Essex Restaurant
(212) 533-9616
120 Essex St
New York,
NY
10002
40.7194
-73.9875
Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown
What People Are Saying About Essex Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The meeting of dramatic, wide-open space and a warm family vibe may be the key to Essex's magic. Double-height, white-washed brick walls and skylights overlook sleek black tables and chairs, creating a sparse, clean atmosphere. At the eat-in bar, bartenders serve up margaritas and Manhattans with a flair that turns alcohol into an art. The fresh menu pays homage to the quirky cultural mixture of the Lower East Side, with plates like potato cake Napoleon, the Essex Cubano sandwich, scallop and mango seviche, tempura tuna and kasha varnishkes. On the weekends, it turns into a lively post-meal destination with DJs spinning an easy blend of house and hip-hop.
User Reviews
TC76
May 05, 2009
Went on Monday evening with a couple of friends for dinner and had a spectacular experience. Our waitress, a lovely woman from South Africa, helped us through an extensive food and drink menu and was spot on with her choices. Cheeseburger Empanadas were amazing. And you can beat the prices-$1 oysters and half-price Martinis for happy hour. Can't wait to try brunch.
read full review
tsetsefly88
May 03, 2009
We had the worst table service at this restaurant. The dinner lasted 2 1/2 hours as we waited what seemed like eternity for our appetizers and entrees. When our appetizer and entree dishes finally came out, 3 out of the 4 plates were cold. What would have been a great meal was ruined. The waitress was inattentive -- she did not provide cutlery for the entree after our first set was taken away. We noticed other tables were also waiting for their food. What was most disappointing was that the waitress and the hostess didn't care after we brought up the issue. The bar area is good if you're just looking for a place for drinks. Do not come here for dinner.
read full review
brooklynbeagle
April 14, 2009
Having read the previous reviews of Essex and figuring Easter brunch might be a bit of a madhouse, I made reservations about 5 days in advance (no problem, by the way, they still had several times available). Upon arrival, I was totally glad I did, as it was utter bedlam inside - in my experience though, any place with this many people waiting to eat is usually worth it! And it totally was - the Easter brunch menu had an astonishingly wide selection of amazing dishes, and additionally it comes with THREE cocktails, your choice of mimosas, screwdrivers, or bloody mary's? All for twenty bucks?? I was blown away. The food was first rate, the atmosphere was lively and fun, and we couldn't have had a better time. Bigups to Essex, you gotta come check this place out!!
read full reviewThe Details on Essex Restaurant
Save Money:
The hearty $16 brunch on Saturdays and Sundays includes three bloody marys, mimosas or screwdrivers.
Know Before You Go:
The kitchen always closes one hour before the bar.
