Max Brenner New York

It was pretty crowded at the door, but we waited exactly 45 minutes as the host predicted. I was seated towards the back and our waiter was very nice. We ordered the chocolate pizza and the banana waffles, which both arrived pretty quickly. Unfortunately the pizza had more marshmallows than chocolate and the chocolate sauce for the waffles seemed more like brown corn syrup. I could not taste any bit of chocolate as both were way too sweet, perhaps to cover the lack of chocolate. I mean can chocolate be that much more expensive than sugar? While we were seated I notice that at least 3 tables around us would be empty and most of the second floor ? empty meanwhile there is a line at the door. I mean couldn?t they seat people more efficiently or is this some kind of market scheme--by artificially creating a line at the door to draw more sheep like me in. Pros: chocolate shop seem ok Cons: long wait, not real chocolate more

Wall-to-wall crowd, no reservations available, HORRIBLY SLOW SERVICE, expensive, don't buy cocktails - they have no alcohol, not even a taste, you'll end up spending $12 for a cold chocolate in a martini glass. Pros: WAFFLES! Cons: Crowded, pricey, loud, slow service and BAD cocktails! more

The mocha drink in the 'hug mug' was yummy, but the chocolate overpowered the coffee a bit. We didn't try any food, but the menu looked great. It's a fun place with interesting, original desserts. Where else can you get melted chocolate to pour over your chocolate? Try to get a table by the window upstairs and watch the world go by. Pros: Interesting, orignal menu Cons: Can get very busy more

Not gourmet but not Dairy Queen either, Max Brenner serves up some tasty, heavy desserts with an emphasis on the many varieties and forms of chocolate. The price is a bit high for what you get, but that's the area. I could never recommend this place, however, because the service is unacceptably awful. On several occasions, our orders were lost and had to be resubmitted, and basic things like napkins and utensils can't be taken for granted without repeatedly asking. The servers have a pretty poor attitude about their shortcomings and if you go, you'll likely be in for a very long, fairly frustrating experience -- assuming it's crowded, because it nearly always is. The theme is fun and the place is nicely decorated; I can imagine that it might eventually be popular in the malls of Jersey, but if they don't fix their service problems before the novelty is gone, NY'rs will probably have their fill in short order. more

I went there early to help set up for an 8pm group birthday dinner that was reserved weeks in advance. Not only was the table not ready but we didn't get set up until 8:50pm. They shuffled a few small square tables and round tables to accomodate our large group. The waiters stood around and watched us (the guests) put together the seats and chairs which were very cramped. The food was mediocre but priced for what it's worth. Our waiter was trying his best to accomodate us but he had just started. We had to shout out the dishes the waitstaff were holding since they were unable to squeeze through the tight configuration we were seated and they got a few orders wrong. Ultimately, I think I'd just visit the store for a quick in and out transaction instead of standing around the crowded lobby waiting for below standard service. I don't think I'd go there again for a sit down meal unless all other stores in the city were closed and I'm in dire need of a hot chocolate. Pros: Extensive chocolate menu Cons: Below average service, inexperienced, slow service for a fast paced restaurant more

This place seemed always packed and I gave a shot for hot chocolate drinks and a little dessert after a long walk on a cold day. My friend and I ordered a chocolate drinks and some icecream dessert and a bottled water. Our waiter said they only have a small bottle and I said that's what I want. Different server brought us an open LARGE bottle of water and I sent it back because that's not what I ordered. She got all mad and rolling her eyes saying that that's the only size they have. I almost felt guilty but again that's not what I ordered. Pros: Location Cons: Poor service, Over-priced food. Dirty dishes. more

I went last weekend--to sum it up, I hope that this meets the fate of the japanese place there before it. The evening was terrible to begin when the hostess with long brown hair was completely rude about seating us. It wasn't crowded, several empty tables, we asked if we could sit near the window and she denied the request as if it were a big inconvenience to her. Then as we waited a long time for our food (which was a waste of money- waffles were nothing special and the chocolate sauce so unflavorful it might as well have come from a hershey's bottle) we had to listen to the tackiest (and outdated, I might add) euro-club-lounge music playing so loud I couldn't hear our conversation. This gave my friends and us time to really look at the place, which is as contrived as going to an outback steakhouse without the friendly servers. If you want a coffee and a good dessert, I say go to the starbucks or ukrainian place on the other corners of the street. more

I never knew where to meet up with people when they call me telling me they are coming to NYC. I want to pick somewhere easy and central, unique, but casual, and not too expensive. Plus i live in the neighborhood...This place fits the bill. The food and service here are great. The food really is surprisingly good, and the desert choices are excellent. The hot chocolate is never hot enough, but the wait staff is attentive and will rewarm it for you. I like this place: easy, relatively affordable, great location, and really good food. Not EXCELLENT, but really good. Plus, the rest of the perks make it a great place to meet up. I recommend going there about 20 minutes early and giving your name, as they are rather busy at key times. You can go to Virgin, or sit at Union Square, or check out the farmers market in the meantime. more

Cool place. But don't let the chocolate mixer fool you. all the chocolates are prepared overseas. They aren't fresh like other place in the city like Jacques Torres Chocolate. Living in Belgium for 3 1/2 years you get really get to know chocolate. But Union square is a nice location and you want a chocolate fix it's a good place to stop for the atmosphere. Pros: Nice spot to get a chocolate fix Cons: Chocolates are not freshly prepared locally but prepared overseas (there are better alternative) more

i always look forward to dessert!... but i always leave quite annoyed and disappointed after leaving max brenner. the wait isnt too bad...and the food is rather delicious, a bit overpriced, but thats new york right? what i cannot get over is how horrible the service is... everyone from the rude hosts/hostesses to the hour long wait for my bill... i mean seriously??? Im definitely going to try and find a new dessert place in the area. you should too! Pros: chocolate desserts Cons: SERVICE!, wait time more

Ate here at the end of my 3rd week in NY on a busy, windy and cold Saturday night. Got there around 7PM and was seated within 10 mins which can probably be attributed to the fact that I was a party of one; most parties of 3 or more were being told 30-45 mins. Waiting area was PACKED. Pros: Italian Thick Hot Chocolate; this drink is the reason to make a trip to Max Brenner Cons: Non-dessert food; save your $$ more

The choclate is amazing and worth the price. The italian hot chocolate is so creamy and bittersweet. The coffee is great and desert i have not yet tried the food . Staff friendly but does not listen well messing up my order at the counter every time i go . They are pretty cool though when they let you sample some of the drinks and mixes while you wait. Pros: Great Chocolate Cons: staff , gets very busy and tight more

I've been in for chocolates and take-out Hot chocolate twice. Everything me and my girlfriend have had has been delicious. I'm anxiously anticipating sitting down and having some more in depth desserts. The chocolate flowing throughout the store was cool, and all the interesting chocolate products and mugs they have are very nice. Pros: Delicious, Different Cons: Crazy crowded more

This is a desert restaurant. Sandwiches and such are offered for those who can't stand to _eat desert first... more

Stopped here late on a Sunday night (the east 9th st location) - i love when things are open late on Sundays. I ordered the ""chocolate mess"" which is like a huge sundae - brownies, ice cream, whipped cream, caramel, chocolate crunches, strawberries - in a gigantic bowl and they give you a mini spatula to eat it with. It was way too big for one person, next time I get it I would definitely order it to share, but sooo worth it! The space itself is really cute too, there is a chocolate bar in the back where you can just buy chocolate by the lb and little novelty items, and a bar in front where you can get takeout chocolate drinks - they looked amazing but I was too full to get one! Will def go back. YUM! Pros: amazing chocolate concotions Cons: some desserts can get a little pricey, but it's worth it more

Being a Native New Yorker ,I can confidently state that this is not a tourist trap. Any New Yorker worth their weight in chocolate knows that this Max Brenner's is a very new shop/ restaurant. I have visited the store half a dozen times and in both locations. My experience has been that most of the clerks/confection specialist are just that highly trained and courteous. The staff and the quality of the sugary delicasies are just top notch. Having visited chocolate shops from Leonidas ,Godiva , Petrossian as well as Torres'sI noticed something very different with Max Brenner's ( imagination). There are innovative new flavors like a white chocolate and cinnamon covered candied apple that evokes the most amazing flavor combonition in your mouth called APPLES. The truffles are hand cut and designed to satisfy the most discerning palate. I have noticed that around the holidays Thanksgiving day and now the Christmas/ Hanukkah season that the stores are quite packed , but so is every store.I find the idea of a Restaurant and Chocolate shop very European and uniquely refreshing , I find that the gourmet food and salads offered in the adjacent Max Brenner restaurant of excellent quality. So when I read the negative review ""TOURIST TRAP"" I realized that Jaques Torres's people were a little nervous of the new success of Max Brenner's new stores at Union Square and St. Marks. The locations are in the heart of the village and very accesible. I am looking forward to other locations and to the new products this creative and innovative new concept will bring to New York and the U.S. Pros: Great service and quality Cons: Needs more space more

My boyfriend and I were in the mood for dessert, so we stopped in. We only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, which gave us plenty of time to peruse the gift shop. Once seated, we picked what we wanted to order. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. About three or four servers walked by us, but no one stopped or even brought water to the table. (I should point out that I'm a server myself, so it's hard for me to have patience with this type of thing.) Finally as a girl was walking by I asked her if anyone would be waiting on us. She was very sweet and took our order even though we weren't in her section. We had the smores and they were delicious and fun to eat. Definitely a large enough portion for two as well- we didn't even finish them. They also have great coffee. Unfortunately, we had to wait again to flag someone down for our check, but that wasn't our waitresses fault- she was extremely busy. I think if this restaurant had more servers on hand it would run a lot more smoothly, but the desserts make it worth it if you can be patient. Pros: great smores, coffee, atmosphere Cons: slow, somewhat unavailable service more

OK, admitedly I have only shopped in the gift shop and did not have table service there. So, I am not qualified to rate the whole restaurant experience. I was running errands in the area and wanted to get my older sister a supplemental chocoholic's gift for her graduation. I had remembered walking by this place and thought I'd stop in for a peek. Not a bright idea on a Saturday afternoon. It was wall-to-wall people. I might have had a better experience had it not been so full. Pros: chocolate, chocolate, chocolate Cons: service, crowds, confusion more

13 of us descended on the Broadway branch of Max Brenner - Chocolate by the Bald Man - this morning - We were seated promptly but that is where the good service stopped - If you want a chocolate fix, it is worth the trip - the hot chocolates were fresh and warm - Pros: Delicious chocolate Cons: Poor food service more

I have been here enough to know that service is on the average very slow (don't make the mistake of showing up very hungry because you will wait forever), that the desserts sometimes come out cold and stale, and that restaurant policies are stupid - for example, I was waiting for two friends to arrive and there were many tables available. I asked if I could sit and order a drink to wait and they would not seat me because of their policy. I mean, come on. I've been there many times, the hostess recognizes me, and I would understand if it were full. Pros: chocolate, chocolate, chocolate more