When you think of Maxwell’s at 1039 Washington St., your first thought is probably live music. It’s a known destination for up-and-coming bands as well as established bands, which in the past have included They Might Be Giants, The Replacements, Sonic Youth, and Nirvana.
Yet you might not know that Maxwell’s serves up hearty, home-cooked fare too.
The atmosphere
The front room, with dark wood and red brick walls, immediately feels comforting and inviting. Maxwell’s has resisted the trend to redecorate as a lounge, offering instead a view of historic Hoboken. With high ceilings, checkered tiles on the floor, and yellow ceiling lights, this bar looks much like it did in the 1970s. The large mahogany bar is back-lit with red chili pepper lights that add to the charm of the place.
Appetizers
In addition to the standard pub fare like chicken fingers, fried calamari, and nachos, Maxwell’s offers items not usually seen on most menus. We decided to try the artichoke hearts and potato pierogies.
The Polish-style pierogies are stuffed with fresh mashed potatoes, lightly sautéed, and smothered with grilled onions. This filling appetizer is sure to please potato lovers. The crispy dough accents the buttery mashed inside and is terrific with the side of sour cream.
The artichoke hearts are sautéed with a brown butter chardonnay sauce. They are lightly battered and have a rich flavor that is accented by fresh lemon and herbs. This appetizer is rich, so you’ll want to share it.
Other appetizers include: chili, onion soup, crab cakes, hummus, and thin crust pizza.
All appetizers are reasonably priced from $3.95 to $8.95.
Cheese
One of the specialty items is the fried brie appetizer, which is available several times a week. The large wedge of cheese is fried on the outside and served with slices of apples and sauce. The flavor of the sauce changes on the different days of the week.
We had ours with mango chutney, which was fantastic. The warm cheese spread easily on the fresh Italian bread. This rich creamy cheese is great with the tart apples and mango sauce. We were told by the staff that it is a favorite among guests.
The service is friendly and relaxed. At no point during the meal were we rushed. They will let you order courses at your own pace.
This is the perfect place to share good food and drinks without feeling like you should leave the table as soon as dessert is served. They gladly let you linger.
The entrees
For dinner we tried the vegetarian Shepherd’s pie and the chicken pot pie. The vegetarian Shepherd’s pie is a new item for winter. This delicious and filling dish had a sweet potato crust and was filled with lentils and wild mushrooms. This dish is like the standard version except it is meatless and good for you! The rich lentils and mushrooms almost make you think it might have meat in it. Then, onto the chicken pot pie!
This hearty pie was filled with tender breast meat chicken, vegetables, gravy, and mashed potatoes. Every bite was loaded with chicken, carrots and potatoes all buried under a crispy pastry crust. Delicious! There is also a petite pot pie for smaller appetites.
Other entrees include an 8 oz. char-grilled burger, quesadillas, baked macaroni and cheese casserole, Guinness battered fish and chips, penne pasta with vodka sauce, tuna steak, and much, much more!
All entrees are priced from $7.95 to $18.95.
And then…
For dessert we tried the Oreo cheesecake. The crushed Oreos were spread throughout the cream cheese-style cheesecake and rested on a plate of chocolate syrup. The creamy chocolate dessert was excellent with the whipped cream. All of the desserts are made on the premises and are a bargain at $4.95. Other choices include: chocolate mousse, crème brulee, tiramisu, pie of the day, and specialty coffee drinks.
More
Maxwell’s is open every night for dinner. Monday through Thursday the kitchen is open from 5 to midnight, on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 1 a.m., and on Sunday from 5 to midnight.
Also, most restaurants in Hoboken shut at 10 p.m. on Sundays, so if you are craving a late night snack, this is the place to be!
In addition to the extensive menu, there is a daily special menu. All major credit cards are accepted and gift certificates are available. They will also customize a menu for large private parties.
Maxwell’s is located at 1039 Washington St., Hoboken. For dinner reservations please call, (201) 798-0406 or visit, www.maxwellsnj.com.