Essex

Omg what a meal!<br><br>My favorites were the steak with chimichuri and the calamari.<br><br>The honey apple martinis were incredible too.<br><br>Fast service and cute vibes for a girl dinner

Helena is the best!!!! She is so respectful and proper. Could not ask for a better waitress! She made the mothers day brunch experience so enjoyable!

Helena was an amazing server! So friendly and attentive. Perfect Mother’s Day!<br>Thank you!

Our waitress Sophia was so kinda and made this experience so amazing!! First time here and def coming back, food was amazing and the bottomless brunch is a must! They make you feel so welcome and comfortable! (Thanks Sophia) And they don’t rush you out which is such a huge plus in New York City! Love love love !!

I recently visited Essex for Sunday brunch with my girls, and overall, I’d describe the experience as decent.<br>On the positive side, we all agreed that the food and bottomless drinks were great. I ordered the shrimp and grits, and it was packed with flavor. The drinks were also well-made and definitely a highlight of our visit.<br>Unfortunately, the service is what threw off the entire experience. After being seated, we waited about 10 minutes before our waitress even acknowledged us. The restaurant was not packed yet and two groups which came after us was greeted by their waitresses before us. When we placed our orders, she repeatedly questioned how we wanted our food prepared in a way that came across as condescending. Throughout the meal, our glasses were left empty for long stretches while she stood in the corner on her phone, which ultimately ate into our 90 minutes. I must say though, the most surprising moment came when I asked her to break a larger bill into smaller ones. She questioned if I was sure and then explained that the restaurant didn’t have cash on hand and she’d have to go next door to a deli to get change. That was definitely a first for me and felt unprofessional to disclose.<br>I don’t want one staff member to completely overshadow the experience, because the food, drinks, and overall vibe were enjoyable. However, the service at least from this particular waitress, definitely needs improvement and attention.

We had brunch here and went with the bottomless option for $47 which included mimosas, Aperol spritzes, Bloody Marys, and Narragansett beers. We got the burgers (one vegan beyond burger, one regular). Both were pretty good. Overall good service and atmosphere.

We ordered the Mezze (hummus, tzatziki & feta-garlic spread), Essex Kofta Meatballs, Seared Dayboat Scallops, Roasted Baby Heirloom Carrots, and the Purple Rose Martinis (not pictured).<br><br>Unfortunately, all of the food was served cold. The meatballs and scallops were sent back to be reheated, but when returned they were only slightly warm. The scallops themselves were flavorful and delicious, and the chilled carrots were decent.<br><br>There was also a mix-up with my mezze selection. I did not order the feta-garlic spread, I selected olives as my third option. The order was corrected, which I appreciated.<br><br>Overall, price for quality, it just wasn’t to my taste, and I wouldn’t recommend it.

I came here for Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend and my best friend with her partner. We opted for the Valentine’s Day Dinner, which gives you the choice of a starter, entrée, and dessert for $95 each. Honestly, based on that menu, the food wasn’t the best. I can’t speak for the rest of the restaurant’s offerings, but my meal lacked seasoning and didn’t impress me.<br><br>That said, the service was wonderful. Our waitress was amazing—she treated us with care and offered excellent recommendations. She suggested THE SPICY MEZCALERO (Mezcal Verde Momento | Pineapple | Cinnamon | Tabasco) for me since I said I didn’t want anything sweet, and I really enjoyed it. She also recommended the CINNAMON SOUR (Cinnamon Infused Whiskey | Triple Sec | Sour Mix | Charred Cinnamon Stick | Fee Foam), which I didn’t try. My best friend’s boyfriend tried the SNAKE CHARMER (Four Roses Bourbon | Campari | Sweet Vermouth | Black Walnut Bitters) and thought it was good.<br><br>All of these drinks are not overly sweet, so if you’re looking for something balanced, these are great picks. I did try the espresso martini, but at $18, I wouldn’t recommend it—it didn’t compare to other espresso martinis I’ve had.<br><br>The atmosphere is exactly what it’s supposed to be: calm, fancy, and elevated. The dress code leans upscale, so be prepared to dress for the occasion. This place is extremely expensive, so plan to spend quite a bit.<br><br>Overall, if you want a fancy night out for one or two carefully chosen drinks, this is a great spot. But for me, this was a one-time experience.

Overbooked and uncomfortably loud. The staff appeared burnt out, and unfortunately the food reflected that. Once our dishes were dropped, service completely stopped—no refills, no check-ins. After waiting 45 minutes for the bill, we had to ask the hostess to track down our server. The interaction was dismissive, turning a simple “yeah” into something needlessly insulting. We won’t be returning.

The place is nice and the people who work at the restaurant are excellent. Unfortunately, the food is not good. Some dishes are very greasy, and the small details don’t add up—for example, serving bread straight from the refrigerator, cold and without any consideration. The food is also not flavorful; it’s salty and poorly presented.

Came here on a whim but would come again for the service! Helena was amazing in so many ways. I participated in the bottomless option and Helena honestly never let me see the bottom of my glass the entire time I was here. She is incredibly sweet, friendly, and bubbly.

This was a very interesting experience; the espresso martini was definitely a 9/10 for my partner and I - however, it just fell short in other aspects. Granted it seemed to be short on staff, as our service was slow but attentive, and booked with tables. This may have affected our experience, nonetheless, it was okay. The food, Calamari 5/10, NY Strip Steak 5/10, truffle fries were all very underwhelming.

Just found one of NYC’s newest Mediterranean steakhouses and it’s stunning from the moment you step inside!<br><br>Essex has been a staple for over 20 years, housed in a beautiful historic loft style building and has recently undergone a full rebrand and remodel. The space now blends modern elegance with classic architectural charm, creating an upscale yet inviting dining atmosphere.<br><br>From the stylish interiors to the perfectly cooked steaks and elevated appetizers, every detail feels intentional and refined.<br><br>If you’re searching for a new NYC restaurant for date nights, celebrations or an upscale dinner spot in Manhattan, this is definitely one to add to your must visit list.<br><br>Loved everything here!

We got the champagne brunch and it was a fantastic deal! Great drinks, delicious food, the manchego mac and cheese is a must. The interior is stunning after the renovation, perfect place for a date or large parties. Service was super attentive — my water was never empty lol. And Katie was a doll. Such a fabulous gal. Highly recky

I’m starting this review with the drink because it truly deserves the spotlight. I ordered the Purple Rose Martini, and it was exceptional — beautifully balanced, fragrant, and honestly one of the best drinks I’ve had in a long time.<br><br>For appetizers, we had the trio of dips: hummus, baba ghanoush, and tzatziki, served with warm pita. Everything tasted incredibly fresh and flavorful — the perfect beginning to the meal.<br><br>For my main, I went with the vegan Beyond Meat burger, and it exceeded expectations. The patty was thick, juicy, and generous — definitely not one of those tiny, stingy versions you find elsewhere. Truly one of the best vegan burgers in NYC.<br><br>To finish, I tried the Tahini Buttermilk Panna Cotta, a dessert that’s light, subtly sweet, and beautifully balanced. A lovely way to end the evening.<br><br>Essex Restaurant impressed me with its flavors, portions, and warm ambience. Highly recommend! 🤎✨