Esca, tonight - any thoughts?

[lastingly]

My wife and I are headed to Esca tonight. We haven't been.

I think we are going to have the tasting menu w/ selected wines. Does anyone feel that the extra crudo supplement is essential?

Any other thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks so much.

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

[_emilie_]

I thought the crudo was the best thing I had at Esca. If I went again, I think I might actually do only crudo. I found the rest of the tasting menu forgettable (in fact, I have forgotten it!).

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

[jdg5005]

We went and did the large tasting menu with wine pairings. Be warned you will get very drunk with 7 wines. That being said you would do yourself a dis-service if you did not supplement whatever pasta dish they have in their tasting menu with the Macceroni a la chitarra which is basically guitar string fresh cut pasta with Uni. It was the single best dish we had in the tasting menu. Also the additional crudo I would find unnecessary as you will be plenty satisfied with the tasting menu.

[chow_gal]

I always do a crudo tasting. Always. I love the branzino per due: cooked under a salt dome.

[Jack Barber]

Not to hijack this post -- but how does the Esca crudo tasting compare with Marea?

I ask bc went to the latter the other night and did the Le Collezione menu (crudo + pasta tasting). Not overly impressed. It was ok, and we weren't unhappy. But we weren't thrilled (at all) either, and there are a lot better ways to spend $ on food in this town.

I also ask bc I really like crudo and would def try Esca if you tell me oh it blows Marea out of the water...

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

[edwardspk]

I go to Esca a lot and love the place. However, It's always associated with theatre, so have not had the tasting menu yet. Always like the spaghetti with lobster, and any of their grilled fish are good. Also like the affogato for dessert. Lately theyve been serving a burrata topped with caviar as an appetizer - amazing. Hope you enjoy your experience there.

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

[bushwickgirl]

That extra crudo may depend on your appetite; if you're like me, a hungry glutton crazy for crudo, do it. Other than that, I don't think it's essential for the enjoyment of the meal, which will be great regardless, but you might kick yourself later if you skip it.