Another creation of chef/television icon/restaurant baron Mario Batali (along with partner Joseph Bastianich and chef David Pasternack), Esca is fundamentally a fish restaurant focused on coastal Italian-style preparation. The calling card of this theater-district favorite, opened in 2000, is the freshest fish available - "the most sought after Pacific Ocean delicacies alongside fluke that Dave caught on his day off," boasts Esca's website. The culinary theme extends to the wine list, which is exclusively Italian. (But if you're looking for Chianti or pinot grigio, you'll be
senza fortuna.) And the constantly changing menu includes
crudo, Italian for raw fish, which is available for whole-table tastings of two flights per person. If an anti-piscine diner somehow passes through the doors, there are always the gnocchi with wild mushrooms, ravioli with braised baby lamb or the roasted local wild duck with lentils and balsamic cippoline. "In summer, it's hard to beat the flower-planted patio."
-
Newsday"Mario Batali's southern seafood restaurant has earned a place right up there with all his other gold-standard endeavors."
-
The Village Voice"I lived outside New York and didn't eat at Esca when it opened in 2000 and received two stars in
The Times from William Grimes. But I've dropped by over the last three years and especially the last two months. And in my experience, it just keeps getting better."
- Frank Bruni,
The New York Times, April 18, 2007
"The whole fish for two, roasted in a sea-salt crust that's cracked tableside, is a riveting performance worthy of the theater-district locale."
-
New York magazine
James Beard Foundation: 2004 Best Chef, NYC: David Pasternack
The New York Times: *** (excellent)
New York magazine: *** (generally excellent); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2013: 25 food rating (very good to excellent)
Time Out New York:
Critics' Pick
The Village Voice:
Critics' Pick Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon-Sat, dinner nightly.
ADDRESS
402 W 43rd St,
(bet 9th and 10th Aves) ,
New York, NY 10036
LOCALEATS AWARDS
Top 100 Restaurant
WHAT WE SAY
Another creation of chef/television icon/restaurant baron Mario Batali (along with partner Joseph Bastianich and chef David Pasternack), Esca is fundamentally a fish restaurant focused on coastal Italian-style preparation. The calling card of this theater-district favorite, opened in 2000, is the freshest fish available - "the most sought after Pacific Ocean delicacies alongside fluke that Dave caught on his day off," boasts Esca's website. The culinary theme extends to the wine list, which is exclusively Italian. (But if you're looking for Chianti or pinot grigio, you'll be
senza fortuna.) And the constantly changing menu includes
crudo, Italian for raw fish, which is available for whole-table tastings of two flights per person. If an anti-piscine diner somehow passes through the doors, there are always the gnocchi with wild mushrooms, ravioli with braised baby lamb or the roasted local wild duck with lentils and balsamic cippoline.
WHAT THEY SAY
"In summer, it's hard to beat the flower-planted patio."
-
Newsday"Mario Batali's southern seafood restaurant has earned a place right up there with all his other gold-standard endeavors."
-
The Village Voice"I lived outside New York and didn't eat at Esca when it opened in 2000 and received two stars in
The Times from William Grimes. But I've dropped by over the last three years and especially the last two months. And in my experience, it just keeps getting better."
- Frank Bruni,
The New York Times, April 18, 2007
"The whole fish for two, roasted in a sea-salt crust that's cracked tableside, is a riveting performance worthy of the theater-district locale."
-
New York magazine
James Beard Foundation: 2004 Best Chef, NYC: David Pasternack
The New York Times: *** (excellent)
New York magazine: *** (generally excellent); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2013: 25 food rating (very good to excellent)
Time Out New York:
Critics' Pick
The Village Voice:
Critics' Pick
ADDITIONAL INFO
Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon-Sat, dinner nightly.