Maxsells Restaurant

One of the best restaurants in the area. Find a nice day and dine outside on the patio. The view alone of the lake is reason enough to come. But the service, the food and everything in between was all first rate. I could have sat outside for hours drinking more beer while taking in the view. The mozzarella logs, the onion rings, and my burger were all top rate. I don't know when I'll be in the area but can't wait to head back here.

I have been going here occasionally for the last four years and always for 4th of July dinner and fireworks for the past three years.  The food has never been great but the atmosphere is wonderful.  This 4th of July even the atmosphere could not make up for the terrible meal and service.  I had stopped in twice the previous week to make sure we would get the table by the window with a view over the lake as one of my friends is uncomfortable eating outside and it would be a first visit for my other two friends and I wanted everyone to be in the best seat for watching the fireworks after dinner.  When we arrived we were kept waiting without any acknowledgement for over 20 minutes.  I finally had to approach the hostess, Lee Ann, who was tending bar and ignoring us.  We found our table had been given away and we were seated away from the lake view.  Lee Ann apologized and said she would buy us a round of drinks to make up for the lost reservation and seating delay.  Well, that didn't happen.  She also assured us we could have a patio table after dinner to watch the fireworks.  About 20 minutes after sitting down we finally got a drink (that's was almost an hour after we arrived). In the past we had always ordered from the regular menu but that night the had only pork or chicken with beans, sauerkraut and German potato salad.  I had the pork which was indelible.  It included a couple of rib bones which made no sense as all the meat had been cut off.  The chunks of meat on the plate were tough and had an "off" smell and taste. There were also a few pieces of undercooked pig fat or rind which I didn't touch.  When I returned the plate with the meat barely touched the server didn't even ask why.  My friends that had chicken said it was ok.  One friend asked for bread and was told it was not available.  We never got the water we asked for.  We never saw the server after we got our food until they removed our plates and brought the check.  When we went to the patio there were no tables available, as promised, and no hostess in sight so we ended up dragging chairs and benches around to seat ourselves.  We were ignored by wait staff for about another twenty minutes until we practically had to grab a server to order coffee and beer.  Our coffee was barely luke warm which I gave back.  My friend said his beer was cold.  The Florence fireworks were spectacular  which always surprises me for such a small town.  In the past, the beauty and ambiance of Maxsells has made up for the over priced, average meals but no more.  It took a couple of days to get the bad taste of that pork out of my mouth.  The unbelievably bad service is also something I will not subject myself or my friends to again.

Fabulous location.  Wine list very good.  Chef J.P. and wife Lorna bring a new level of excellence to this incredibly gorgeous waterfront restaurant.  If you tried it in the past, it was a different chef.  J.P. is soft spoken, sincere, he will make you feel like you are the only guest.  Food is excellent, service fast, friendly, efficient.  We have experienced long waits in the past, and inconsistent quality.  Chef J.P. is a breath of fresh air!!  Try it if you haven't lately.  We can't wait to go back.  We felt at home, but we also felt pampered.  Truly, a class act.  Well done, J.P. and Lorna.