Sancerre is a beautiful hilltop city, surrounded by magnificent vineyards, the soils of which are the driving force behind the beauty of the Sauvignon blanc expressions from this area. For this edition of The Friday Lunch Club, we explore some of the various aspects of Sancerre, through multiple expressions of what the chalky hills can produce. We pair selections from Henri Bourgeois along with the cuisine of Chef Robert Peterson for this engaging mid-summer event.

Each year the Max Restaurant Group teams up with Josh Cellars for a month-long promotion, where for every glass, quartino and bottle of Josh sold, a portion of the proceeds is donated to the St Francis Foundation in support of their Women’s Heart Health Program. This is a fabulous program that goes out into the community to provide screenings related to cardio-health, as well providing both preventive and treatment resources to women at risk for heart related health issues.

We are very pleased to announce the 2018 contribution totaled over $7000, and will have a direct impact on the various programs and events that are part of the initiative. Max Restaurant Group would like to thank all of our guests for recognizing the benefits of such a program and making a difference by enjoying a glass or bottle of Josh Cellars wine.

The Women’s Heart Program is offered free to any woman over 18. It is designed to help women take a proactive approach to heart disease through education and increased awareness. Participants register for an education session provided by a cardiologist, registered nurse, a registered dietitian, and an exercise physiologist. The staff of the Women’s Heart Program will assist you in developing individualized goals for reducing your risk of heart disease, making appropriate dietary changes, and beginning a structured exercise program.

What happens at a Women’s Heart event?

It lasts about 1 hour, and is led by our team of healthcare professionals that includes a cardiologist, exercise physiologist, a registered dietitian, and a nurse.

The team evaluates your heart risk by looking at your BMI, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Our team may also assess your diet history, any available labs you may have, your physical activity and any other pertinent medical history.

The Cardiologist and nurse will review the signs and symptoms of heart disease for womens and discuss risk reduction strategies. The dietitian will make heart-healthy recommendations about diet, and the exercise physiologist will make physical activity recommendations to help you meet your goals.

The staff also provides educational lectures to groups looking for a team wellness approach.

Although heart disease is the biggest health threat to women, it is preventable.

For more information about the St Francis Hospital and Medical Center’s Women’s Heart Health Program – please visit their website.

Rose wine has been around since wine has been around, but only in the past 5-10 years have American wine drinkers really embraced the style, now making it the fastest growing category in the wine industry. Rose is made from many varieties and in every region of the world where wine is made. From light and easy to fuller-bodied, it comes in bottles, cans and kegs. Perfect for Spring and lighter fare – join us as we celebrate everything pink with some Friday afternoon Rosé drinking and a menu by Chef Hunter Morton’s.

Guest Speaker

Susan McQuade

Winebow Group

COMPLETE MENU TO FOLLOW, BUT HERE IS A PRE-VIEW WITH THE WINE LINE-UP…

HARTFORD, CT – The MAX Restaurant Group, with eleven locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Florida, is making it easy to take action this April during World Autism Awareness month. Gather you’re your family and friends for a meal at any Max restaurant, and you’ll be helping people in our community who are on the autism spectrum.

On Sunday, April 8th, MAX is hosting the third annual Dine for a Cause to benefit Autism Speaks New England and Palm Beach County chapters. We will donate 10 percent of sales from that day to the organization. Autism Speaks is the nation’s leading autism advocacy organization and is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.

The one-day fundraiser means a lot to the staff at The Max Restaurant Group, because it’s personal. Bobby Venetianer, Director of Community Outreach, has a child on the spectrum. “With the prevalence of autism, most of us know someone who is on the spectrum, or a family that has been affected. The Max Restaurant Group is proud to help raise funds and awareness, and hopefully change some lives”, said Venetianer.

Being an advocate for autism couldn’t be easier. Just enjoy a meal at any Max restaurant on April 8, and you can help fund solutions for individuals with autism and support for their families – right here at home.

Founded in 1986 by Richard Rosenthal, the Max Restaurant Group currently operates 11 successful, distinct, and independent restaurants in the Greater Hartford, CT/Springfield, MA areas and The Cooper in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The company prides itself on its customer service and innovative approach in delivering the best dining experience possible and always put forth an uncompromising commitment to quality, service, style, and cuisine. To share in the experience, please visit us in our restaurants or at maxrestaurantgroup.com

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.

Last year we asked the question, “Does Ridge matter?” And with a resounding YES, we featured the new releases and some very special cellar wines from Ridge Vineyards in a delightful tasting and dinner combination. The format was enjoyed so much we are hosting the tasting and dinner once again.

In today’s wine world there are many choices. Since the late 1950s, Ridge Vineyards has been making extraordinary wines in a natural and traditional manner, something many winemakers left but have come back to. The wines by Ridge Vineyards are different, they are full of flavor, flavor of the land from which they are grown and produced. This is something that can be lost by younger winemakers, but with the guiding hand of Paul Draper since 1969, Ridge is still more relevant today, than perhaps it has been at any time in its many years. Max Downtown is very pleased to preset

Please join us at one of the most exciting new winery and dinner locations in the area, high atop Crystal Ridge in South Glastonbury, with the dramatic backdrop of the whole Connecticut River Valley below. The team from Max Restaurant Group and Crystal Ridge Winery are partnering to present an intimate pairing dinner featuring wine from Crystal Ridge as well as selections from Classic wine regions in Europe. Paul Mathes of Shaw-Ross Importers will be on hand to speak about the non-native wine selections as well present a fun finish to the evening.

In 1997, working side by side with his father Ron and brother Brent, Chad helped to establish Melville’s Estate vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills, a journey that began and continues to endure with tremendous passion and dedication. Since that time, Chad has received great critical acclaim for his wines. Through both his intimate knowledge of the vineyards and his relentless commitment to winemaking practices that honor tradition and the land, Chad understands the magical evolution each bottle of wine undertakes from vine to glass.

“Off-the-charts good… these are some of the greatest values in the world of wine today”

A STORY OF A FAMILY The Di Majo Norante winery sits on the estate of the Marquis Norante of Santa Cristina in the region of Molise, along the Adriatic Sea between Puglia and Abruzzo. The cultivation of vines in this area dates back to 500 BC and the estate has been dedicated to growing vines since the 1800s. Founded in 1968, the Di Majo estate cultivates more than 200 acres under vine. In order to ensure consistent, high-quality production for all the estate’s wines, Alessio Di Majo hired renowned oenologist Riccardo Cotarella as a consultant. In addition to producing quality wine at an outstanding value, the Di Majo family is dedicated to practicing environmentally sound agriculture.

Back East Brewing Company is a Craft brewery located in Bloomfield, CT. Founded by Tony Karlowicz and Edward Fabrycki, Jr., two cousins with a passion for great-tasting, high-quality beer.

Back East opened their doors in July 2012, and is now distributed throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts on draft and in cans.

Although originally from Connecticut, Edward began to home-brew while living in San Diego during the 1990s. He eventually moved “Back East” to Connecticut in 2001, with the dream of someday opening a Craft brewery. As a Professional Engineer, Edward enjoys the technical aspects of brewing. Tony developed his appreciation for Craft beer during his college years in Vermont, and always imagined launching a brewery. An entrepreneur at heart and a CPA with extensive experience in accounting, auditing, and insurance, Tony loves building a successful business from the ground up.

Tony and Edward began homebrewing and experimenting with different recipes in early 2006 and immersed themselves in all things Craft beer. Over this time, they developed several exciting recipes that they are proud to put the Back East name on. Back East’s beers are proudly brewed at a small, but state-of-the-art, brewery in Bloomfield, CT.

On February 12, the team from Max Downtown was honored to present a dinner at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City. Standing at the stove where countless culinary elites have stood, Chef Christopher Sheehan executed a tremendous menu paired with exemplary Single Malts from Goa, India by Paul John Whisky. The response to this event was overwhelming, and as such we have decided to recreate this menu and present it at Max Downtown.

Please join the team again, this time in Hartford, for a fabulous JBH experience whisky pairing dinner.