Burt Rapoport and Dennis Max as a team are probably most famous in South Florida for their collaboration on Max’s Grille in Mizner Park; independent from each other they’ve opened other venues stamped with their own unique style. And true to the circle of life, Rapoport and Max have come together once again with an updated version of their beloved Max’s Grille; Burt & Max’s.

Burt & Max’s

Rapoport and Max’s combined business savvy positioned them in the esoteric “build it and they will come” world. Back in the early 90′s when the Boca Mall transformed into Mizner Park, the beauteous new lifestyle center was a goldmine waiting to happen and the restaurant duo seized the opportunity. Channeling that same energy, Rapoport and Max have taken their recipe for success out west; where literally there is nothing. Not even street lights. Rapoport and Max have built it, watch them come.

Burt & Max’s

Delray Marketplace is just west of the turnpike on Atlantic Avenue; boasting just less than 300,000 square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment; truth is, this growing residential area is prime for retail space of this nature. And to further that point, last night Burt & Max’s was jammed. On a Tuesday night in west Delray this new restaurant, open only 10 days was on a wait at 7pm. Every single seat inside was taken. Delray Marketplace is not at full occupancy, has yet to have its grand opening and the curious residents within 10 miles, north, south and east are like lemmings to the sea.

Chicken Bianca Pizza, Burt & Max’s

Burt & Max’s is a vamped up adaptation of its east ancestor, Max’s Grille. The décor is inviting and attractive, the open kitchen is neat and efficient. The bar is quite the showpiece of the restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating. And as a side note, the bar is equipped with handbag hooks and electrical outlets; prime for charging that smartphone so guests don’t run out of juice as they “tweet & eat”. Running the side length of the restaurant is chic and enviable patio seating (once the Marketplace is fully operational, this will be ideal for people watching, think Mizner Park) complete with a cigar bar.

Ahi Tuna Poke, Burt & Max’s

The Rapoport/Max team knows their clientele and they give them what they want. No reinventing the wheel here. The menu portions are ample, you will not go home hungry, but you will go home with leftovers. The menu itself casts a wide net, from wood fired pizzas, to burgers and sandwiches to entrées including fish tacos, braised beef short ribs, fried chicken and waffles, Max’s bacon wrapped meatloaf, roasted half chicken, and grilled skirt steak.

Fish Tacos, Burt & Max’s

The cocktail menu is inventive with kitschy-named libations such as the Marketplace Mojito, Max’s Margarita, Burt’s Cosmopolitan and the Delray Derby. Cocktail pricing starts at $9. Craft beers such as Magic Hat #9, Chimay Premiere Ale and Harpoon UFO Ale have their place on the list along with the familiar, Corona, Heineken, Stella, and Miller Lite, beer pricing starts at $3. The wines offered are equally as recognizable with names such as Cakebread, Hahn, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Santa Margherita, Kim Crawford and Mondavi, wines by the glass start at $7. Desserts are humongous. They are meant to be shared….by the entire table. Old school sweets such as Carrot Cake, Chocolate Bomb, and Mississippi Mud Cake can end your night in a big sugar rush kind of way. Burt & Max’s will also open for lunch and brunch.

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Burt & Max’s 9089 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33446