The Essex — Restaurant in Old Saybrook

I can not speak highly enough of our experience at the Essex. We had the chefs large tasting menu with paired wines and everything was exquisite. The chef came out to explain a few courses and simply check on us ( and the other tables) throughout the evening. The beet fusilli pasta with lobster was amazing, as was the shortrib with foie gras sauce. We simply couldn't pass up the Manhattan they offer and don't recommend you do either. We will be going back without question. It was so good we forgot to take pictures, which is the best sign this day in age.

EDIT 1/17/19 I finally had a chance to go back to the Essex after a full year, and as you may have guessed they have not faulted in their philosophy of culinary excellence one bit. Our waiter Pete was attentive, knowledgeable and accommodating. We started with a round of cocktails that knocked it out off the park. As a non gin drinks I honestly was a but apprehensive to order one that featured it as a main spirit- I am glad I did! Their bartender did an absolutely fantastic job of raising the accents of the spirit and growing it into something different altogether! As a four top we went a bit overboard ordering a series of appetizers before the tasting menu with an added course of a shared Beef Wellington. The food was as fantastic as our last visit so I will refrain from gushing over it to much. Some high lights were the Duck Breast, Scallop, Peking duck ramen (from the main menu), but the Foie Gras parfait absolutely stole the show. The Sous Chef came over to deliver a course which was a very nice touch to be able to interact with the person responsible for such a wonderful dining experience. Do yourself a favor and make a visit, you don't be...

I invited my friend for dinner with high expectations as my first experience there was awesome. We were very disappointed. The cocktail was undrinkable - I don’t think in 30+ years of ordering drinks I ever had to send back a drink! The real issue was the 38 dollar lobster en croute that was a soupy dish covered by the same pastry dome as the clam chowder, so not a lobster in puff pastry… seasoning was bland but the main issue was the 90% morel Mushrooms and 10% lobster meat… the entire dish an unmitigated disaster. In my many many nights of eating out I have never registered a complaint but thought it was the right thing to do here rather than ambush them with a bad review out of nowhere. However, the waiter had nothing to say when we shared our disappointment with the dish.they did comp our desserts which they did not mention and we hadn’t asked for, they just didn’t show up on the bill. I would rather have had an apology or substitute for the bad dish they served. Along with the bad food there was a service experience not up to the price level: plates being cleared while one party was still eating, no refill of water and so on. I sooo wanted to love The Essex since there are not many great places to eat on the Shoreline and hope they can clean...

I am writing to share with you an exceptional culinary experience that I recently had. Trust me, you don't want to wait for a special occasion to indulge in this extraordinary dining experience.

The food at The Essex is nothing short of amazing. From the moment you step foot in the restaurant, you are greeted with an ambiance that sets the perfect tone for a memorable meal. The attentive staff, the elegant decor, and the tantalizing aroma coming from the kitchen all contribute to an unforgettable dining experience.

But let's talk about the food itself. Every dish I tried was an absolute delight. The flavors were expertly balanced, and each bite was a burst of culinary perfection. From the appetizers to the main courses, and of course, the decadent desserts, every dish was prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail.

I highly recommend making a reservation and going as soon as possible. Don't wait for a special occasion, because every meal at this establishment is an occasion in itself. You deserve to treat yourself to this exceptional culinary journey.

I hope you take my recommendation to heart and have the opportunity to experience this outstanding culinary adventure. Trust me, you won't be...