4 Days in New York City - 9/8 - 9/11

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4

Day 1 - Esca - 9/8/13

ESCA means "bait" in Italian and is a Southern Italian Seafood Restaurant created by Mario Batali, Joseph Bastianich & David Pasternack.

 Esca showcases the style & sensibility of Italian coastal cooking.  The motto at Eaca is the use the best fish available, prepared in a simple & delicious way. In Italy that means the local catch, but in New York that means the best fish of the Pacific, Mediterranean & our own backyard.

The menu changes daily & is driven by the fish markets of the world & the farms of Dave’s friends.  Esca is the best of Italian coastal cooking with access to the world’s greatest fish.

2013 Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City

 

Some people call it "spaghetti sauce," others call it "gravy," but when we enjoy well-made Italian food, we don't hesitate to mop up the extra sauce with some bread rather than let it go to waste. You can't always tell which restaurants are making fresh pasta, or their own tiramisu, by looking at the red tablecloths and white napkins. Whether you're craving a simple plate of spaghetti and meatballs, or an osso buco that melts in your mouth, here are our choices for the Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York, presented in alphabetical order. Mangia!


Read more at http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-newyork-ny-top10-italianrestaurants_5_1ny.html#HpbAMB5F7uTQFkiI.99

2013 Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City

 

Some people call it "spaghetti sauce," others call it "gravy," but when we enjoy well-made Italian food, we don't hesitate to mop up the extra sauce with some bread rather than let it go to waste. You can't always tell which restaurants are making fresh pasta, or their own tiramisu, by looking at the red tablecloths and white napkins. Whether you're craving a simple plate of spaghetti and meatballs, or an osso buco that melts in your mouth, here are our choices for the Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York, presented in alphabetical order. Mangia!


Read more at http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-newyork-ny-top10-italianrestaurants_5_1ny.html#HpbAMB5F7uTQFkiI.99

2013 Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City

 

Some people call it "spaghetti sauce," others call it "gravy," but when we enjoy well-made Italian food, we don't hesitate to mop up the extra sauce with some bread rather than let it go to waste. You can't always tell which restaurants are making fresh pasta, or their own tiramisu, by looking at the red tablecloths and white napkins. Whether you're craving a simple plate of spaghetti and meatballs, or an osso buco that melts in your mouth, here are our choices for the Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York, presented in alphabetical order. Mangia!


Read more at http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-newyork-ny-top10-italianrestaurants_5_1ny.html#HpbAMB5F7uTQFkiI.99

2013 Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City
Read more at http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-newyork-ny-top10-italianrestaurants_5_1ny.html#HpbAMB5F7uTQFkiI.99
2013 Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City
Read more at http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-newyork-ny-top10-italianrestaurants_5_1ny.html#HpbAMB5F7uTQFkiI.99
Some people call it "spaghetti sauce," others call it "gravy," but when we enjoy well-made Italian food, we don't hesitate to mop up the extra sauce with some bread rather than let it go to waste. You can't always tell which restaurants are making fresh pasta, or their own tiramisu, by looking at the red tablecloths and white napkins. Whether you're craving a simple plate of spaghetti and meatballs, or an osso buco that melts in your mouth, here are our choices for the Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York, presented in alphabetical order. Mangia!
Read more at http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-newyork-ny-top10-italianrestaurants_5_1ny.html#HpbAMB5F7uTQFkiI.99

 Gayot listed Esca in their 2013 Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City

The Gayot Guide discusses restaurants deemed in the top 40 in the United States. They have been touted as an alternative to the Michelin Guide.  Reviews discuss décor, service, ambience and wine lists although these topics do not affect a restaurant's overall score.

 

2013 Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York City
Read more at http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/best-newyork-ny-top10-italianrestaurants_5_1ny.html#HpbAMB5F7uTQFkiI.99

 

This is the side of the restaurant.

Checking in with the hostess.

There are two dinning rooms.  This dinning is the main one, much larger than the 2nd dinning room, with lemony walls and chocolate color upholstery and wooden chairs.

We were seated in the 2nd room located far left (not seen in this picture).

The bar is really small and can accommodate maybe 4 people max.

This is 2nd dinning room closest to the bar.  The room is smaller but it is very cozy.

Hoa looking at the cocktail menu.

 

Our waiter started us off with a pair of amuses bouches: a bowl of marinated olives and white beans on toast.

 

The menu

After looking at the menu Hoa and I we decided to go with the tasting menu and the five extra crudo tasting supplement.

 

Hoa wanted to start with a cocktail and our waiter recommended the Milano cocktail.

Milano is a mixture of  gin, Galliano herbal liqueur (A sweet, yellow, Italian herbal-flavored liqueur made with hints of anise, licorice and vanilla, as well as other herbs and spices) and lemon juice.

 

After a few sips Hoa did not like the cocktail at all.  Told him to stick to Gin and tonic!

Next.. Tasting menu

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