We have eaten at Maxwells a few times over the past few years and have had an outstanding meal every time. Awesome wine selection and the food pairings are unique and very tasty. When we decide to have a special event or want a really nice meal, we always count on Maxwells to deliver. With a bottle of wine for 2, plan to spend $100 to $120 for the meal. Well worth it however. The bar also has a nice beer selection on tap with great appetizers. We stop in on occasion to have a martini and snack just for a change of pace.
(5)
William K.
Excellent. I've been coming to Fargo off and on for the last three months and eat here at least once a trip. First recommended by three different people. Had elk a couple times and the schnitzel special tonight. All well cooked with excellent service. Entree and couple of drinks cost about $60 with tip. Nice decor. Very pleased and highly recommend.
(5)
John M.
Overall, my wife and I enjoyed our food and experience at Maxwell's. While we ate off of the regular menu, we chose to sit in the bar for a more casual setting - we had not made a reservation and we were dressed casually. I had first assumed that while in the bar, we would be limited to the bar food menu but that is not the case. Starting off with a drink, I had a vanilla porter draft beer. I don't remember the brand but I believe it is out of Wisconsin. My wife couldn't decide what to drink so the bartender said he would just make something for her, which ended up being a martini drink that was supposedly a variation of a margarita (with pomegranate). She said it was tasty and strong, and also $12 which seemed a little steep. You could tell the bartender took a great amount of pride in his craft and I could hear him explaining the history of some types of booze to a customer who was asking some questions. For my entree, I had the Lobster Spinach Fettuccine. It was fettuccine made from Spinach, with a very good cheese sauce and topped with a lobster tail and bread. I've always thought lobster is overrated, so while it tasted fine, it was the fettuccine and sauce that made this meal so good. The portion size was very filling. My wife ordered the Roman Gnocchi Tower, which was okay. Nothing spectacular. We finished by sharing a chocolate cake with Bailey's ice cream on top. The dessert was very good and reasonable at $7. Odds of me frequenting Maxwell's again or very often are minimal. Not because of the selection and quality of food, or the ambience (because it is a warm, comfortable place), but mostly because I'm not the type of guy to spend $50 per on his meal. If spending $40-$60 on your meal is not an issue for you, then I would recommend Maxwell's for a try. If you do not know of Maxwell's or are not using something like Yelp to find out, you probably won't stumble upon it. But the same could be said of other good local fine dining like Mezzaluna or Sarello's.
(4)
Stacy K.
I've been here twice now, once for brunch and once for dinner. It's a solid place for a fancy brunch (priced at $25), with a variety of options for salads, meats via a carving station, fresh fruits and veggies, desserts, and a chef's window where you can get made-to-order omelets, crepes, etc. For an additional price, you can also get bottomless bloody Mary's or mimosas with your meal. I was glad I got to go here for brunch because it let me taste a little bit (or a lot) of everything, but since we went a little later in the morning, there were some items like bacon that weren't replenished as quickly as I would have liked. For dinner, I was super impressed! It's going to be a higher price point than your typical FM restaurants since it's finer dining, but worth it. I would rank it in my favorites and seemed comparable to Montes and Rustica in terms of the price, atmosphere/service, and quality of food. I ordered the Vieux Carre at the bar, which I would highly highly recommend if you're a fan of whiskey, B&B,m and brandy (and if you prefer strong drinks). It was served in a deep goblet and had a layer of smoke, which infused the drink with this deliciously smoky, woodsy, and rich taste. For my meal, I ordered the sea bass off of their specials menu, and this was amazing! The fish topped jambalaya, and then came with this delightful and unique combination of brussels sprouts, bacon, and jalapeno chutney.
A diamond in the rough. While traveling maxwells was recommended by the hotel. Don't be dissuaded by the strip mall location (you are in Fargo North Dakota for gods sake) you step off the strip mall into a wonderfully decorated and staffed dining room. A simple but elegant menu delivers and you can watch the chef work! A Very impressive wine list and trained staff know the list. Sarah made a brilliant old Fashioned and tended the bar as if we were in a major city. If you are in Fargo and deciding... GO. HERE. Again a diamond in the rough.
My fiance and I sometimes go here for either special occasions or just to have a nice date-night. From front of house to food, we've never had a negative experience - even slightly. The temperature is always set comfortably whether it's warm or cold outside. Hostesses have always been top-notch, friendly, well-mannered, well-spoken, and have treated us like we're honored guests. In addition to this, they're always dressed in a comfortable, yet refined/classy manner which reflects well upon the restaurant. The interior is open, casual, and at the same time, very much the image of fine-dining - especially for here in Fargo. I cannot speak highly enough of the setting and decor. Moving on, our servers have always been very polite, helpful, and articulate in describing potential apps or entrees and have a very tidy and well-kept appearance. The food is superb. I highly recommend the Ahi as an app. It's fresh, perfectly seared and seasoned, and the portion is excellent for its price-point. Last night we had the baby back ribs (four) with the pineapple slaw and apple cobbler; thoroughly excellent. The ribs were cooked perfectly. They weren't drown in sauce/rub. They were moist, but well-cooked and almost falling off the bone. I had the blackened walleye last night. It was served over asparagus with an avocado/shrimp salsa on a bed/cake of rice. The walleye, asparagus, and avocado were really awesome. My only complaint was that the rice/cake was very overdone and burnt in a couple of places. Still, though, the meal was outstanding. The fish was prepared well, seasoned appropriately, and piping hot. The presentation was also very visually appealing. My fiance had the ribeye and ended up having to take almost half of it home because the portion was so impressive. All this said, I cannot recommend this place highly enough for special occasions or even just for a special date-night or meeting with colleagues.
(4)
Ryan L.
Went there for Sunday brunch. Many people I know had raved about and we finally went after hearing so many good things. Have to say that I was not disappointed at all! Lots of tasty things to choose from and left completely full. Some highlights include: Belgian waffles with a variety of toppings (cinnamon apples, bananas foster, strawberries, chocolate chips), biscuits and gravy, bacon, Italian sausage, and bison meatballs! Fresh fruit and salads were also good; and the coffee was some of the best restaurant coffee I've had! The croissant French toast was a bit too soggy for me, but had good flavor to it. Highly recommended!
(4)
Lindsey B.
Maxwells never disappoints! The menu evolves depending on the season. We eat there frequently and everything is always so good. Definitely one of the best restaurants in FM.
(5)
Sheena B.
I won't disagree that the food was great, HOWEVER, I just can't seem to justify a $38 plate of food in Fargo ND! My husband and I went here for dinner; I got the Rib eye over a bed of mashed potatoes- the steak was a little rare considering I asked for medium rare but it did melt in my mouth. My husband got the elk which he said was to die for. Not a place you go every day but I highly recommend visiting at least once.
(4)
Rusty G.
I always have an excellent meal anytime I eat here with my wife. The prices are high but that's to be expected for the quality, freshness and attention to detail you get with this meal. I can easily drop $100 anytime I'm there but if you want a $10 meal go to I-hop and get what you pay for. Service is always very friendly and assertive and actually give you relevant feedback on what they like on the current menu. The restaurant is always clean and well put together as is the bar and restrooms. They have great whiskey, wine, and other tastings you can sign up for on weekends that are informative about the products and there origins and allow you to sample items you might other wise never try because the expense! Always a great place to dine!
This place is a rare find especially in a small city like Fargo. It's a little pricy but worth it every once in a while. Try their poach salmon and the New Zealand lamb.
(5)
Hue K.
I had the best dinner, drinks and service in Fargo!!! The restaurant is small but cozy and elegant yet comfortable. - Bartenders were great. Very courteous, friendly and attentive. - Great martinis!!! During happy hour, all martinis are $7. So worth it!! Ruby red was perfectly made.. great for something not too sweet. Late night martini (?) with espresso vodka was very good too. Gimlet was almost like mojito.. I would stay here to try all martinis if I had alcohol-proof liver... - Bison meat balls: Highly recommended.. and I am not a meat eater.. Try it. You might change your mind about sharing it with your friend. - Scallop (appetizer): seriously.. this was the best dish ever I had in Fargo. Worth every penny and it can be an entree itself. Deserves blue-ribbon!! - Mussels (appetizer): again.. very good!!! - All entrees were good, Lamb, surf and turf, walleye, Veal... omg.. - Bread pudding: Save room for the bread pudding. it's very good. Crispy top and soft bottom... - Good wine list - You might get to see the chef if you stay around the kitchen a bit... :) I would so come back to Fargo just to have meal or drink (more drink:)) at Maxwells. ps: Complimentary bread with omg-so-soft-butter was worth the trip!! I would just come here to have bread ... all night long...
(5)
Joe H.
Although it's in a strip mall, there's a nice atmosphere when you walk in the door. The hostess was quite vibrant and welcoming. The booths are a great place to experience the ambience, but the tables in the back have a cooler, more sterile feel. Our waiter was prompt with a good disposition. There's plenty of wine to choose from, but our choice (chardonnay at $38) only gets about 3 stars. It was good, but not distinctive. We arrived hungry and were disappointed that entrees don't come with a salad. As such we ordered a bowl of soup, which was quite tasty and came with bread and big parmesan crackers. It wasn't too busy, and we didn't have any problems with slow service. Overall nothing on the dining menu really jumped out at either of us. I decided on the lobster alfredo which was good but not great. The lobster was a little north of cooked, and although the sauce was rich, the flavor was not. The presentation was good, and there were some exciting looking dishes passing by. I have to disagree about it being the best fine dining in North Dakota. First, it's in a strip mall, which shouldn't matter but it does. Second, in my opinion it's a bit pricey for a 3-star experience. There are a few restaurants downtown (hodo, usher's, monte's, toscana) which I think have better price=value balance.
(3)
Lyndsey C.
Great martini list, very nice atmosphere. It is upscale feeling in Fargo. The menu is fantastic and the food is always delicious. The only downfall is the price point. This place seems to be a bit higher in price than it needs to be.
(4)
Stephanie S.
This 5 star review is for the whole experience that my husband and I had on our 15th anniversary. The band was amazing! We sat right up front and the band came to talk to you during the break--really nice. The scallops for appetizers were excellently cooked. I can say that they are perhaps the best appetizer that I have ever had. Our waitress, the hostess, the owner all stopped at our table to congratulate us and to check on water, etc. It was really excellent service. Honestly, one of the best eating experiences that I have had here in Fargo, but also in bigger cities...
(5)
CuriousCa T.
I have now eaten at Maxwells twice and I don't believe I will be going back for their dinner menu. My first experience at the fine dining restaurant was not what I was expecting. My steak was undercooked, and my service was horrible; however the butternut squash soup was amazing enough to give this place a second try. Tonight my service was excellent along with the Alaskan soup! Sadly, our food was not. I had the Amish Chicken stuffed with Crab and it tasted like something I could have made at home. My fiance's Lobster and Goat Cheese Fettuccine tasted great but it was just a fancier version a very generic pasta dish. It seems to me that getting the patron's "WOW" factor by presentation is more important than making their food exceptional. If you are looking for a place to escape the feeling of being in a small town this is a good place. They sometimes provide live music, and have a warm atmosphere. It looks like its a great place to get an after work drink/app or have a Sunday brunch but I wouldn't waste my time/money on their dinner menu again. I will give this place 1...ONE...more try, for Sunday brunch only and we will see what type of a review that gets.
(3)
Tristan C.
Coming from LA, this place is probably a heaven sent for a fine dining experience in Fargo-Moorhead area. What can I say? At first look you might not like the way the restaurant look from outside, its look more like a barn than a fine dining restaurant. But please dont let its look fools you. Once inside, You will be trully impressed by the decor and how romantic and classy touch the whole place are. But hey, I am not here to review the decor, am here to review the foods. Me and my date ordered a crab cakes appetisers which is so and so only but quite pricy at $14 for 2 itty bitty crab cakes so go another route if you want appetisers. We also ordered 2 main entree which is the beef rib with gorgonzola cheese and the bison meat. I can honestly say that I am not really crazy about the beef rib at $33 because there are simply too many unwanted fat. Now on the other hand the bison meat were delectable. At $24 it trully is awesome. I mean I dont think I can eat a bison anywhere else but around this area in the states right? Service are great and attentive although you feel like you are a little bit rushed once the clock ticks at 9 pm. All and all this establishment deserved a 4 star not quite the 5 star people raves about because there are rooms for improvement.
(4)
Olivia S.
Bring your wallet and bring your patience. This is a wine & dine experience. The food is exceptional, my side salad was absolutely amazing. The bread and parmesan crackers were also very good. I will definitely return. Make a reservation for 5 is you want to eat between 6:30 & 7. Reservation was at 6:30 didn't order until 7:30 and our food arrived a bit before 9.
Had an reservation for 7:15 got in right away. Waited 10 min until waiter showed up to take our order. Then continued to have poor services for the next 1.25 hrs. Then after waiting 1.25hrs our food finally showed up. 2 of our table of 7 ordered the elk steak medium rare; the steak that showed up was the elk tips not the steak we ordered and on top of that they were raw. The only reason for one star was cold beverages. Never got an apology or an excuse. Last time we eat here..btw the bill was over $250.
(1)
Clint L.
Sadly, Maxwell 's Sunday brunch is sliding in many regards. They more recently raised the price and at the same time there has been a noticeable decline in the food quality and presentation. Many times, chaffing dishes are near empty or left empty as though no one had planned for the customer count. Staff are always attentive and friendly but that's not enough to compensate for the food disappointments. Used to go there once or twice a month but doubt we'll make an effort to drive that far any more.
(1)
Michelle B.
Service, drinks and food are unbelievable. Great atmosphere. We had 7 of us and shared plates and desserts, every plate came out with excellent presentation and tasted as good as it looked. There is no doubt that any time we are in Fargo, we will be eating here.
(5)
Jack C.
My wife and I were wanting to celebrate my new job, so we decided to go someplace nice for dinner. Seeing as we've never been here before, we decided to give them a try. We made a reservation for 5:00 on a Saturday, and we were off! The entire wait staff is to be commended! Everyone was extremely friendly and very helpful when it came to questions about items on the menu. While I've tried escargot before (and thoroughly enjoyed it), my wife had never tried it, so we decided to give their Escargot appetizer a try. Swimming a rich, garlic butter sauce, and served with grilled bread, it was amazing! We also shared a bowl of their Chipotle Sweet Potato Bisque w/ Cilantro Lime Cream. That just might have been the best-tasting soup I've ever had! So good! For our main entrees, my wife had their Surf & Turf, and I had the Coffee Rubbed Heluka Pork Tenderloin. Both were really good, but I was a little disappointed with the size of the portions; not so much mine, but my wife's. The lobster tail looked closer to something that was the size of a crayfish, and not a lobster! It didn't matter; my wife said it tasted great, and that's all that truly mattered to me. For dessert, we had their Duck Egg Crème Brulee. Honestly, had they not mentioned that a duck egg was used to make it we wouldn't have known the difference. Didn't taste any different, and the texture was still the same. An after-dinner drink closed out the meal for us. While I knew this place would be spendy, I had no idea that it would end up being the second-most expensive meal that we've ever had! While the food and drink were absolutely amazing, I don't think it was worth the price. Overall, we loved the place, and if we were to go back it would probably be to their bar to have some good-quality food without the restaurant prices. Definitely a special occasion kind of place! I've also heard that they've got one of the best Sunday brunches around; too bad I work on Sundays.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Bryan S.
We have eaten at Maxwells a few times over the past few years and have had an outstanding meal every time. Awesome wine selection and the food pairings are unique and very tasty. When we decide to have a special event or want a really nice meal, we always count on Maxwells to deliver. With a bottle of wine for 2, plan to spend $100 to $120 for the meal. Well worth it however. The bar also has a nice beer selection on tap with great appetizers. We stop in on occasion to have a martini and snack just for a change of pace.
(5)William K.
Excellent. I've been coming to Fargo off and on for the last three months and eat here at least once a trip. First recommended by three different people. Had elk a couple times and the schnitzel special tonight. All well cooked with excellent service. Entree and couple of drinks cost about $60 with tip. Nice decor. Very pleased and highly recommend.
(5)John M.
Overall, my wife and I enjoyed our food and experience at Maxwell's. While we ate off of the regular menu, we chose to sit in the bar for a more casual setting - we had not made a reservation and we were dressed casually. I had first assumed that while in the bar, we would be limited to the bar food menu but that is not the case. Starting off with a drink, I had a vanilla porter draft beer. I don't remember the brand but I believe it is out of Wisconsin. My wife couldn't decide what to drink so the bartender said he would just make something for her, which ended up being a martini drink that was supposedly a variation of a margarita (with pomegranate). She said it was tasty and strong, and also $12 which seemed a little steep. You could tell the bartender took a great amount of pride in his craft and I could hear him explaining the history of some types of booze to a customer who was asking some questions. For my entree, I had the Lobster Spinach Fettuccine. It was fettuccine made from Spinach, with a very good cheese sauce and topped with a lobster tail and bread. I've always thought lobster is overrated, so while it tasted fine, it was the fettuccine and sauce that made this meal so good. The portion size was very filling. My wife ordered the Roman Gnocchi Tower, which was okay. Nothing spectacular. We finished by sharing a chocolate cake with Bailey's ice cream on top. The dessert was very good and reasonable at $7. Odds of me frequenting Maxwell's again or very often are minimal. Not because of the selection and quality of food, or the ambience (because it is a warm, comfortable place), but mostly because I'm not the type of guy to spend $50 per on his meal. If spending $40-$60 on your meal is not an issue for you, then I would recommend Maxwell's for a try. If you do not know of Maxwell's or are not using something like Yelp to find out, you probably won't stumble upon it. But the same could be said of other good local fine dining like Mezzaluna or Sarello's.
(4)Stacy K.
I've been here twice now, once for brunch and once for dinner. It's a solid place for a fancy brunch (priced at $25), with a variety of options for salads, meats via a carving station, fresh fruits and veggies, desserts, and a chef's window where you can get made-to-order omelets, crepes, etc. For an additional price, you can also get bottomless bloody Mary's or mimosas with your meal. I was glad I got to go here for brunch because it let me taste a little bit (or a lot) of everything, but since we went a little later in the morning, there were some items like bacon that weren't replenished as quickly as I would have liked. For dinner, I was super impressed! It's going to be a higher price point than your typical FM restaurants since it's finer dining, but worth it. I would rank it in my favorites and seemed comparable to Montes and Rustica in terms of the price, atmosphere/service, and quality of food. I ordered the Vieux Carre at the bar, which I would highly highly recommend if you're a fan of whiskey, B&B,m and brandy (and if you prefer strong drinks). It was served in a deep goblet and had a layer of smoke, which infused the drink with this deliciously smoky, woodsy, and rich taste. For my meal, I ordered the sea bass off of their specials menu, and this was amazing! The fish topped jambalaya, and then came with this delightful and unique combination of brussels sprouts, bacon, and jalapeno chutney.
(4)Mike C.
OK, I'm in Fargo by myself on business. Always adventurous I want to find a great, local establishment. At first glance Maxwell's seems to fit the bill so off I go. I arrive early, 5:00 since I know it's a small place and I have a time change to deal with. When I walk in the dining room is empty, I mean like 1 table seated. Let me back up, I don't have a problem eating by myself especially since I travel but I hate sitting at bars to eat...I just don't like the atmosphere. The snotty "host" greeted me with "do you have a reservation?" I didn't but arrived early out of consideration and hopes that I can have a great local meal. He told me that all tables in the dining room were reserved but I can sit at the bar. Great. So I take a seat at a 2 person high top. I wait forever for the server to even realize that I'm there. I decided to have a soup and entrée and the server suggested the Lamb Stew which was wonderful. I'm a huge lamb fan and this soup hit the spot. I went with the Maple Glazed, Duroc pork tenderloin. OMG, it was worth the wait. Cooked perfectly and plated with style....it should have been in a magazine. I chose the mushroom risotto instead of the pilaf. Very good entrée, I was impressed considering I was in Fargo and I had low expectations. No more, this place is the real deal. As I left, I walked through the dining room once again it wasn't that full and the rude host could have sat me there and I would have been gone before any of the reservations got there. I hate that, my experience would have been much better had I not had to sit in the bar. Oh well, great food!!!
(4)Phil L.
A diamond in the rough. While traveling maxwells was recommended by the hotel. Don't be dissuaded by the strip mall location (you are in Fargo North Dakota for gods sake) you step off the strip mall into a wonderfully decorated and staffed dining room. A simple but elegant menu delivers and you can watch the chef work! A Very impressive wine list and trained staff know the list. Sarah made a brilliant old Fashioned and tended the bar as if we were in a major city. If you are in Fargo and deciding... GO. HERE. Again a diamond in the rough.
(4)Mark L.
We went to Maxwell's on July 21st for a birthday dinner with family from out of town. What a mistake. Very slow service and no apologies. It took over an hour and a half to get our entrées with no updates. When we asked for a manager we were told that they didn't have a manager on duty. After 15 minutes a female wait person came over and said that she would talk to the kitchen about our order but the restaurant was busy due to a big table. She went on to say that most entrées take 45 minutes to prepare and they have a very small kitchen. When presenting us with our bill, the pseudo manager came to our table and told us she had removed the cost of our entrées and told us not to take the slow service out on our waitress because it wasn't her fault. Yikes. Send these people back to customer service 101.
(1)John E.
My fiance and I sometimes go here for either special occasions or just to have a nice date-night. From front of house to food, we've never had a negative experience - even slightly. The temperature is always set comfortably whether it's warm or cold outside. Hostesses have always been top-notch, friendly, well-mannered, well-spoken, and have treated us like we're honored guests. In addition to this, they're always dressed in a comfortable, yet refined/classy manner which reflects well upon the restaurant. The interior is open, casual, and at the same time, very much the image of fine-dining - especially for here in Fargo. I cannot speak highly enough of the setting and decor. Moving on, our servers have always been very polite, helpful, and articulate in describing potential apps or entrees and have a very tidy and well-kept appearance. The food is superb. I highly recommend the Ahi as an app. It's fresh, perfectly seared and seasoned, and the portion is excellent for its price-point. Last night we had the baby back ribs (four) with the pineapple slaw and apple cobbler; thoroughly excellent. The ribs were cooked perfectly. They weren't drown in sauce/rub. They were moist, but well-cooked and almost falling off the bone. I had the blackened walleye last night. It was served over asparagus with an avocado/shrimp salsa on a bed/cake of rice. The walleye, asparagus, and avocado were really awesome. My only complaint was that the rice/cake was very overdone and burnt in a couple of places. Still, though, the meal was outstanding. The fish was prepared well, seasoned appropriately, and piping hot. The presentation was also very visually appealing. My fiance had the ribeye and ended up having to take almost half of it home because the portion was so impressive. All this said, I cannot recommend this place highly enough for special occasions or even just for a special date-night or meeting with colleagues.
(4)Ryan L.
Went there for Sunday brunch. Many people I know had raved about and we finally went after hearing so many good things. Have to say that I was not disappointed at all! Lots of tasty things to choose from and left completely full. Some highlights include: Belgian waffles with a variety of toppings (cinnamon apples, bananas foster, strawberries, chocolate chips), biscuits and gravy, bacon, Italian sausage, and bison meatballs! Fresh fruit and salads were also good; and the coffee was some of the best restaurant coffee I've had! The croissant French toast was a bit too soggy for me, but had good flavor to it. Highly recommended!
(4)Lindsey B.
Maxwells never disappoints! The menu evolves depending on the season. We eat there frequently and everything is always so good. Definitely one of the best restaurants in FM.
(5)Sheena B.
I won't disagree that the food was great, HOWEVER, I just can't seem to justify a $38 plate of food in Fargo ND! My husband and I went here for dinner; I got the Rib eye over a bed of mashed potatoes- the steak was a little rare considering I asked for medium rare but it did melt in my mouth. My husband got the elk which he said was to die for. Not a place you go every day but I highly recommend visiting at least once.
(4)Rusty G.
I always have an excellent meal anytime I eat here with my wife. The prices are high but that's to be expected for the quality, freshness and attention to detail you get with this meal. I can easily drop $100 anytime I'm there but if you want a $10 meal go to I-hop and get what you pay for. Service is always very friendly and assertive and actually give you relevant feedback on what they like on the current menu. The restaurant is always clean and well put together as is the bar and restrooms. They have great whiskey, wine, and other tastings you can sign up for on weekends that are informative about the products and there origins and allow you to sample items you might other wise never try because the expense! Always a great place to dine!
(5)Brandon R.
The escargot appetizer was actually very good. The elk steak was dry and not seasoned properly, but it was cooked medium rare as ordered, so props for that. It was lacking a sauce on it; which is a staple of French cooking. The lamb chops were properly cooked, but again need a sauce drizzled on top, or more seasoning. The espresso creme brûlée had way too strong of an espresso flavor, in my opinion. However, the kitchen did an outstanding job of caramelizing the sugar. Which is sometimes not caramelized enough at other establishments. The waiter overall did an ok job, but could use a little improvement due to the upscale image the restaurant is trying to display. He interrupted us a lot and let out drinks run out, which is a no in fine dining. I think he was just ready to go home. Overall, I would be willing to give it another shot. But the meal I had doesn't stack up to other French cuisine I've had and was a little pricey considering the quality and the service.
(3)Soupany S.
This place is a rare find especially in a small city like Fargo. It's a little pricy but worth it every once in a while. Try their poach salmon and the New Zealand lamb.
(5)Hue K.
I had the best dinner, drinks and service in Fargo!!! The restaurant is small but cozy and elegant yet comfortable. - Bartenders were great. Very courteous, friendly and attentive. - Great martinis!!! During happy hour, all martinis are $7. So worth it!! Ruby red was perfectly made.. great for something not too sweet. Late night martini (?) with espresso vodka was very good too. Gimlet was almost like mojito.. I would stay here to try all martinis if I had alcohol-proof liver... - Bison meat balls: Highly recommended.. and I am not a meat eater.. Try it. You might change your mind about sharing it with your friend. - Scallop (appetizer): seriously.. this was the best dish ever I had in Fargo. Worth every penny and it can be an entree itself. Deserves blue-ribbon!! - Mussels (appetizer): again.. very good!!! - All entrees were good, Lamb, surf and turf, walleye, Veal... omg.. - Bread pudding: Save room for the bread pudding. it's very good. Crispy top and soft bottom... - Good wine list - You might get to see the chef if you stay around the kitchen a bit... :) I would so come back to Fargo just to have meal or drink (more drink:)) at Maxwells. ps: Complimentary bread with omg-so-soft-butter was worth the trip!! I would just come here to have bread ... all night long...
(5)Joe H.
Although it's in a strip mall, there's a nice atmosphere when you walk in the door. The hostess was quite vibrant and welcoming. The booths are a great place to experience the ambience, but the tables in the back have a cooler, more sterile feel. Our waiter was prompt with a good disposition. There's plenty of wine to choose from, but our choice (chardonnay at $38) only gets about 3 stars. It was good, but not distinctive. We arrived hungry and were disappointed that entrees don't come with a salad. As such we ordered a bowl of soup, which was quite tasty and came with bread and big parmesan crackers. It wasn't too busy, and we didn't have any problems with slow service. Overall nothing on the dining menu really jumped out at either of us. I decided on the lobster alfredo which was good but not great. The lobster was a little north of cooked, and although the sauce was rich, the flavor was not. The presentation was good, and there were some exciting looking dishes passing by. I have to disagree about it being the best fine dining in North Dakota. First, it's in a strip mall, which shouldn't matter but it does. Second, in my opinion it's a bit pricey for a 3-star experience. There are a few restaurants downtown (hodo, usher's, monte's, toscana) which I think have better price=value balance.
(3)Lyndsey C.
Great martini list, very nice atmosphere. It is upscale feeling in Fargo. The menu is fantastic and the food is always delicious. The only downfall is the price point. This place seems to be a bit higher in price than it needs to be.
(4)Stephanie S.
This 5 star review is for the whole experience that my husband and I had on our 15th anniversary. The band was amazing! We sat right up front and the band came to talk to you during the break--really nice. The scallops for appetizers were excellently cooked. I can say that they are perhaps the best appetizer that I have ever had. Our waitress, the hostess, the owner all stopped at our table to congratulate us and to check on water, etc. It was really excellent service. Honestly, one of the best eating experiences that I have had here in Fargo, but also in bigger cities...
(5)CuriousCa T.
I have now eaten at Maxwells twice and I don't believe I will be going back for their dinner menu. My first experience at the fine dining restaurant was not what I was expecting. My steak was undercooked, and my service was horrible; however the butternut squash soup was amazing enough to give this place a second try. Tonight my service was excellent along with the Alaskan soup! Sadly, our food was not. I had the Amish Chicken stuffed with Crab and it tasted like something I could have made at home. My fiance's Lobster and Goat Cheese Fettuccine tasted great but it was just a fancier version a very generic pasta dish. It seems to me that getting the patron's "WOW" factor by presentation is more important than making their food exceptional. If you are looking for a place to escape the feeling of being in a small town this is a good place. They sometimes provide live music, and have a warm atmosphere. It looks like its a great place to get an after work drink/app or have a Sunday brunch but I wouldn't waste my time/money on their dinner menu again. I will give this place 1...ONE...more try, for Sunday brunch only and we will see what type of a review that gets.
(3)Tristan C.
Coming from LA, this place is probably a heaven sent for a fine dining experience in Fargo-Moorhead area. What can I say? At first look you might not like the way the restaurant look from outside, its look more like a barn than a fine dining restaurant. But please dont let its look fools you. Once inside, You will be trully impressed by the decor and how romantic and classy touch the whole place are. But hey, I am not here to review the decor, am here to review the foods. Me and my date ordered a crab cakes appetisers which is so and so only but quite pricy at $14 for 2 itty bitty crab cakes so go another route if you want appetisers. We also ordered 2 main entree which is the beef rib with gorgonzola cheese and the bison meat. I can honestly say that I am not really crazy about the beef rib at $33 because there are simply too many unwanted fat. Now on the other hand the bison meat were delectable. At $24 it trully is awesome. I mean I dont think I can eat a bison anywhere else but around this area in the states right? Service are great and attentive although you feel like you are a little bit rushed once the clock ticks at 9 pm. All and all this establishment deserved a 4 star not quite the 5 star people raves about because there are rooms for improvement.
(4)Olivia S.
Bring your wallet and bring your patience. This is a wine & dine experience. The food is exceptional, my side salad was absolutely amazing. The bread and parmesan crackers were also very good. I will definitely return. Make a reservation for 5 is you want to eat between 6:30 & 7. Reservation was at 6:30 didn't order until 7:30 and our food arrived a bit before 9.
(4)K C.
We had reservations but showed up a little early and they were able to sit us. Waitstaff were all friendly, attentive, and informative. Atmosphere warm and comfortable. Had the bison surf n turf with the Brie appetizer and creme brûlée dessert - all absolutely delicious! Will definitely be back!
(5)Andrew W.
Had an reservation for 7:15 got in right away. Waited 10 min until waiter showed up to take our order. Then continued to have poor services for the next 1.25 hrs. Then after waiting 1.25hrs our food finally showed up. 2 of our table of 7 ordered the elk steak medium rare; the steak that showed up was the elk tips not the steak we ordered and on top of that they were raw. The only reason for one star was cold beverages. Never got an apology or an excuse. Last time we eat here..btw the bill was over $250.
(1)Clint L.
Sadly, Maxwell 's Sunday brunch is sliding in many regards. They more recently raised the price and at the same time there has been a noticeable decline in the food quality and presentation. Many times, chaffing dishes are near empty or left empty as though no one had planned for the customer count. Staff are always attentive and friendly but that's not enough to compensate for the food disappointments. Used to go there once or twice a month but doubt we'll make an effort to drive that far any more.
(1)Michelle B.
Service, drinks and food are unbelievable. Great atmosphere. We had 7 of us and shared plates and desserts, every plate came out with excellent presentation and tasted as good as it looked. There is no doubt that any time we are in Fargo, we will be eating here.
(5)Jack C.
My wife and I were wanting to celebrate my new job, so we decided to go someplace nice for dinner. Seeing as we've never been here before, we decided to give them a try. We made a reservation for 5:00 on a Saturday, and we were off! The entire wait staff is to be commended! Everyone was extremely friendly and very helpful when it came to questions about items on the menu. While I've tried escargot before (and thoroughly enjoyed it), my wife had never tried it, so we decided to give their Escargot appetizer a try. Swimming a rich, garlic butter sauce, and served with grilled bread, it was amazing! We also shared a bowl of their Chipotle Sweet Potato Bisque w/ Cilantro Lime Cream. That just might have been the best-tasting soup I've ever had! So good! For our main entrees, my wife had their Surf & Turf, and I had the Coffee Rubbed Heluka Pork Tenderloin. Both were really good, but I was a little disappointed with the size of the portions; not so much mine, but my wife's. The lobster tail looked closer to something that was the size of a crayfish, and not a lobster! It didn't matter; my wife said it tasted great, and that's all that truly mattered to me. For dessert, we had their Duck Egg Crème Brulee. Honestly, had they not mentioned that a duck egg was used to make it we wouldn't have known the difference. Didn't taste any different, and the texture was still the same. An after-dinner drink closed out the meal for us. While I knew this place would be spendy, I had no idea that it would end up being the second-most expensive meal that we've ever had! While the food and drink were absolutely amazing, I don't think it was worth the price. Overall, we loved the place, and if we were to go back it would probably be to their bar to have some good-quality food without the restaurant prices. Definitely a special occasion kind of place! I've also heard that they've got one of the best Sunday brunches around; too bad I work on Sundays.
(4)