Eastern Standard

[phelana]

What do you love at Eastern Standard? We head there for lunch Wed.

[thegirlwholovestoeat]

I usually really enjoy Eastern Standard before a Sox game for lunch/brunch but last night I had such horrible service from Jackson that I left and went to Great Bay where I had an extremely enjoyable meal before the game. I waited for about 10 minutes before he even acknowledged me (granted he was very busy, but I was standing right down by his end of the bar where he was making cocktails the whole time). He finally gave me a nod but did not give me his attention long enough for me to order a drink. The two seats in front of me got up and my friend had just walked in so we made an attempt to sit down. Before we got settled he came over to us and told us that we couldn't sit there because someone was waiting for them. I understand having a list for the bar, but I have been there many times and have never been told I had to put my name in for a seat. He did not offer to put us on the list or to get us a drink while we waited, just simply told us we couldn't sit there and walked away to take care of someone else. I am sure I will go back again, but even though his drinks are great he is just a bit too pretentious for me and I will try to stick with Sundays when he is not working.

[hotoynoodle]

i've been there numerous times when there is a wait list for the bar. it's nicer than hovering over people you *think* might be done and then seagulling their seats.

[twentyoystahs]

Yeah, but I agree with the previous poster that he should've been a bit more hospitable about it. Not everyone has been there numerous times and knows the somewhat unusual drill (i.e that there is a "wait list" for the bar) and if that's the case, he should have told her that, and then a) asked her if she wanted to put her name on the list and b) asked her if he wanted a drink. Or if he was incredibly busy and in the weeds, said to her c) sorry, i'm so busy but i'll be right back to talk with you....

I would have been put off too, no matter how busy the place was.

[hotoynoodle]

brusqueness can be perception. no matter where i was, if i didn't get eye contact, as she claims, for 10 minutes i would have left. however, i have known jackson many years and never seen him be anything other than hospitable.

i don't understand what people's expectations are when a bar is 8 or 10 deep, and they all have to be someplace at the same time.

why people go to a place that they know is going to be a zoo and then complain they don't get served in a timely fashion is beyond me. i'm sorry. i love esk and have known many of the people who work there a long time. i won't get within a mile of it on game days. it's just aggravation waiting to happen.

[Bob Dobalina]

Am I correct that it would be folly to try to grab a quick bite there before Friday's Sox-Yanks opener?

[ginnyhw]

Not if you had a reservation.

[MC Slim JB]

It's a good idea to give yourself plenty of time. They're pretty good about handling the scale of the pre- and post-game crushes, but it's still slower than usual. Getting a drink at the bar is tough, a seat impossible.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Snoop37]

their dessert crepes during brunch are amazing. When I think of great desserts, those crepes are the first thing that come to mind. When I went with my family... we ended up getting three more orders since we kept eating them under a minute.

[ghostcat]

They do have lots of interesting lunch choices, but being in a hurry last Wednesday, I ordered the omelet. It was one of he wors omelets I've had anyplace, dry and unfluffy. I've enjoyed the cod fritters and the mac and cheese before. I love this place, so this is not really a put down, just a suggestion not get an omelet.

[phelana]

Ok what's the deal with the grill cheese?? haa

[pollystyrene]

Leek tart, you say? Sounds good. I haven't come across it. Is it new on the menu, or only on the lunch menu?

[MC Slim JB]

I'm not sure if the leek tart is a newish item, though it's new to me; I definitely had it off the lunch menu.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[cmd]

It's on the dinner menu as an appetizer (or was, a month ago). It's very good, and would be a great lunch with a mixed green salad.

[pollystyrene]

Another vote for the grilled cheese sandwich. For a cocktail, the Blueberry Thrill. For dessert, the strawberry shortcake.

[MC Slim JB]

Charcuterie plate. Salt cod fritters. Frisee salad with poached egg and sweetbread bits. Mac and cheese. Chicken chopped salad. Leek tart.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[hotoynoodle]

ditto the fritters and the frisee salad, which really is a heart attack on a plate.

[MrsCheese]

Love the frisee salad. Heart attack on a plate is right, but so good.

[jgarnache]

I was thinking of heading there tonight for the charcuterie. Is it a good size?

[ScubaSteve]

i've always considered it a pretty good app portion for one.

[hotoynoodle]

i'll get a salad and then that as my main. it must be a billion calories of fat. :)

[jgarnache]

Well I think I am getting that with a side of seared Foie gras app

[heathermb]

I fully respect that!

[Ali G]

The fritters are very good. We were a little bummed that they stopped serving them in the salt cod box. I thought that was a great presentation. Maybe it got expensive or they ran out.

[lergnom]

Chicken schnitzel. It's really, really, really good.

[gyppielou]

mussels

[mvi]

Move the mussels, too.

[viperlush]

And I'll throw in get a side of fries or salad.

[missfoodie]

I'm not a huge fan of this place (I like it, but don't love it as much as it seems others do - maybe I should try them for dinner) but I am a huge fan of their grilled cheese sandwich.

[NiKoLe1625]

they make a great burger. and i love the Salad Nicoise!

[yumyum]

Second the Salad Nicoise -- also the beet root salad is great. The chicken chopped salad is another good lunchy option ... fried chicken breast, chopped and served in a wooden salad bowl with greens, green beans, and an herby dressing.

The burger has it's fans but it's served on Brioche, if that matters to you. My DC's grilled cheese looked awfully good a while ago. The chicken schnitzel is okay.

I love lunch at ESK -- enjoy!

[chezchristine]

I've had the chopped salad too and liked it, but the wooden salad bowl didn't work when they put large pieces of chicken i(shouldn't it be chopped?!?) in there that you have to cut with a fork and knife. The bowl they use isn't stable enough and was wobbly unless you cut very gently - just a little pet peeve of mine.

[cmd]

The grilled cheese sandwich.

[macadamianut]

Cheeseburgers and raw oysters,

[ScubaSteve]

for a Nice Cocktail try the Flying Dutchman.

[pollystyrene]

Scuba, what's in the Flying Dutchman?

[ScubaSteve]

jeez, idk, it's a Bob creation. all i know is that they use (i think) their own Tiki bitters.

[Utahinboston]

Cocktail: Whiskey Smash
Appetizer: charcuterie
Seafood: mussels, Island Creek oysters

Avoid: calamari, steak tartar