Esca Restaurant

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402 W 43rd St
New York, NY 10036

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(212) 564-7272
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Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Esca Restaurant - New York, NY
Reviews
( 37 )
( 47 )
( 20 )
( 16 )
( 34 )

Best

If you go for nothing else have a drink and the crudo tasting. Its delicious and so satisfying. I also enjoyed a pasta with crab and sea urchin wich was great too. Dessert wasn't ...

Worst

I was very disappointed with Esca. The food, while solid, was unspectacular and the pricing was outrageous. As a first course, I had linguine with clams, prosciutto and red pepper...

Quintessential Understatement! 2/4/2003

Esca surrounds you with honest, intense, simplicity that focuses on freshness rather than meticulously sculpted presentation. I'm one of the most demanding people I know when it comes to food and service in a restaurant but I must say that I was blown away by the expert and cordial service, the inventiveness of the menu, and the beauty of the room. Batali seems to be one of the few Italian chefs in this town that understands that Italian cooking is much more than, ""99 ways to cook a tomato"". Highlights: Anything off of the ""Crudo"" menu; deep but not overwhelming Italian wine list; marvelous whole roasted fish for two. Pros: Great Food, Magnificent Service, Great for pre-theater more
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Quintessential Understatement! 2/4/2003

Esca surrounds you with honest, intense, simplicity that focuses on freshness rather than meticulously sculpted presentation. I'm one of the most demanding people I know when it comes to food and service in a restaurant but I must say that I was blown away by the expert and cordial service, the inventiveness of the menu, and the beauty of the room. Batali seems to be one of the few Italian chefs in this town that understands that Italian cooking is much more than, ""99 ways to cook a tomato"". Highlights: Anything off of the ""Crudo"" menu; deep but not overwhelming Italian wine list; marvelous whole roasted fish for two. Pros: Great Food, Magnificent Service, Great for pre-theater more
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Simple and elegant 1/20/2003

I recently went to Esca for lunch and was very satisfied. The salt crusted whole sea bass was moist, simple and delicious. Perfectly baked and deftly prepared by our servers. The service was impeccable...we never were in want of anything and barely even noticed their presence. more
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Simple and elegant 1/20/2003

I recently went to Esca for lunch and was very satisfied. The salt crusted whole sea bass was moist, simple and delicious. Perfectly baked and deftly prepared by our servers. The service was impeccable...we never were in want of anything and barely even noticed their presence. more
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very fine 1/15/2003

Service was good and the fish appetizer sequence (starts with a wonderful oyster) was not tbe beaten. All food was excellent. Whoever is running this place should be hired to help out on all fronts with Babbo. more
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very fine 1/15/2003

Service was good and the fish appetizer sequence (starts with a wonderful oyster) was not tbe beaten. All food was excellent. Whoever is running this place should be hired to help out on all fronts with Babbo. more
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a great experience 12/9/2002

Fnally tried Esca with a group of six before the theater. We were not disappointed. Service was top notch and so was the food. Be sure to try the a la carte vegetable assortment with the meal. Also enjoyed the italian digestiv and Turkish press coffee. The group agreed, though a bit pricey a memorable experience. Pros: turkish press coffee, great seafood Cons: average ambience more
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a great experience 12/9/2002

Fnally tried Esca with a group of six before the theater. We were not disappointed. Service was top notch and so was the food. Be sure to try the a la carte vegetable assortment with the meal. Also enjoyed the italian digestiv and Turkish press coffee. The group agreed, though a bit pricey a memorable experience. Pros: turkish press coffee, great seafood Cons: average ambience more
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DON'T GO! 11/22/2002

Rude service, so-so food that was too complex for its own good, boring decor. Maybe a drink at the bar at best. Pros: Bar Cons: everything else more
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DON'T GO! 11/22/2002

Rude service, so-so food that was too complex for its own good, boring decor. Maybe a drink at the bar at best. Pros: Bar Cons: everything else more
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Perfection in a Bottle 11/18/2002

There are no words to describe the experience my wife and I had at Esca. The waitors were skilled & attentive. The taste from the anchovie salad was like an explosion in my mouth. The pasta with walnut pesto & fresh sea scallops was perfectly al dente. Try the swordfish. We left the restaurant wanting to cry because we knew we'd never have a meal like that again. Mario B, my wife wants to have your baby. Thumbs way up! Pros: explosion of flavor, exceptional service, fantastic bread Cons: small portions, pricey drinks, music could be better more
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Perfection in a Bottle 11/18/2002

There are no words to describe the experience my wife and I had at Esca. The waitors were skilled & attentive. The taste from the anchovie salad was like an explosion in my mouth. The pasta with walnut pesto & fresh sea scallops was perfectly al dente. Try the swordfish. We left the restaurant wanting to cry because we knew we'd never have a meal like that again. Mario B, my wife wants to have your baby. Thumbs way up! Pros: explosion of flavor, exceptional service, fantastic bread Cons: small portions, pricey drinks, music could be better more
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fantastic fish 11/7/2002

best seafood in ny. better than babbo. this is real italian food. more
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fantastic fish 11/7/2002

best seafood in ny. better than babbo. this is real italian food. more
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Table for One 10/31/2002

In town on business, I was dining alone. Instead of waiting for a table, I decided to eat at the bar. The bartenders made me feel welcome and my service was courteous and prompt. A great experience overall. Pros: convenient, friendly staff Cons: crowded more
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Table for One 10/31/2002

In town on business, I was dining alone. Instead of waiting for a table, I decided to eat at the bar. The bartenders made me feel welcome and my service was courteous and prompt. A great experience overall. Pros: convenient, friendly staff Cons: crowded more
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Esca-lated prices 10/8/2002

I dined at Esca, thinking that it would be as good as Mario Batali's Lupa and Babbo--big disappointment. The food was average at best and way over-priced.Nothing special here. By the way, Esca in Italian means bait--Is Chef Batali suggesting what the food is good for? Pros: prompt seating, very good service Cons: very pricey, not a good food value more
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Esca-lated prices 10/8/2002

I dined at Esca, thinking that it would be as good as Mario Batali's Lupa and Babbo--big disappointment. The food was average at best and way over-priced.Nothing special here. By the way, Esca in Italian means bait--Is Chef Batali suggesting what the food is good for? Pros: prompt seating, very good service Cons: very pricey, not a good food value more
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tasting menu and wine pairings 9/26/2002

Tried the taster's menu again with the wine pairings - the toro was incredible, almost like filet mignon in its many presentations. Three of the four wines were pleasent, nothing to scream about but the fourth one was rich, robust and a perfect match with the toro. Went by myself so I had to eat at the bar with about 10 other single people - which turned out to be really enjoyable. I'll be back next month being that the menu changes daily. Pros: excellent olive oil, fresh raw bar more
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tasting menu and wine pairings 9/26/2002

Tried the taster's menu again with the wine pairings - the toro was incredible, almost like filet mignon in its many presentations. Three of the four wines were pleasent, nothing to scream about but the fourth one was rich, robust and a perfect match with the toro. Went by myself so I had to eat at the bar with about 10 other single people - which turned out to be really enjoyable. I'll be back next month being that the menu changes daily. Pros: excellent olive oil, fresh raw bar more
Reply | Report abuse |
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Menu for Esca Restaurant


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    In an unassuming urban cul-de-sac barely removed from the Broadway fray, Mario Batali, partner Joe Bastianich and chef David Pasternack work their practiced magic. Inside, a...

  • 10/11/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon noon-2:30 pm, 5-10:30 pm, Tues-Sat noon-2:30 pm, 5-11:30 pm, Sun 4:30-10:30 pm
  • Payments: American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown
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