  t’s no secret that pretty much any carnivorous straight man would count his lucky stars on a day he got to eat a juicy steak while goggling scantily clad dancing girls. Leigh Torlage and J.D. Henderson, the new co-owners of Maxine’s Hideaway, have decided to capitalize on human nature. However, women are welcome to attend and enjoy the show as well, which is the main thing that sets Maxine’s apart from her more salacious competition. You know, the lap dancing holes in the wall where men are allowed to disrespect women for a significant sum. Maxine`s isn’t like that. At Maxine’s, the burlesque is a simple result of evolution.
In the 1920’s the historical building was home to “Maxine’s Beauty and Boarding School for Girls” which, during the recession, became a bawdy house and a vessel for illegal moonshine. With Balthazar, the previous restaurant occupying the venue, shuttering its doors, the way has been made for Leigh and her Candy Girl Cabaret.
There is a live show every night by the girls dressed in their knee-highs, bras, panties and not much more. They dance and sing such burlesque favourites as the Roxanne tango from Moulin Rouge and I Want Candy, naturally. I`ve heard of restaurants displaying provocative art as an appetite-inducing tactic but this is taking it to a new level, which is a good thing, because Maxine`s menu is very interesting.
Executive Chef Collin Robertson has created an eclectic menu that features local ingredients and west coast cuisine. In addition to a few tasty gourmet pizzas, there are a few intriguing options that stand out on the card. The ostrich carpaccio with shavings of Manchago cheese, truffle mayo and jack fruit ($13) is one of those things you try for the hell of it and wind up pleasantly surprised. The hoisin duck tacos are along the same vein. Stuffed with edamame guacamole, smoked chili cream, pineapple relish and fresh jalapeños ($15) these are definitely the most off-the-wall tacos you’ll ever have. Pasta Putanesca ($17) (Italian for whore`s pasta) was a must-have, I suppose, considering the kind of entertainment the joint has to offer. Another favourite main is the house`s classic local sockeye salmon fillet in a lemon butter sauce with wilted organic arugula and baby potatoes ($19).
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1215 Bidwell Street, Vancouver, BC
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5 Reader Reviews
This club routinely disgorges noisy drunks onto a residential side street in the west end at 2:00 am. They don't answer their phone at that time so the only way to complain is to the VPD. Please boycott this establishment, which demonstrates so little regard for their neighbours.
Chris's Rating: 1 Stars |
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i really wanted to like this place, but frankly it was awful. The food was very expensive, which i would be fine with had it been any better than what you could get at your local white spot. The prices were on par with the higher end restaurants in Vancouver but the food was the pits. I had to send my dinner back, which I've only done twice in my entire life. The waitress was great, and the fault of the service was not hers. They obviously were very understaffed and this poor girl was serving almost everybody in the place - and really made a valiant effort. But because they were understaffed there was really only so much she could do. Avoid the scallops at all costs! they were rubbery, not seared (as they were represented to be) the corn with them was worse than your average can of jolly green giant. 2 scallops for 15 bucks! two bad bad bad scallops! the prime rib was about as much as you could expect from a denny's steak and egg breakfast. The bruschetta cost 15 bucks and was essentially some tomatoes (unseeded, unseasoned) on some plain bread. yeah, it sucked. The pizza was fine i suppose, they have a proper wood burning pizza oven. Btw! i didn't order all of this myself, this was a group of us! I would have enjoyed the show more if the food was even slightly edible and i was less pissed off about the food. I was really really let down. Seriously guys, those scallops were crap! The place will not last long if they don't change some things. They are attempting to sell high end food, but they obviously are trying to cut costs and the kitchen staff is lacking in basic skills. If they want to survive they really have to look at their menu. They put all this pretentious stuff on their menu they cannot back up. Honestly, it would be better if they stuck to pizza and other less 'hoity toity" food that they could do well rather than attempt to be wolfgang puck on a shoestring. If they cannot afford quality ingredients, they should be more resourceful and stick to easy fair - really unsatisfied customer with an empty wallet.
Stasia's Rating: 1 Stars |
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i really wanted to like this place, but frankly it was awful. The food was very expensive, which i would be fine with had it been any better than what you could get at your local white spot. The prices were on par with the higher end restaurants in Vancouver but the food was the pits. I had to send my dinner back, which I've only done twice in my entire life. The waitress was great, and the fault of the service was not her fault. They obviously were very understaffed and this poor girl was serving almost everybody in the place - and really made a valiant effort. But because they were understaffed there was really only so much she could do. Avoid the scallops at all costs! they were rubbery, not seared (as they were represented to be, the corn with them was worse than your average can of jolly green giant. 2 scallops for 15 bucks! two bad bad bad scallops! the prime rib was about as much as you could expect from a denny's steak and egg breakfast. The bruschetta cost 15 bucks and was essentially some tomatoes (unseeded, unseasoned) on some plain bread. yeah, it sucked. The pizza was fine i suppose, they have a proper wood burning pizza oven. Btw! i didn't order all of this myself, this was a group of us! I would have enjoyed the show more if the food was even slightly edible. I was really really let down. Seriously guys, those scallops were crap. The place will not last long if they don't change some things. They are attempting to sell high end food, but they obviously are trying to cut costs and the kitchen staff is lacking in basic skills. If they want to survive they really have to look at their menu. They put all this pretentious stuff on their menu they cannot back up. Honestly, it would be better if they stuck to pizza and other less 'hoity toity" food that they could do well rather than attempt to be wolfgang puck on a shoestring. If they cannot afford quality ingredients, they should be more resourceful and stick to easy fair - really unsatisfied
Stacey's Rating: 1 Stars |
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Taking the reviewer Jennifer's comment to heart, Maxine's will be adding male dancers on the stage. Thanks Jennifer - what a great idea.
Look for the spirit of Maxine..."the girl in the window"
Leigh's Rating: 4 Stars |
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The $10 martinis are good, but the atmosphere (small, very crowded, dark) and the crowd (30s and unattractive) was just not my scene. The service is slow and pretentious. They need more bartenders. It's not worth the visit if you're a cute twenty-something who likes to have some room to move around and not spill their $10 martini all over the place.
Danelle O.'s Rating: 2 Stars |
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Maxines Hideaway |
1215 Bidwell Street, Vancouver, BC
604-689-8822
West End
25 - 40
Bar
SU –TH 5:30pm – late
Fr – SA 5:00pm – 2:00am
$$$ (Within Reach)
Master Card
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American Express |
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