Doesn't Recommend

LGOLD

Joined 2 years ago

Worst Experience Ever on a Saturday Brunch. RUDE SERVICE. TWO HOUR WAIT FOR A RESERVATION. I created a citysearch account just so I can write this review on Essex. I will never go back to this place and I suggest others stay away, too. I made a brunch reservation 1 month prior for 10 people for a going away party. From the start you get a bad vibe, the restaurant was packed and there was no where to wait. We were able to get some space by the bar only to be told every five minutes by the hostess to "clear the way for the waitresses." There was literally no where else to stand. One hour goes by and still no table. We continuously asked the hostess for updates only for her to be rude and obnoxtious, telling us "what did we want her to do, go over and make people get up?." No, we want you to better manage your reservations. Another hostess gives us drinks tickets after an hour and 15 minutes of waiting and tells us it's going to be another 30 minutes. As two hours approached we had enough and left. Walked one block to Schillers Liquor bar who had a table right away and were extremely pleasant and had a much better atmosphere - one where you could actually breathe and move. I told the hostess at Essex we were leaving and asked to talk to a manager. (who had been nonexistant all day) She said they have "internal reservation problems" that they have to work on. You think? The manager was actually very nice and apologized but, we had just waited for 2 hours and this was a party for 10 people! He gave us a card and said come back for brunch on him. No, thank you. I will never return there again. Worst experience at a restaurant in NYC in the ten years I've lived here. I don't understand the hype anyway, it wasn't even fun hanging out at the bar. It's a random crowd with random music. Not worth it AT ALL.

Doesn't Recommend

ProfessionalWaiter

Joined 3 years ago

DOUBLED CHARGED. Overcharged. Called to dispute and after being asked to call back 3 times, asked to speak to the GM who refused to help us unless we showed up the next day between 4:30 and 5:30.

When I explained that this was unaccetable after being ripped off he said "You don't know who you're talking to."

WHOA. I guess he's connected and maybe we should call NYPD.

We called our bank and will never go back.

DON"T wate your time or your money.

Recommends

Athena Chang

Joined 3 years ago

Pleasant dining atmosphere. I know Essex is known for their brunch and late night crowd but I opted to come on a week night. It was not too crowded and our waitresses were pretty nice.

We had to wait for my boyfriend for a while they let us sit down without the complete party, which I felt so grateful for. LOL I ordered a glass of Mango Margarita while waiting and it definitely kept me buzzed and distracted.

The fried calamari was good but nothing special. I got the Cuban Sandwich for my entree and my boyfriend got their Wednesday special, a whole Lobster with cobb of corn and some potatoes. The sandwich was grilled and the flavor was great. The lobster on the other hand, is slightly small but fresh and juicy.

My Italian friend also really likes his Swordfish with Mussels and he requested that I give Essex a great rating.

I heard their famous dish is the potato pancake and I look forward to returning for brunch sometime.

Recommends

Ali Pasha

Joined 3 years ago

great place. It was a great experience overall. We had a large party and no reservations and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. The food was really tasty. They have a decent wine list as well as a good selection of cocktails. The DJ was playing a nice mixture of music but it wasn't really loud just right....a good night out with friends...way to go ESSEX

Recommends

Starfools

Joined 3 years ago

Cozy place, fun space. We had oysters on our mind, and then had a couple dirty martinis. We asked the DJ pump up the music and started to dance. Next thing you know, some real good looking guys came and bought us drinks and we had a great time. So we got hungry afterwards and ordered a grilled chicken sandwich. Not a boring moment. I'd relive it any weekend.

Recommends

roriny

Joined 3 years ago

Brilliant. We stopped in on Tuesday night on a friend ‘s recommendation …Just a fabulous place.We made a reservation for 6 of us. We ended up being more than 10 ,they were great accommodating us.They made more space for us at the table in the back of dinning room.The atmosphere was great. The food was just perfect especially the mussels were fantastic,also I got the Fillet Mignon which I strongly recommend it. The specialty drinks are amazing. Watermelon martini is my personal favorite ,be careful though they are deceptively strong. The waitress was great too, as she ran back and fourth with rounds of drinks. We had a incredible time. I highly recommend this place

Recommends

nytiron

Joined 3 years ago

great experience. I went for dinner at Essex with my wife on Friday night. Everything from the food ,to service, to the management was excellent. The cooking was phenomenal, and we enjoyed both our appetizers and main courses. A great place to eat on the lower east side. I would definitely go there again, and recommend it to everyone.

Good job Essex

Doesn't Recommend

Czuks

Joined 4 years ago

Nasty hostess. We had reservations last night at 7pm. Waited at the bar after letting the hostess know we would like to sit. Strawberry mojito was watery and tasteless, kettle soda not strong enough. Mango mojito was better but needs improvement as well. By 7:15 and 2 walks over to the hostess stand (about 5 other tables were already sat) we were still waiting for our table. I was totally ignored and was told one more minute. The place was empty so i didnt understand the wait. Finally we were brought upstairs to an empty section and shown to a 2 top, there were three of us. I can understand if the place was packed but if the restaurant is empty we want a table we can fit more than 2 plates on. We informed the hostess that the table was unacceptable and received an argument and nasty attitude from her. The best move of the night was leaving there asap after feeling as though they were discriminating against us and went over to Rayuela. Fantastic service and amazing food!! Go there instead!!

Recommends

IreneLee

Joined 4 years ago

Fantastic Dinner. I have been here a few times for brunch and decided to try dinner with friends from out of town on a Friday night. Way more upscale for dinner and pricier than brunch but still great value by New York standard. Our waitress was super nice and when we had questions about wine she brought her supervisor to the table who picked out an amazing bottle that was also cheap. The food was great and the portions were huge. I would definitely come back.

Doesn't Recommend

RKB622

Joined 4 years ago

DISGUSTING. I just wanted to take the time and alert the NY/Citysearch of this restaurant's DISGUSTING behavior.

I made a reservation at Essex for my girlfriends birthday dinner and unfortunately had to cancel to fly down to Florida because my grandmother was dying in the hospital. On the way to the airport to catch a flight down to Florida, I remembered that I had a reservation at Essex so I called to explain the situation. After explaining the situation, the manager explained that he had heard this excuse before and was charging me for canceling my reservation because it was their "policy." To make a long story short the manager wouldnt not compromise his policy and showed no remorse for my emergency, then proceeded to tell me to f off. He said the only way he would budge would be for me to fly to Florida and produce a notarized death certificate before my reservation to avoid the "penalty."

In a moment where I was already in extreme emotional distress, the last thing I needed was more from a restaurant that could fill a table in NYC within minutes on Friday. He and the staff at Essex caused me additional emotional despair and I will never step foot in that restaurant again. My girlfriend and I used to go to Essex almost every other week and this is how they treat their customers. I am glad they don't value their customers and human beings and I hope those reading take that in mind when deciding upon the many restaurants in NYC. The food isn't good enough to support a restaurant that exhibits such behavior.