The Essex

Review summary

1. G

   Greg

   New York City

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 14 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was the best meal I have had all year. To put that in contest I have enjoyed meals at very highly rated restaurants in NYC, Boston, San Diego, Cape Cod, as well as all over Connecticut. The food could not have been more delicious. Our waiter was phenomenal. I will be back and more than once. I will next try you Branford location as it is closer to home. Thank you for a wonderful dining experience.
   

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2. R

   Ray

   VIP

   New York City

   17 reviews

   5.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on 13 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Attentive service. Top notch food. Beautiful restaurant with chill music.
   

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3. S

   Susan

   Greater Boston

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 12 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our dinner with friends at The Essex was beyond expectations. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and well paced. We opted for the three course price fixe and were pleasantly surprised by the appetizer course we were served before the salad course. At $79 per person the dinner was very reasonably priced for the quality and quantity. Our first and main courses were outstanding. My strip steak perfectly cooked to medium rare and the whole table enjoyed the frites. The halibut and scallops along with the sauces and vegetables were excellent. Dessert choices were very generous although I hit my limit after a few bites of the baked Alaska. The menu was heavy on seafood which restricted our friend who has a fish and shellfish allergy. But once aware of that and a nut allergy, every dish was carefully adjusted for nuts. Dining at the Essex is a wonderful treat. We will be back.
   

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4. J

   John

   New York City

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Nice atmosphere, a little tight and got noisy like being in a pub. Menu is pricey but interesting. Is it worth the money? Maybe once, judge for yourself.
   

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5. P

   Paul

   New York City

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 4 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Absolutely incredible meal start to finish. Inventive takes on old standards, plus some totally new concepts. Sometimes we had no idea exactly what we were eating, since exact descriptions are hard to put on a menu. But every bite turned out to be a beyond-delicious surprise. $79 prix fixe is steep for Old Saybrook, but I'm not sure how they could pull this off for less given ingredients and attention to detail.
   

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6. K

   Kimberly

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   229 reviews

   4.0

   229 reviews

   Dined on 3 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We were there the first night of the brand new menu. We had an excellent meal overall however the french fries that came with the steak were greasy and only tasted like the oil of the fryer. Foie “psicle” was interesting. A little bit heavy on the onion flavor, but would do it again.  There were only a few tables, so not a great time to judge the overall noise level of the restaurant. Service was excellent. Definitely will go back. 
   

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7. W

   Weston

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 23 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We had the 7 course chef’s experience with wine pairing. Absolutely outstanding! The first course was unbelievably delicious. Yet somehow each course got even better. Wine selection was beautifully paired. Waiter was attentive and very helpful with descriptions. Loved our experience.
   

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8. A

   Andrea

   Greater Boston

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on 21 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food and service experience at The Essex is amazing. Always above and beyond. Bartender Dylan is the best! We love the entire experience!
   

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9. B

   Brian

   VIP

   Atlantic City

   11 reviews

   5.0

   11 reviews

   Dined on 16 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a wonderful night celebrating my wife’s birthday. The food, service and atmosphere were terrific. Loved it!
   

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10. r

    robin

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Our absolute favorite place to dine on the shoreline. We are never disappointed. Dylan is fabulous. He always makes our experience the best . And I love that I have my corner seats every time!
    

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