Esca

4.1 (4417)

$30 and under

Italian

402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

About this restaurant

Innovative
Romantic
Good for special occasions

Esca is a Southern Italian Seafood Restaurant created by Joseph Bastianich & David Pasternack. Esca showcases the style and sensibility of Italian coastal cooking. Dave went to Italy and saw firsthand what they were talking about. After years of cooking French food, Dave had finally found the food he had always wanted to cook: the best fish available, prepared in a simple and delicious way. In Italy, that means the local catch. In New York, that means the best fish of the Pacific, Mediterranean & our own backyard.

At Esca, you can eat the most sought-after Pacific Ocean delicacies along side fluke that Dave caught on his day off. The menu changes daily and is driven by the fish markets of the world & the farms of Dave’s friends. Esca is the place where you can have stunning raw fish, an incredible bowl of pasta and then a Mediterranean Branzino cooked in sea salt. Esca is the best of Italian coastal cooking with access to the world’s greatest fish.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood
Hours of operation
Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 12:00pm - 2:30pm Dinner: Monday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Tuesday - Thursday: 4:30pm to 10pm Saturday: 4:30pm - 11:30pm Sunday: 4:30pm - 10:00pm
Website
http://www.esca-nyc.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
David Pasternack
Private party facilities
ESCA’s intimate and elegant dining room offers a lovely, quiet experience amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City’s Theatre District. All menus are based on fresh, seasonal ingredients (in other words, whatever Chef Dave Pasternack catches that morning).

Location
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
Neighborhood
Hell's Kitchen
Cross street
9th Avenue
Parking details
None
Public transit
Subway to 42nd Street - Times Square
Additional
Beer, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine

American Red Snapper$23.00
With House Made Meyer Lemon Oil
Fluke$23.00
With Sea Beans and Radish
Scorpionfish$23.00
With Sorrel
Diver Scallops$24.00
With Tangerine Pressed Olive Oil
Hake$23.00
Sea Salt from Amagansett
Hidden Fjord Salmon$23.00
With Arugula Wasabi
Icelandic Arctic Char$23.00
With Fiddlehead Pickles
Pumpkin Swordfish$21.00
With Crushed Almonds
Bigeye Tuna$23.00
Carpaccio with Olio Verde and Chives
Spanish Mackerel$23.00
With Sicilian Dried Cherry Tomato
Razor Clams$24.00
Two Minute Ceviche with Chilis, Scallion and Mint
Crudo Tasting$30.00
Six Unique Tastes of Our Raw Seafood

Antipasti

Asparagi Bianchi$25.00
Jumbo Whole Asparagus with Louisiana Crawfish, Miner's Lettuce and Wild Ramp Vinagrette
Bianchetti$19.00
"French Fries of The Sea"
Coda Di Rospo$20.00
Corn Meal Crushed Blowfish Tails with Caper Tarragon Aioli
Fegato Di Pescatrice$22.00
Seared Monkfish Liver "Foie Gras of The Sea" with a Salad of Fava Beans, Spring Peas, Organic Grains, 25 Year Balsamic
Calamari Alla Galicia$22.00
Local Squid, Pimenton and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Mozzarella Di Bufala$23.00
Buffalo Milk Mozzarella with Grilled Ramps and Country Bread
Moleche$22.00
Grilled Soft Shell Crab with Asparagus and Herb Garden Vinagrette
Polipo$19.00
Grilled Octopus with Giant Corona Beans and Preserved Sorrento Lemon
Carciofi$20.00
Salad of Marinated Artichokes, Sheep's Milk Cheese, and Wild Arugula
Fritti$19.00
Crispy Rainbow Smelts, Steamers, with Caper-Taragon Aioli
Moscardino$20.00
Grilled Baby Octopus with Roasted Cipollni and Bitter Fall Greens
Verdura Mista$18.00
Organic Salad of Fall Vegetables, Sheep's Milk Ricotta and Herb Garden Vinaigrette
Verdi Di Primavera$18.00
Salad of Fall Greens and Aged Merlot Vinaigrette
Insalata Mista$20.00
Organic Mixed Baby Lettuces with Radishes and Pistachio Pressed Olive Oil
Vongole$19.00
Local Littleneck Clams Bakes with Nueske's Bacon, Local Apples, and Ritz Crackers
Zuppa di Pesce Amalfitana$17.00
Fish Soup in the Style of Amalfi with Tomato Chili Bruschetta
Pesce Azzurri
$9 each, $12 two, $15 three, $18 all four: House Marinated Sardines with Peperonata; House Marinated Fresh Anchovies with Oven Dried Tomato Grilled Sardines with Shallot Thyme Vinaigrette; Bottarga Di Tonno (Cured Tuna Roe) with Capers, Raisins and Pine Nuts

Primi

Spaghetti$32.00
With One Pound Lobster, Chilis and Mint
Maccheroni Alla Chitarra$32.00
House Made Guitar Cut Spaghetti with Sea Urchin and Crab Meat
Linguine$26.00
With a Medley of Briny Clams, Hot Red Pepper and Pancetta
Ravioli Di Caprino$27.00
House Made Sheep's Milk Ricotta Ravioli with a Nettle Almond Pesto
Rigatoni$30.00
House Made Pasta Tubes with a "Seafood Extravaganza", Fire Roasted Artichokes and Neoploitan Cherry Tomatoes
Spaghetti Neri$26.00
Squid ink Spaghetti with Seppia, Green Chilis, and Scallion
Gnocchi di Ricotta$27.00
Old Chatham Sheep's milk Ricotta Gnocchi with a Sauce of Pumpkin, Calabrain Chili, and Buffalo Mozzarella

Secondi

Branzino Per Due o Tre o Quattro$32.00
Whole Mediterranean Sea Bass for Two, Three, or Four Cooked in Sea Salt
Rombo Per Uno, Due, Tre$41.00
Whole Grilled North Atlantic Turbot for One, Two, or Three with Mixed Olives and Caperberries
Lanzardo$39.00
Whole Grilled Boston Mackerel with Salsa Verde
Dentice$39.00
Grilled American Red Snapper with a Spring Vegetable Medley
Tonno$40.00
Bigeye Tuna with Artichokes, Sicilian Almonds, and Wasabi Arugula
Capesante$40.00
Pan Roasted Montauk Sea Scallop with a Ragu of Fresh Garbanzo Beans, Roasted Radish and Wild Arugula
Zuppa Di Pesce$35.00
Sicilian style Fish Stew
Fritto Misto Amalfitano$35.00
Crispy Mixed Seafood
Pollo$34.00
Four Story Hills Farm Chicken, Primo Olives, Fregula and Lemon
Contorni
Selection of Italian style vegetables any one $9. any three $15, all five $19

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Esca.

4.1

(4417)

4.2Food
4.2Service
4.0Ambience
1.2Value

Noise • Moderate

4,417 Reviews

SE
SerleE
New York City1 review
1.0
Dined on May 4, 2019
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The clam ceviche tasted as brine minimally spiced. The haddock was most likely old and frozen and tasted bland with slight ammonia taste to it. Several entrées were not available because the restaurant was to close for renovations the next day.
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n
none Gold
New York City15 reviews
2.0
Dined on May 1, 2019
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
The worst service I ever experienced
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OT
OpenTable Diner Gold
Dubai18 reviews
3.0
Dined on April 29, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Servizio molto buono il personale super gentile e premuroso. Unica pecca io mio fritto misto, dove un pesce aveva un forte odore e sapore di ammoniaca!!! L’ho fatto notare e molto gentilmente mi hanno proposto un piatto alternativo e alla fine della cena non me lo sono trovata nel conto. Ho assaggiato i piatti degli altri tre commensali che erano molto buoni.
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s
suledo
New York City17 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 28, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Excellent fish restaurant with an Italian flair west of Times Square. Has always been a stand out and the Crudo is a must.
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T
Tdoc Gold
New York City14 reviews
3.0
Dined on April 28, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Appetizers were mediocre at best. Mains were terrific. Wine, while very good, was way overpriced with a markup of 5x retail.
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j
jmf2 Gold
Los Angeles167 reviews
3.0
Dined on April 27, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Best for post theatre as pre-theatre is crowded , noisy and rushed
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C
Coppertop Gold
New York City87 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 27, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Extended family I clouding an elder. A smidge rushed to take plates away even though we were not on way to show. Noise level pretty good for restaurants these days. Wine list prices greatly inflated.
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S
mickS
San Francisco1 review
5.0
Dined on April 27, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great selection of fish. Roasted fennel a pleasant surprise.
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JJ
JoJo
Greater Boston15 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 23, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
We were recently visiting New York and had not dined at Esca in over 10 years. Our memory was that it was one of our favorite restaurants in New York. Overall we had an enjoyable evening but the place is showing its years. The outside looked quite run down as we approached and inside it did not have the sparkle we remembered. Our table was nice, the noise was moderate and the service was wonderful. Our food was delicious but not exceptional. The tuna crudo was fabulous with just the perfect amount of salt and oil. The gnocchi were perfect little pillows of perfection. The Branzino for two was simple but moist and delicate. The roasted fennel had a nice flavor but unfortunately it was mushy. We enjoyed the almond cake dessert with mascarpone ice cream as a perfect ending. Even though Esca has lost its luster the food and service was good enough to bring us back in the future.
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EB
EdgardoB
Chicago6 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 21, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We went in a group of 7. We were well greeted. After an adequate initial explanation the waiter described the menu. Then, the very knowledgeable sommelier helped with the outstanding italian wine list and recommended two excellent reds from Sicily and Tuscany which were excellent. It took very long for the waiter to take the orders, the appetisers came timely but the second courses took forever. That´s why I didn´t rated wit 5 stars. In sum excellent food and wine list with average table service (excluding the sommelier).
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood
Hours of operation
Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 12:00pm - 2:30pm Dinner: Monday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Tuesday - Thursday: 4:30pm to 10pm Saturday: 4:30pm - 11:30pm Sunday: 4:30pm - 10:00pm
Website
http://www.esca-nyc.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
David Pasternack
Private party facilities
ESCA’s intimate and elegant dining room offers a lovely, quiet experience amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City’s Theatre District. All menus are based on fresh, seasonal ingredients (in other words, whatever Chef Dave Pasternack catches that morning).

Location
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
Neighborhood
Hell's Kitchen
Cross street
9th Avenue
Parking details
None
Public transit
Subway to 42nd Street - Times Square
Additional
Beer, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Esca

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Ostriche

Montauk Wild Oysters$3.00

Raspberry Point Oysters$3.00

Crudo

American Red Snapper$23.00

Fluke$23.00

Scorpionfish$23.00

Diver Scallops$24.00

Hake$23.00

Hidden Fjord Salmon$23.00

Icelandic Arctic Char$23.00

Pumpkin Swordfish$21.00

Bigeye Tuna$23.00

Spanish Mackerel$23.00

Razor Clams$24.00

Crudo Tasting$30.00

Antipasti

Asparagi Bianchi$25.00

Bianchetti$19.00

Coda Di Rospo$20.00

Fegato Di Pescatrice$22.00

Calamari Alla Galicia$22.00

Mozzarella Di Bufala$23.00

Moleche$22.00

Polipo$19.00

Carciofi$20.00

Fritti$19.00

Moscardino$20.00

Verdura Mista$18.00

Verdi Di Primavera$18.00

Insalata Mista$20.00

Vongole$19.00

Zuppa di Pesce Amalfitana$17.00

Pesce Azzurri

Primi

Spaghetti$32.00

Maccheroni Alla Chitarra$32.00

Linguine$26.00

Ravioli Di Caprino$27.00

Rigatoni$30.00

Spaghetti Neri$26.00

Gnocchi di Ricotta$27.00

Secondi

Branzino Per Due o Tre o Quattro$32.00

Rombo Per Uno, Due, Tre$41.00

Lanzardo$39.00

Dentice$39.00

Tonno$40.00

Capesante$40.00

Zuppa Di Pesce$35.00

Fritto Misto Amalfitano$35.00

Pollo$34.00

Contorni

Additional information

Not available on OpenTable