The Essex

I've been twice so far and both times were lovely. First time was for the French food and wine pairing which was incredible. Second time we sat at the "counter" and opted for the seven course tasting with wine pairing. Each course was better than the last. Ryan and the all guys in the kitchen provided incredible plates, descriptions, and experience while Mike gave us great service and wine pairings. Will definitely be back to try the new winter menu. Thank you for a great night!

My husband and I had dinner here for our 18th wedding anniversary. Service was top notch as was the quality of food. We opted for the 5 course meal and we weren't disappointed. Succulent raw oysters were deliciously briny but not overpowering. The Amuse (Cantaloupe and Kumquat Gazpacho) was an interesting soup. Slight tang but also had what seemed like a meaty finish. The canapes were fun, with tuna tartar on a cucumber with seaweed salad, octopus balls (spicy!), and a charcuterie pastry. I loved all the players but my top two were the Maine Blue Fin Toro on crispy rice and the Razorback Clam Risotto. Everything was fresh and of high quality. The parking lot is quite small so if you have an SUV or oversized vehicle, it will be tight for you. There is; however, additional parking on the street. You absolutely need to have a reservation ahead of time! This is an experience so plan on being here for 2 hours dining if opting for either the 5 or 7 course tasting menu. Also of note when doing the tasting menu, everyone at the table must participate and there no substitutions.

We had an incredible experience at the Essex. We went with the extended 7 course tasting menu and it blew us away. Every ingredient of each bite was intentional and purposeful. The drinks menu was also excellent. We had too many favorites, including the Amuse (lobster bisque starter), the steak wagu, canape service, and foi gras just to make a few! Chef Colt has created an experience comparable to any of the top 10 restaurants we've been to world wide. We were sitting there remembering the best restaurant experiences we've had in NYC, Boston and Barcelona! Well done! Definitely going back and looking forward to their new restaurant in Branford.

Phenomenal food and great staff. The Essex is a breath of fresh air in the local restaurant scene, with a great vibe for more casual happy hour bites and drinks or a full-on fine dining experience at The Hearth. New and creative dishes daily made with fresh ingredients from local farms, top-shelf dry aged cuts and unique drinks with hand squeezed juices and infused spirits. Colt and the rest of the staff have done a really great job from top to bottom. Keep up the good work!

This restaurant was the best surprise I've had in a dining experience. They have something for everyone. First they change their menu every 3 months. Spending 3 months creating the menu. Currently their menu is Brazilian. The traditional Brazilian foods were amazing. The chef does an outstanding job of taking traditional food and putting a twist on it to make it his own. From what i noticed, the chef did a great job of stopping by and seeing all the guests. After a quick conversation with him, it was apparent he took great pride in his work and he had tons of passion for food. The chicken stew had more flavor than could be processed in one bite. And the chef did an amazing job at tying everything together. We tried his feijoada and it was honestly one of the best things I've ever tasted. The spirits list was extensive. And had quite a wide range every spirit imaginable. Definitely amazing new restaurant that is a must try. If you're willing to step out of your comfort zone you will definitely be rewarded with amazing meal that you would have never seen coming!

We’re from NYC and have an appreciation for fine dining and this place exceeded our high expectations. John, mike and Ryan let us close down the restaurant - excellent service. The food was delicious (highlights were the tagliatelle, short rib and prime rib). Drinks were also on point. The whole vibe was excellent, too - the open kitchen concept showed off how much fun the chefs were having. Will be back when we return to old Lyme!

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 disappointed.

First time at a chefs table and it was really quite the experience. Loved the wellington and really amazing service!

Small place but well worth it. You have a choice of doing the tasting menu's or ordering from the regular menu. We opted for the regular menu. The watermelon and tomato salad was incredible. Next was the wagyu strip steak. To die for! By the way, thats where we get our wagyu from too. I really liked how chef came out and greeted the tables as well. For a 300 plus dinner, way worth it.

I rarely write reviews but this was one of the most memorable meals i’ve ever had. Such an incredible gem on the CT shoreline - we did the 5 course tasting menu which not only offered an incredible culinary journey with some of the best bites ive ever had, but also was such a friendly and inviting atmosphere with 5 star service. Its an open kitchen so we got to learn from and get to know the chefs preparing our meals which was such a treat. All in all couldnt be happier and will recommend this to all friends, family and beyond. We’ll also be back next week!

Quaint, personable staff & relaxing atmosphere all culminated with amazing food! We had the 5 course chef's tasting, each course was absolutely delicious. Our next visit we plan to sit at the bar to watch the chef's at work.

We had the pleasure of dining at The Essex Restaurant with friends & were delighted yet again with the creativity of the exotic ingredients. The venison pineapple dish was most delectable- What an amazing combination !!! Our server, Peter, was excellent & the atmosphere was cozy & inviting. This is one of our favorite special occasion places !!

If Connecticut had a Michelin guide, this place would have a star, if not 3. I’ve been to many great restaurants, capped off by Addison in San Diego, - 3 Star Michelin restaurant, and The Essex honestly may have had better food. This is the best food in Connecticut, hands down. Get the 7-Course tasting and sit at the tasting table/bar. An amazing experience. The amuse alone was the best amuse I’ve ever had. If you’re driving down the 95 to any of the many restaurants in and around Mystic, don’t waste your time and stop at The Essex. If I had known the menu changes so much (87 times in the last 2 years), I’d have taken a picture of everything. Truly an amazing experience and a perfect way for my wife to spend her birthday. There were even bonus courses and they accommodated our need to speed up the 7-course meal!!! Thanks Colt.

This is one of the top restaurants I've eaten in in the past five years. Outstanding food. Incredibly knowledgeable and friendly service. Creative and well executed cocktails. Our favorites: hamachi, foie gras, green salad with goat cheese, salmon poke. Deserts and bread very very good. Go eat at this restaurant it is a treasure.

Outstanding!!! First time here and after reading all the reviews we totally agree! A small restaurant with maybe 10 tables and must have reservations also to sit n eat at the bar! I was so pleased with my wife’s pick for celebrating her birthday! We definitely will go back!!! Our server Ryan was wonderful!!

Beyond expectations! Magnifique 🌹Even to vegetarians...Magnifique!! Do not let the menu fool you if you are vegan/vegetarian...The chef is excited to design a meal around your taste buds. His King Oyster mushrooms could have passed for scallops 🤔😛. Service was above par, atmosphere the same. Cocktails were Amazing & the Albarino we had with the meal...delicious!! We drive an hour and a half to visit Essex. The Essex will now be our go to place!♥️ i meant to share a pic before i began eating the entree but forgot in my excited frenzy 🥳

Enjoy a tasting menu paired with wine at this charming restaurant by Chef Colt Taylor. The menu is local and sesonal. There's also a sister restauarant where you can get tacos and tequila. Great food and wonderful service. There's a fireplace to make you feel cozy. They will make you feel at home.

We had a fantastic meal at The Essex. The salad was fresh and indulgent. The lobster was perfect and a very generous portion. The Basque cheesecake was impressively flat and light! The only disappoint and surprise I had was the unethical animal products on the menu (foie gras, wagyu beef). I expect high quality, ethical ingredient sourcing from a restaurant like this and hope they reconsider in the future.

Date night with the wife: Had the chef’s 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings! Have to say, the best dining experience we have had on the Shoreline! We have had numerous fine dining experiences in some of the best restaurants in NYC and other places and surprisingly, the Essex ranks up there! The poke course, which I thought would be my least favorite and not something I would ever order, turned out to be my favorite dish! The chefs and wait staff were highly attentive! When I commented to one of the chefs how good the frites looked, he served a side for both of us along with two other bonus courses! Simply a great two hour culinary experience! Can’t say enough good things and looking forward to return visits with our kids and with friends!

What a great local spot! We sat at the chefs table and had a great a la carte meal (5 and 7 course tasting available). Staff and owner were so friendly…can’t wait to get back!

Wonderful French cuisine and a great experience. If you're ever in the area definitely check it out!!

A friend and I had dinner at The Essex last night and we couldn’t have been more pleased. I had one of the best old fashions I’ve ever had and then I had two appetizer portions the first being the seared scallops The scallops and the sauce that they were served in were absolutely fabulous. Next, I had a noodle thing and I had been warned that it was spicy. I like spice, but this was really, really spicy, so much so that I didn’t quite finish it but if you like really hot go for it. My friend had this swordfish steak and again it was absolutely fabulous For dessert. we shared a Pavlova and I will say that was the only disappointment of the evening and we didn’t finish iit. Our server , Rebecca was delightful, and well informed , but I think she could’ve used a little bit of help because at times, service was just a little bit slow but not really enough to complain about. All in all. I would highly recommend this restaurant and I would go back there in a heartbeat.

Chef Colt’s culinary knowledge and skills are off the charts. Someone entirely motivated to inspire with dishes. Share small plates with friends. This is a pure gem.

Upon walking in and being greeted with a beautiful smile started the evening off perfectly! Sitting at the “chefs tasting table” was a fabulous experience! Watching the great and respectful interactions amongst chef, sous chef and everyone else is a delight! The food( you ask?) AMAZING!!! There wasn’t a course that wasn’t delicious! And every night changes, very cool! Highly recommend! Very satisfying and filling! Should be “Michelin rated”

Outstanding chef’s tasting. Beautiful progression, spot-on pairings, and gracious service. A memorable night for my fiancée and me!

Amazing atmosphere, the entire staff was extremely warm and welcoming. Would definitely make the 1hour drive to come back! Highly recommend the Chef's tasting menu absolutely breathtaking!

The most impressive restaurants I have dined at in Connecticut. Hands down! Everything you want in a premium dining experience, they absolutely nail. The best service, the wonderful free extras in bread, salads and bites, the menus are fantastic and it feels like such a special place to dine. Yes it’s expensive - but this time you get what you are paying for! This is the dining experience anyone would be lucky to enjoy - if Michelin had critics in CT then The Essex would be at the top of their list to review. It is that good.

This is a great place to dine for a date night or occasion. We celebrated our anniversary here and we were extremely impressed. The ambience is wonderful, reminiscent of a speakeasy and 5 star restaurant at the same time. The service was superb, Peter being our server. He was personable and quite enjoyable to converse with. The food itself was unreal. Everything was top notch, with the chef Colt checking on us personally to ensure we were having a positive experience. The cocktails were also very well crafted with a great selection. Overall would highly recommend and we will be back soon!

Just had the best experience ever. We did their special valentine's Chef Tasting Menu to try something new and it was fantastic. Every single thing served in the 9 course experience made my taste buds do a line dance. The service was incredible, as soon as we got done with a plate, our table was cleared and we were onto the next course within a minute flat! Halfway through the meal the owner/chef came out and introduced himself as well, very down to earth and professional. He clearly knows what he's doing. Will absolutely be back. I literally do not have a single negative thing to say about this place.

Came for our anniversary dinner and it was amazing. Despite us running 10 minutes late for our reservations the staff was more than happy to accommodate. We had the 7 course tasting menu and a round of oysters, the food was to die for. Our server was phenomenal. We will be back, we have finally found our go to restaurant since moving to Connecticut.

Great food over all. Cocktail sauce was almost frozen would be the only real complaint. There is definitely something on the menu for everyone. Service was well above average, friendly and didn't have a hesitation to let us know the menu is brand new and he was still learning the entire thing. Atmosphere was awesome. For being a small place it definitely felt huge at the same time. Definitely going back in the summer and checking out the outside seating.

Loved this place! Came into town for a few nights with my husband and we got so lucky dining here. Some of the dishes were so unexpected - in a great way. We got 3 apps - the beets, beef carpaccio and oysters - all stellar. And the beef wellington is not to be missed it was CHEFS KISS. For dessert we had the chocolate bar - so decadent and DO NOT SLEEP ON THE PAVLOVA - whatever was under it - a spiced pear and parsnip custard? was BOMB. We sat at the bar - bartender was great and the Chef/Owner brought our dishes out and was so nice. I wish we had more places like this in Fairfield County.

The most amazing experience in awhile and we eat out 3 times a week. Came from the beach all day and wanted good seafood. Went to Livs (which we like) but couldn't take us. I had heard about The Essex and figured we'd try it, although the menu looked a little fancy. But boy were we happy. The hostess, the bartender and the owner were all so nice to talk to, the fluke (bone in) was simply amazing and my wife got the sea bass and said it was the best she ever had. Scallop appetizer, 2 drinks and 2 wonderful seafood dinners, $180 with tip. Such a great experience, and don't get scared by the eclectic menu, just ask if you don't know what something is. Can't wait to go back

The decor is outstanding, the drinks are fantastic, especially the Manhattans. Happy hour drink and food specials from 4:30 - 6:00pm. We had the happy hour tacos specials. My wife is a vegetarian and they made her a special veggie tacos and I had fish and chicken. Nice experience.

Delicious food It’s a very small restaurant with congested sittings. Price is high. We went there for dinner on Friday at 6. Reservation is must. We had Chicken, Steak, Lobster & Beet Fusilli, Clam Chowder. Food was delicious, it took a while to get the food but we didn’t mind as we were not in hurry. The service was very good.

We enjoyed this restaurant, went with the family and all had a great time. The staff was very accommodating even gave is a table earlier than the opening time. This is the kind of things that makes people go back to it. We had different types of food and liked them all. My wife and me had ramen and the kids had quesadillas and tacos, all tasted fresh and delicious. Will go back.

Very disappointing experience. After reading all reviews, I was expecting much more from this place. Great atmosphere and design, but food and cocktails were disappointing. It is very interesting to watch food preparation at the open kitchen, but for a price we paid and taste of food , not impressed! Some of the dishes were returned as we could not eat it. Not recommending and coming back.

First timer here. The atmosphere and service were better than the food. My bill came out to over $300 for 2 people. At that price, I shouldn't be swiping at flies indoors. Solve your pest and HVAC issues and you might reach mediocre.

The food and tastes were good, but my steak tasted like charcoal without the sauce. And it doesn’t help that I ordered it medium and the minute I cut into it, there was no pink. They cut it in half beforehand when plating it and the ends had pink. Those tasted great. Everything else tasted like a tender, but too charred steak drenched in taffy sauce. Quite disappointing considering the price and the fact that most of the other food was actually good. Don’t order the steak as it seems they can’t cook a 60 steak correctly

Overall my experience to say the least was not what I was hoping for. The service was good and I did like the atmosphere of the place but the food was my main problem. My appetizers were good but when I ordered the beef Wellington I was severely enraged. I was barely even able to cut through the meat and almost choked on multiple pieces. My dad had the exact same problems with his and couldn’t even eat a lot of it because of the toughness of the beef. Overall they are charging way to much for what your getting and I will never be going here again. I loved the owners which I why it pains me to write such a bad review but It was a severely disappointing experience.