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This place is literally a restaurant inside a club. We didn't even sit down, it was incredibly noisy, and obnoxious. Trotted as the "it" brunch place, for the free drinks (so many places have free drinks!) I couldn't imagine staying inside another moment.

I recently visited Essex for brunch ($18 for an entree and 3 Mimosas/Bloody Marys/Screwdrivers). My friend and I arrived around 11 AM and the place wasn't too packed, but they said we could either wait 20 minutes or sit at the bar. We opted for the bar, where we received unpleasant service. The bartender was very unfriendly, was slow to serve drinks, and seemed irritated by our presence. I had the potato pancakes with the hash and apples and I was disappointed. The hash and pancakes were flavorless. The apples were okay. Between the rude service and mediocre food, I see no reason to return to this restaurant. Also, the clientele was annoying. Too many 20-somethings in perfectly ripped $300 jeans and faded "vintage" t-shirts making every attempt to be oh-so-cool. No thanks.

two words = unlimited mimosas. Essex is great for brunch, and by the time you're into your third mimosa you don't really notice the quality of the food. Its a fun scene and definitely worth a visit if you don't mind the crowd on the weekends. Heres a hint - make a reservation and you won't have to wait 3 hours

We had the worst table service at this restaurant. The dinner lasted 2 1/2 hours as we waited what seemed like eternity for our appetizers and entrees. When our appetizer and entree dishes finally came out, 3 out of the 4 plates were cold. What would have been a great meal was ruined. The waitress was unattentive -- she did not provide cutlery for the entree after our first set was taken away. We noticed other tables were also waiting for their food. What was most disappointing was that the waitress and the hostess didn't care after we brought up the issue. The bar area is good if you're just looking for a place for drinks.

this is a fun place, but completely forgettable. sort of a 'last resort' to be honest. the all-you-can-eat mussels are meh at best. i have fun when i go, but i only go when others have already made plans to meet there. food is overpriced for what it is, and the drinks are standard. lots of other cuter and cooler places to try in the area.

The food is just...okay...but the staff there are subpar. I just called to make a reservation for a party, and what I got in return was "Don't worry about it...I don't want you here. This is too much trouble for me." That's how you treat someone who is going to bring 14 people to your restaurant? Really?

Tried Essex for the first time today and i think this might be the worst brunch experience i've had on both coasts. They told us it was an hour wait and 1 hour later told us it would be 30 minutes longer. after 30 minutes we were told it would be an additional 30 minutes. After another 30 minutes we were told our table was wrapping up. It was an additional 30 minutes until our table was ready. Two and 1/2 hours total for a quoted 1 hour wait. the only pro this place has to offer is handing out drink tickets for when they're "running behind" which should be indicative of how commonplace my experience there must be. if you don't mind being lied to and wasting your sat/sun waiting for a brunch spot (the food others were eating looked pretty ordinary... nothing too spectacular to merit the wait) then this might not be a bad choice for you. also - hostesses did not take responsibility for their misquote of estimated time. i will avoid this place like the plague.