accompanying sauces. Awkwardl situation were a special dish was served to Amex customers & I literally paid with my Amex. Overpriced as well for a mere four courses was I was honestly beyond satisfied with the portions. read more
If you were to ask me what type of food this is, I would HAVE no idea what to say. Whatever it is, Maxwell Trading executes this fusion cuisine PERFECTLY. Nothing we got disappointed and it definitely made me interested to keep trying all the new dishes that are going to come out. The atmosphere of Maxwell Trading feels very welcoming. It's not too fancy and not too casual. The open atmosphere really does it give it a family style ambiance. Then the service to was impeccable! I would blink and my dishes would be cleared with my water refilled. See below for the food review! Prosciutto & Gnocco Fritto: I did not know you were supposed to eat these together.. but when I combined them I was hit for with a flavor explosion! The Gnocco Fritto is a perfect balance of crispy with a pillowy interior. The prosciutto was placed on top of these cheese that glued the Gnocco with the meat perfectly. Whipped Ricotta: some of the best whipped ricotta I've had. Nuff said French Onion Dip: this one took me by surprise! They have their own interesting take on it that makes the Super Bowl party favorite feel elegant. Would definitely get again Japanese Sweet Potato: the potato was brûléed which added a nice sweetness and crispy texture. The star was definitely the curry beneath. I dipped EVERYTHING in this stuff Pompano: the fish was well cooked. Nothing too crazy here, just very well executed. Katsu: The ratio between bread and meat was perfect. The seasoning was perfect. Most of all, the meat was so juicy!!! No dryness. Basque Butter Cake: unique, fruity, thick, moist. Checks all my boxes for a butter cake! Must get. ** side note ** the bread was INSANE. Needless to say, nothing missed. read more
Great food, lovely service and welcoming ambience. Cocktails were miss (pisco sour and old fashioned were very disappointing) but overall highly recommend for next date night or group dinner! We order the steak, Caesar salad, clay pot, turbot, Japanese eggplant and sweet potatoes. Everything was delicious and well prepared. The Japanese Sweet potato was our favorite!! read more
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Inventive dishes were exciting to try! I thought the food overall was solid quality. Nothing particularly stood out as super special and tasted exactly like you would imagine. Sweet potato - This was in red curry for the season and both elements were really tasty. Individually good and together, didn't clash. French onion dip - The bread was delicious and fresh. The dip was creamy and not as heavy as I thought it would be which was good. Prosciutto + frotto cheese + jam + fried gnocci - I don't love this cheese type so didn't love this dish. Almost like charcuterie in flavor combo. Wish the gnocci was more notable but it was just a platform for the mest etc which was okay. Really nice ambience and good vibe for a fun solid time but wouldn't go again just for food. read more
Maxwell Trading is a beautiful restaurant with modern simple Scandinavian decor. The whole dining experience is stellar with focus on Asian inspired variations of toasts, griddle cakes and clay pot rice. The Black Sea Bass and Bone in Strip were misses as the proteins were a bit tough and could be more fresh. I loved their Suzuki tartare though! Each bite was full of flavor and good texture. read more
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