The Essex Brasserie

The Essex Brasserie reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. D

   Diane VIP

   Greater Boston30 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 1 day ago

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

   We were practically alone on a Saturday evening during prime dinner hour (7 ish), and wondered where everyone was. It was our second time here, and although the first experience was great (last fall), this one left something to be desired. The food was good, though not spectacular. Our waitress was wonderful, accommodating and attentive. We asked that the music be turned down - it was loud and not particularly enjoyable to listen to, and though the waitress said she’d ask, it was never turned down, which made our evening a little more frustrating than it needed to be. We may or may not return; we may give it another try in case they were having a ‘off’ night, but won’t be anytime soon.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. P

   Patty

   New York City1 review

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   we had a really nice meal – the food was outstanding… It was very relaxing nice evening and will definitely be back!
   

   Is this helpful?

3. E

   Ed VIP

   New York City31 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Food is inventive, and delicious. Christina our server was great!
   

   Is this helpful?

4. L

   Lori VIP

   Minneapolis39 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 5 days ago

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

   I will first say that the service, drinks, salad and French onion soup were great! HOWEVER, the entrees were all terrible! Two of us ordered the steak frites. A thin piece of steak that looked grey in color. Fries were marginal and not hot. Beef Wellington was ordered medium rare but came medium well. My mussels came with no broth in the bottom, so no flavor. Very disappointing. Chris, our server was great and sent over the manager. He handled it well, offering to take the steak dishes off the check. Each entree was around $50 so didn’t want the restaurant to take such a big hit. Settled on a gift certificate to come back and try again. We will try again(because of the gift certificate). Hopefully they will get it together. Their restaurant in Old Saybrook is great. Not sure what’s going on with this one. We will go back and order soup and salad.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. J

   James VIP

   New York City42 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on April 5, 2025

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

   Really wanted to love this place; they clearly invested in the physical space and we want to support a local small business. Unfortunately, it was awful. The food was bland, the service was slow and there was little communication, and we waited well over an hour for our entrees. The only explanation we received was that they had a new chef and he was hit with " a bunch of tickets" all at once. OK, well, delays happen. But, since the food was not good, paying the bill was painful because we paid for a meal that was terrible.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. K

   Kelley

   Connecticut3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 5, 2025

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

   Food and service was great. Nate our server was attentive. I had the chicken Milanese and my husband had the shrimp pasta. Both were delicious. We will be back!
   

   Is this helpful?

7. R

   Richard VIP

   New York City13 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on April 3, 2025

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

   Beef Wellington was disappointing beef was not tender or tasty. Lamb Shank was good. The shrimp with Angel Hair was average.
   

   Is this helpful?

8. C

   Courtney

   Orlando4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 29, 2025

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

   The food and service was excellent. The beef Wellington was cooked perfectly medium rare as ordered and the fish melted in your mouth. Perfectly seasoned food and excellent presentation. The menu is quite pricy but that’s expected at a higher end French restaurant. Will definitely return.
   

   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

9. M

   Mark VIP

   Greater Boston8 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on March 29, 2025

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

   Very nice place with several shortcomings. Both the menu and the wine list are a bit limited. The food on our prior visit was superb; this time a notch lower. My veal shank was mediocre. The service is superior.
   

   1 person found this helpful

10. f

    fred VIP

    New York City4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 29, 2025

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

    Main courses, halibut and beef Wellington, were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Excellent, interested service. Very good value.
    

    Is this helpful?