Black Owned jewel in the heart of downtown Poughkeepsie. Essie's is a vibe for the culture, with new soulful recipes like Jerk Ribs, grits croquettes with garlic aioli (which is one of my favorite things) and crispy plantains. Essie remains one of my favorite brunchin' spots in Poughkeepsie, with specialty drinks like Rum Punch, to the owner being a wonderful person at times working behind the bar, Essie's is a unique, eclectic, soul food experience. read more

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Outstanding dinner experience...the service was wonderful and the food was exceptional in flavor. menu items were thoughtfully crafted. We cleaned our plates and paid a very reasonable bill. I'd definitely come back here if I lived here....highly recommend! read more

Just had the most delicious brunch frittata at Essie's. Everything was perfect - from the delicious mimosa, plantain "sharers" and best frittata I've had in a very long time! Highly recommend this wonderful gem! read more

What a fantastic little gem in Poughkeepsie NY! We came here for brunch and had a splendid time. We got a same day reservation for a table for four, which was super convenient (glad we did!). Our server was incredibly friendly and knowledgable, we absolutely loved her! We ordered the ribs and jambalaya croquettes to start, which were both so so tasty! Their brunch dishes were simple, yet delicious in every way. The chef truly knows what he is doing, as the food is so fresh with bold flavors. We will definitely be back here, highly recommend for a great meal! read more

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It has been quite some time since I've written thorough reviews on Yelp but Essie's was so underwhelming that I could not go without explaining how disappointing dinner turned out to be tonight. At first, I was excited to try this place out since it had great reviews on Yelp and the menu looked exciting. My family and I are from out of town and wanted to dine out so we searched for a place with great reviews that served comfort food on the snowy day. As soon as we walked in, we were excited to enjoy the restaurant. It looked like a cozy and quaint place to enjoy dinner but we were quickly met with disappointment. We ordered Jerked Ribs which were so wrongly over-spiced that it was difficult to finish. In fact, we had to return one of the two orders. I will admit that the meat was satisfactory, fall-off-the-bone, but the spices were so overwhelming and not in a good way. It seemed like there was an overabundance of anise? Whatever it was, it was too overbearing and IMO the sauce needs work. Next, we ordered a Kale Cesar salad that was so bland, geez. I'll start by questioning their use of tuscan kale and then asking why there was cashews, tomatoes and cucumber? Hey, Chef, is this what you know a Cesar salad to be? Moving on.... After a 30+ minute wait for dinner, my father finally received his "ramen." First off, why are you serving ramen on this menu? It sounds like a very odd soup to serve given the other items on your menu, but whatever. If it was good, I wouldn't have questioned it but because it wasn't, I'd like to know your thought process. This "ramen" was basically all noodles, vegetables and almost no broth. It was about 1.5 cups of noodles topped with some veggies and only 1/3 cup of broth. Are you seriously calling this a soup? Perhaps, I made the mistake of confusing what you wrote on your menu as "ramen" to just be a plate of bagged noodles with veggies versus a soup. Next, my boyfriend ordered Chicken and Waffles which is supposed to be the house speciality. I'll admit that the chicken was well fried but out of the 3 pieces of chicken he received, he only had a few bites of actual chicken meat. The dish he received was essentially all breading. Really?The overall meal was so so so disappointing that I can't believe the reviews are high and that the chef supposedly has been recognized as being a good chef. It is disappointing to have this type of establishment nearby a well-known cooking landmark (CIA). Finally, I was reluctant to bring up the service we received as I understand this is a small town and the service isn't the same as I'd received in NYC but I cannot get passed how bad of an experience my family and I had. It is clear to me that the server must not be happy with his job and perhaps the owner/chef is barking down his staff's throat to reduce his costs on things. For example, when I asked for extra napkins or asked for more syrup (after only being given 2-3 tablespoons of syrup, the server looked at us in panic and/or disbelief and proceeded to provide us with these things at a minimal level. Really uncomfortable and unpleasant. Perhaps it is my high expectation as a big-city diner which led me to write this long review or perhaps the reality is that Essie can only succeed in a small area because one thing is for sure, Essie would be chewed up and spit right out in NYC. read more

The food is absolutely amazing. The service on the day we went was absolutely abysmal. Both the waitstaff and the kitchen is woefully understaffed. It took about 20 minutes to get our order in. Another 20 to get our drinks. Another 20 to get our appetizers (this is a full hour after we arrived). Then about 15 minutes after the appetizers arrived our waitress announced there are no grits left for the shrimp and grits.. Which we ordered well over an hour ago. There was only one server for the entire restaurant. She was clearly busting her butt, but she could not keep up. I sense the same thing was happening in the kitchen, due to how long it took for our ticket to even be looked at before they could tell us they didn't have the ingredients for it. That being said, it's the most delicious food I've had in years. Beet nachos? Epic. That's something I never thought I'd say about BEETS. The grit croquettes? Omg. Jerk ribs? Ridiculous. I really hope they are able to staff up appropriately soon otherwise I cannot come back. Maybe it was an off day? read more

Awesome food and drinks! Such a cute place for a great meal in Poughkeepsie. Our favorites have been the ribs and steak!

Two for lunch after Walk on the Hudson. Our table inside is sticky and the service is really really slow - waited 15 minutes just for water and it looks to me like the workers are just standing around other than one young lady doing all the work. Watching the other tables and it's painful to watch. Too few helping. Then finally for us (almost left).... Service. Soda available but no diet? Going for bottle beer. Ordered the frittata and crispy chicken. Nearly 25 minutes from walking in, still waiting for the beer and the table next to us still waiting for drinks and they were here before us. Comical to watch one person do all the work. 40 minutes mark. No food yet, but beer came. Astounding. 45 minutes and none of the tables have food yet. 50 minutes. Here it comes. Bring your own condiments. If u ask for ketchup thats another 10 minutes. Food was good. The table next to us is still waiting. Thanks to Kayla the only server 4 stars for her. read more

Essie's Restaurant - New American Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

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If you're looking to excite and elevate your palate you need to get to Essie's. Chef Brandon Walker is a true culinary talent in the Hudson Valley (besides being a super nice person). He treated us to an incredible celebration last night. We had cocktails served up with hors douvres of tostones, beef empanadas, roasted root veggie tacos, and grit croquettes. This was followed by an incredible tasting menu with wine pairing that fused the flavors of the American south and Africa with local and seasonal ingredients. Wow! He did all this while being incredibly thoughtful of taking into account members of our party who are dairy free, gluten free and pescatarian. Truly spectacular. Give him a call for your next special event or better yet just get there for a delicious meal. read more

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We really enjoyed dining here. It was not very busy on a weekend night so a good time to go. The service was great, and the food was excellent. Specifically, I loved everything braised and grilled. The ribs are delicious. I found this place to be quite pricey, but that is the only downside. read more

Essie's Restaurant - Jerk ribs!! - New American Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

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What a find! Lovely inside, we were there for Sunday brunch. Everything was great but the reason to go is the jerk ribs. Cooked to perfection and heavy with delicious meat (and luscious fat) just falling off the bone and packed thick with jerk spice crust. Just the best. And they were very nice as well! read more

I read that the difference between a good restaurant and a great restaurant is: When you leave a good restaurant you might say "That was good." When you leave a great restaurant you may likely say: "The world is great!" I now add that when I leave a restaurant thinking: "I'm sorry I spent that much money," it is not good. I left Essie's last night thinking: I regret spending $67 for that meal. And that I should have resisted the urge to dine out at a bookmarked eatery after attending a lecture at Vassar and just gone home. I had high hopes for Essie's based on its theme of fresh, seasonal and its stellar Yelp reviews. And the menu was focused and limited, which I find generally portends a focused high-standards kitchen. There's steak, there's pasta, there's pork, and a fish of the day. The romaine-chicory wedge salad arrived leaving the chicory behind in the kitchen somewhere, and no one apparently remembered to add olive oil to balance out the vinegar. The romaine core leaves were as tasty as iceberg with a bunch o' small stuff sprinkled on top. It did not blend. It was not delicious. And it was $13. The fish of the day -- sea bass -- at a pricey $36 was also disappointing. It had some good ideas, but I find when the diner is intellectually parsing out specific aspects of a dish and not thinking "mmm, this is delicious!" the dish is not a success. The fish sat atop some rubbery but tasty mushrooms and tiny Brussels sprouts which I enjoyed. The fish half and half: some tasting "fishy" like it was old. A brown butter sauce any competent home cook can make. And then . . . SWEET plantains?? That was a big flavor bomb, and did not a musical chord make. Also I found it was not sufficiently seasoned and I had to ask for salt. There was no shaker and the salt arrived on request in a bowl with 1/3 cup kosher salt with a mini-spoon. Kind of a big production. You know what else was a big production? The bread service table side! Bread basket production for . . . white Italian bread?? Please! Such a presentation is generally reserved for when there is a selection of fine in-house baked bread. Since there was no selection it was hollow show to cart over a bread basket and plate it at the table with tongs. I'm also peeved to be schnuckered into buying a $3.50 bottle of water. I wish that instead of asking quickly: sparkling or still water? They asked: do you want tap water or do you want to pay x dollars for a lovely blue bottle of plain water? I would always choose tap, unless I particularly wanted seltzer/mineral water. I couldn't get the two items I initially ordered -- grilled octopus and hangar steak -- because after asking for food allergies, the waitress came back and said both had uncooked-off alcohol. I suggested the steak sauce be deglazed with stock, but was then told it was pre-made. One other thing: The reception was not welcoming. I was greeted not with a "hello" but "Do you have a reservation?" Huh? Not a welcome, but a hint I might be thrown out? (I was dressed well and showered, so that wasn't it, I reckon.) On a Thursday night with only one table filled?? That was off-putting. All that to say I didn't like it. I'm sorry to rate it only two stars but hey, I'm not a Michelin reviewer! I'm just a Yelper. Sorry Essie's grandson. I applaud and like your concept, just not the execution last eve. It's a standard-fare pleasant exposed brick, blackboard wall, setting which we have come to regard as usual in the newfangled eateries. read more

Essie's Restaurant - Dinner late Oct 2018 - New American Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

Excellent food and service. Great memories! I will return! I loved the Brussels Sprouts!

Had dinner at Essie's Restaurant on Friday night. A very solid meal that displayed why Chef Walker's inventive cuisine has a lot of buzz. Quality: Our dinner at Essie's Restaurant started with the delightful Grit Croquettes. I was a little concerned that the texture would be too mushy, but they came out great. Next out were the Jerk Ribs, my least favorite item of the night. It was certainly not the flavor of the ribs, the glaze was excellent, but the ribs were too tough. The MGG, which was a mix of mushrooms, cheddar-scallion grits, collard greens, and bacon is an odd small plate, but provided the best bite of the meal. Each element included was rich, delicious, and melty. The execution was perfect. Finally, for our main, we went with the tasty Braised Pork Shank. Tender meat, good flavor, and served on a nice medley of collard greens, sweet potato, parsnip, and jus. Quantity: Good sized portions of hearty dishes that fill you up. Value: $8 for the Grit Croquettes. $12 for the Jerk Ribs. $15 for the MGG. $27 for the Braised Pork Shank. Ambiance: Essie's Restaurant is located near Downtown Poughkeepsie. The restaurant usually has a small outdoor area covered patio, but with COVID, they extended it into the road with a small white tent. Inside, the space is quaint and simple, with just a few tables and a bar in the back corner. They have many modern stylistic elements, and leave the walls relatively bare. In the background was a mix of R&B. Crowd: Reservations are necessary for dinner, as the limited capacity restrictions keep every table filled. Service: Not sure if it is because of the size of the kitchen, but the pacing of the meal was extremely slow. I was also a little surprised at the lack of familiarity our waitress had with the menu, considering the small number of dishes. Parking: Small parking lot one block away and limited street parking. read more

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We really enjoyed the food. A party of four, we ordered seven different dishes to share. Everything was good. The ribs were a big hit. The crabcake special was a nice surprise. Unfortunately, we won't be going back. The inadequate service may not be the fault of management. Our entire area suffers from a labor shortage - there are Help Wanted signs in every window. But even if the staffing problem were solved, there is no easy solution for the noise. There were only a dozen or so patrons altogether, and the noise was deafening. When the child started screaming, it was excruciating. It's really too bad - Chef Walker's cuisine deserves a better showcase. read more

My mom and I stoped by after walking the pedestrian bridge. They got pretty good reviews online and the menu sounded interesting. We were greeted and seated immediately, which was nice. They seemed to be playing all Lauryn Hill, which I will never complain about, but it seemed like it was literally her discography. However, the table was sticky, which was kinda gross. We were told the specials. We ordered cornbread to share. My mom got the crab cakes Benedict, and I opted for the steak and eggs. Was later told it wasn't available, which sucked. I ended up getting the Frittata instead. The Valley Plum Cocktail was very good, and very strong. Keep that in mind if you need to drive home lol. The corn bread came after about 15 minutes. I was very thrown off by the texture of the cornbread, which was made with Jimmy Red Corn. It was grainier, and the "vanilla" butter it came with was about 85% lemon, 14% regular butter, and 1% vanilla. I didn't think it went with the cornbread, tbh. The food came almost immediately after. My mom absolutely loved her crab cakes and wouldn't stop raving about it. I thought the Frittata was pretty good too, although it could've used some salt. Thank god we split checks, because the crab cakes were 36 dollars! That honestly took us completely by surprise, so be prepared to spend some money in this place. Overall, it was a bit underwhelming but still had some definite highlights. I would come back at a different time to experience their dinner menu, as the brunch menu was kind of limiting. read more

I'm a huge chicken and waffle fan, so when we happened upon the place by accident (we missed our exit) we decided to check it out. I was NOT disappointed! The chicken was crispy outside and very moist inside and the waffles melted in my mouth. The good food aside, it was the rum punch I throughly enjoyed. So much so, we took them to go! I'm rarely in Poughkeepsie, however will recommend this place to everyone visiting. read more

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Service issues abound. Was (rather curtly) told on the phone that I had to provide a credit card to make a reservation. Then informed that there would be a $25 per person fee if I cancelled after 7:00 pm the night before. It was already 7:15 on the night before. Service at restaurant spotty. No iced tea. Ordered cheeseburgers which were brought to table with no cheese. This was corrected with no apology offered. Requested some hot sauce and told they didn't have any. In the end, two cheeseburgers and a soda came to $55 because we were charged the "burger and beer" price of 27 each vs 22. I really want Essies to succeed but they need to offer service appropriate to the price level. PS- burger was fair at best..... read more

First time to Essie's, travelled from nearby county to celebrate sin's 32nd birthday. The food was superb. Croquettes of sausage, shrimp , peppers with garlic aioli were delicious appetizers for the table. main course was grits and shrimp which was perfection. Jerk chicken cooked to perfection. Even our teenager found foods to love, and the birthday celebration was a hit. Don't miss this gem! read more

The food was delicious. The croquetes, chicken n waffles, burger and salmon special were all very good. Only reason its 4/5 is the food took a little while but it was worth the wait forsure! read more

This place does it right. Amazing food, make sure you try the grit croquettes... I could eat those all day. The owner/chef stopped by every table to connect with guests. Great idea, and I felt good when I left. Don't be afraid if the brunch, it looks like a slimmed down menu, but it is all of the good stuff, not just the easy stuff. read more

Essie's Restaurant - New American Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

If you're in Poughkeepsie, do not miss Essie's. Seriously, this place is everything you want in nice night out: a warm yet intimate environment, exciting menu, good vibes, great food, and excellent people. We dined during the pandemic and they have really done everything possible to ensure a safe, comfortable eating experience. I was very impressed. If you have trepidations about dining out, this is the place to go! The tables are widely spaced, the menus are contactless, and you order and pay via your cellphone. The experience was seamless, easy, and very socially distant. To me, Essie's has set the standard for a safer dining experience during these unprecedented times. You can tell (and taste) that Chef Walker really cares about the food he produces. Don't miss the grit croquettes. They're absolutely to die for. If we weren't so full from the fried chicken dinner (which was SO worth it) we would have totally re-ordered them for dessert. Also, the cocktail list was a highlight for us. It is thoughtful and exciting. The Sorrell rum punch was excellent. Overall, we enjoyed our experience immensely and will absolutely return next time we're in town. read more

We came in at 1pm on Sat when they only offered the brunch menu. We ordered the bison burger medium and the short rib hash. Both are very tasty so we enjoyed the meal. read more

Great food, solid service and as good a vibe as you can get during this pandemic. Food was a real treat, and again, they observed the strict Dining regs that NY State currently rocks... And it was (still) Delish! We'll be back! read more

Consistently elevated & mouth watering meals with great service. The atmosphere is relaxed and private, never loud or overcrowded. It's perfect for a date night or for a ladies night. I've also hosted birthday events here and with a large quantity of orders, the flavor and consistency were spot on unlike many other restaurants. Highly recommend. read more

What a treat! We had a large lunch so we enjoyed a lighter dinner. We starting with true jerked lardons.

Food is not great, we tried the plantains 3/10. It was like the plantains were old. Tried the beef empanadas 2/10. The empanadas were burnt and the sweet sauce didn't go with it. Tried the Flank Streak and it had a sweet sauce that killed the dish. 2/10. The Shrimp and grits was the only thing okay. 5/10. The Wait time for food after you order is about is 2-3 hours. If you have a large group gratuity is included and then the service is terrible b/c tip is already included. Big mistake if you try this place. Lesson learned. read more

Impeccable. We came in with no reservations and were politely offered seats at the bar. The experience was all uphill from there. The attentive bartender described all the dishes to us and smiled gleefully after every bite we took...and they were some of the best bites we have had the opportunity of taking. The chef is a graduate of the impressive local Culinary Institute of America. His menu was minimal but with enough diversity to meet any desires. We had the grilled roots and cheese plate (locally sourced) to start. My mouth is still watering the day after. The grilled bass was softly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The pork shoulder melted in our mouths. The deconstructed cheesecake was not only cool looking, but was perfectly light. The knowledgeable and friendly staff topped off this whole experience to make it a memorable, delightful and so delicious. We will definitely make a special trip out there again to try the grilled that was on everyone's tables. read more

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Showed up with reservations. Owner lost his mind and yelled at us. They messed up the reservation or something, wasn't our fault. All we did was show up. Then when when another one from our party showed up late, he yelled at her too. So there's us trying to support a small business. We left with our big party and the Millhouse Brewery took us with no problem. Highly recommend the Millhouse. read more

Could have been so much better: Service 2/5; Food 2/5 and 4/5; Value 2/5 A cute little place that was brimming with activity when we went on a recent Sunday. We were immediately greeted and sat at a table in the window for 2. A server soon came over and asked what we would like to drink. I ordered a bloody Mary and my wife, saying she needed a hot drink to warm up on a cold day, ordered a chamomile tea. After 20 minutes, my bloody Mary arrived (delicious, but little or no alcohol) and we were told they didn't have chamomile tea, so my wife ordered Earl Grey. Really? 20 minutes to be told they don't have a certain kind of tea? Then another 10 minutes to get the Earl Grey. My wife had the chicken and waffles which she said were wonderful: chicken was moist and tender. I tried one of her waffles and it was delicious. My short rib hash arrived with a wonderful scrambled egg on top but underneath there was little sign of the short rib hash. I had expected a meaty, delicious hash mixed together with potatoes, onions and more. Instead there were maybe 5-6 tiny pieces of short rib, few potatoes and a lot of kale in a broth. A far cry from what I had expected. The dish should have been called 'no-short rib BROTH hash.' I like my eggs with salt and pepper but had to get up and ask again when it didn't arrive after the first request. Questioned our server about the scarcity of the short ribs and was told that if I wanted, they would remove it from the bill (which I should have done) but I asked that they actually give me more short rib hash. Another portion was brought but with the same result: little meat. I should have taken the deduction from the bill. Don't think I will return. read more

Let me tell you...I discovered such a gem in Poughkeepsie NY! While visiting from Atlanta..we stumbled upon Essies, an intimate restaurant near the Walkway over the river and not too far from the train station. We visited on a Sunday and enjoyed brunch, complete with bottomless Mimosas (always a plus). They totally accommodated our spontaneous group of 15 which included multiple children. The food was amazing! (Try the scallion grits) and we even got a chance to meet the owner/chef who was professionally personable. In a city of chain restaurants and the occasional diner, Essies was a delightful surprise that I hope you have a chance to experience for yourself. read more

Essie's Restaurant - New American Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

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The best fried chicken I have ever had. Period. I have traveled all over the US and tried many, many different types of fried chicken and nothing compares. Perfectly crispy and the FLAVOR WAS AMAZING. Who knew, best fried chicken resides in Poughkeepsie, NY. read more

Came here based on fellow yelpers, and I was definitely not disappointed. When you come and dine inside it has a chill vibe, and I would recommend having a reservation prior to dining in. We decided to order the Jerk Ribs for appetizer, I really liked the way the wings were seasoned and marinaded. The ribs were spicy but had a strong pepper taste to it, would recommend getting those if you like spicy. For entree I ordered the belgian waffles with sunny side up eggs and bacon on the side. Everything tasted perfectly and it did take a while for it come, but I'm okay with it as long as its made fresh. Overall great experience dining here, will be back here again. read more

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Premise made meals. Great quality. Parking can be slim on certain days and time. Not sure about Handicap parking, call for guidance.

Chef Brandon and his team are absolutely visionary. In September 2019, they hosted our rehearsal dinner and everything about it was so right. The drinks were refreshing, well balanced, and strong when you needed them to be; the food was decadent, delightful, creative, and comforting. We were served multiple courses and each course not only stood on its own, but complemented each other in a way that was cohesive, and elevated universally loved meals to a place that excited and surprised everyone's palettes (and kept us going back for more!). We were fortunate enough to have the entire restaurant to ourselves. The privacy coupled with the warm and well appointed decor created an ambiance and level of intimacy that most would dream of for a rehearsal dinner setting. The staff was exceedingly attentive to our needs and made our guests feel welcomed and cared for. We are so grateful that we found Essie's and Chef Brandon. Having our rehearsal dinner here really made our wedding weekend not only feel like an event, but the start of a magical experience. read more

Wow, this place! We dropped in for lunch on Sunday. The brunch menu was available but trust me, you'd wanna return to try the dinner menu too if you saw it. First, the owner/chef was manning the restaurant solo. He took orders, poured drinks, made cocktails, cooked, served, billed & bussed tables. We had jambalaya croquettes to start. One dropped on the floor. They were so delicious I was tempted to pick it up off the floor and eat it. We had a frittata, chicken & waffles & the chicken sandwich. The syrup was warm and vanilla centric. The hand cut fries tasted like he slightly seasoned them w salt & vinegar. The coffee was rich and yummy. It's been 4 days since we stopped in and I've thought about that meal every day. Go! read more

Delicious food, good ambiance. Pricey but worth it. Even at max capacity, it won't feel overcrowded. During warm weather there's outdoor seating too. read more

Essie's is a casual fine-dining restaurant offering New American cuisine with a dash of the South thrown in. Case in point, my Grit Croquettes appetizer, cheesy grits deep-fried and served with a garlic aioli....there was a little bit of Lowcountry in every bite. Every dish that came out was beautifully plated and equally beautiful in flavor. If you're a lamb person, order the Tunisian Rack of Lamb. If you're a pasta person, order the Vegetable Puttanesca. But don't overlook the specials of the day! Ashley the bartender and Carlos our server were both very friendly, professional and accommodating. Whether you choose to dine inside with the rustic-modern ambiance or al fresco on the front patio, you'll be in good hands and leave with a happy belly! read more

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Brandon is an amazing chef! Everything is fantastic. I look forward to returning. You must check out this charming restaurant.

Everything we ate at Essie's was delicious, including that cheesecake option for dessert Food seemed freshly made upon order which mean some wait time but no complaints here. Staff was friendly, chef stopped by to say thank you, a nice touch and reminder of why we should support small businesses. Dining room is beautiful, music volume perfect, all around amazing place for a date night dinner. read more