Esca thoughts asap?

[lastingly]

I have last minute reservations at Esca tomorrow night. Wondering if anyone has been and has thoughts as per the tasting menu or any recommendations.

Thanks!

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

[edwardspk]

I make it to Esca at least once a month and was there yesterday for lunch. As usual, everything was perfect and the service friendly and efficient. On the few times I have found fault with the food (such as an undercooked whole fried fish), the situation was handled promptly and with grace. It really is my "go to" restaurant before or after the theatre.

Lastingly, would love to hear what you thought of your dinner there.

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

[naughtyb]

I went to Esca a few years ago and would never go back. I was with 2 other people and our pasta was seriously underdone. Not even close to al dente. It was as if they took dried pasta and put it in boiling water for less than 1 minute. It literally crunched as you bit into it. I NEVER complain about food at restaurants but this was inedible. I talked to the manager and he told me, in no uncertain terms, that I just didn't understand that in this specific region in Italy, this is how they cook the pasta. I said that I had just been to Babbo the day before and it was fantastic and have been to many other very nice Italian restaurants and never have I had anything so bad. I asked him if he would try it since he so was certain that it was supposed to be that way. He did not but continued with this line of reasoning.
This guy basically tried to make me feel like I was an idiot. He said the only thing he could do for us at this point was that we could order something else. So we all ordered the gnocchi and left extremely displeased. I would go back to Babbo in a heart beat but believe me, you can find much better Italian food in NYC at a much better price point than Esca.

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

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

[uwsister]

How rude - I think that's about the worst thing a restaurant can do to its customer, making him/her feel inferior. "Oh, you simpletons simply don't GET it" attitude. I'm sorry that you received such horrible treatment at Esca.

[thegforceny]

We go there specifically for crudo, then Branzino per Due.

[peter j]

The octopus appetizer is great but a bit heavy. The spaghetti with lobster, mint and chilis gets lots of raves but somehow didn't quite hit the spot for me.

[strangemd]

Agree with nmprisons. We usually make a whole meal of various crudos. They're excellent. The mains are ok, but not more.

[fooder]

It's been a long time since I've been to Esca, but I would suggest focusing on the crudo, the uni pasta, the squid ink pasta, and the gnocchi.

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

[UES Mayor]

I went a few mos ago w party of 6 and just told waiter to surprise us. Everything was FANTASTIC!!!

[nmprisons]

Last I went, we enjoyed the crudo preparations a good deal, but thought the rest was hit or miss. Maybe ordering a la carte will give you a better shot at the hits.