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Essies Restaurant in Poughkeepsie
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Location on the map
Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York, US
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Phone: +1 845-452-7181
Site: http://essiesrestaurantpk.com/
Site: http://essiesrestaurantpk.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:Closed
- Wednesday:4–9:30PM
- Thursday:4–9:30PM
- Friday:4–10PM
- Saturday:11AM–3PM
- Sunday:11AM–3:30PM
Comments (199)
Essies was absolutely amazing. It is very rare to have a truly unique, innovative dining experience. Everything on the menu was creatively prepared, infused with flavor, and completely delicious. The staff were warm and welcoming, the dining room was comfortable and inviting. Poughkeepsie is lucky to have this gem of a restaurant - and I will return many times in the future!
We had a good brunch at Essies. We enjoyed the chicken waffles, chicken sandwich but the star was the grit croquettes. Service was a bit slow in getting our drinks and food but overall a good experience
Very sweet staff and loved their frittata of the day! Got the Belgium waffles which was crispy and had a little tang of lemon or something in it. Served with local butter and syrup! The coffee is what really stuck with me—served with some real cream and I couldn’t get enough of it.
Just got the fried chicken dinner for four. Sooooo good!!! Wow! The sides were great. The green beans are crisp, and flavorful. The potato wedges were great too. But, the chicken,…. unreal!!! Delicious. Definitely ordering this again.
The food was amazing, the service was impeccable, our server Michael was amazing. The jambalaya croquettes are divine!!! This restaurant is a true gem and we will be coming in more often.
Delicious food. Good wine selection. Great service. Reasonable pricing. Would definitely recommend stopping by for dinner. The flavors are great, the chef uses many ingredients to create unique and complimentary textures. Will definitely come back when passing through town.
What an excellent meal the staff was friendly the Atmosphere was inviting what a beautiful way to spend New Year’s Eve
The food was good minus the fact that my chicken was pink inside. I informed the waiter twice and he did not inform the chef. The waiter and waitress were not very welcoming and very concerned about my friends and I conversation rather than doing their job. I would recommend new waiter and waitress because they are the front of the house, they are supposed to make you feel welcomed & make you want to come back. Love supporting black owned businesses but honesty is the best policy.
The owners dedication to providing delicious, hi quality food is real. When he feels hes fallen short he apologies. Unfortunately, he is currently understaffed, so our wait was long but not disagreeable and the waitress, Kayla, is patient, sweet, with an upbeat attitude. The ambiance was warm and comfortable. The food is very tasty, its presentation delightful so Ill keep going back and recommend you go if you havent been and/or go back if you have!
Trendy restaurant on an otherwise quiet block in POK. We came for an early brunch and it was empty but when we left, the place was filling up! Chicken and Waffles was worth self-indulging on! Id be happy to come again to try something else!
Incredible find. Chef Brandon Walker provided personal attention and passion for his craft. Our meals were perfect and we trust any item on his menu is worth your visit. We’ll be back for sure.
Great place, not too busy. Had a great conversation with locals there out of the blue, friendly people. Had the steak medium rare, great cut, cooked perfectly with a good side of brussel sprouts and squash. Recommend highly!
We are visiting from Syracuse and went to Essie’s last night for dinner and all we can say is wow!! First, the restaurant felt incredibly safe regarding COVID. The tables were well spaced and of course, everyone was masked.The food was incredible. While it was a smaller menu, the food was unique, fresh, and interesting. The jambalaya croquettes are unlike anything we’ve ever had and we are still thinking about them this morning!The drink list is amazing and the drinks we had were delicious and different. We ended up having them choose our drinks for us because we couldn’t narrow it down ourselves.The service is better than you’ll get in most restaurants anywhere. Our server was attentive and so friendly. We also had the privilege to chat with the chef himself and he is not only a talented chef but a really kind human.Overall, we cannot recommend Essie’s enough and hope that everyone has the opportunity to dine here!
Across the board EXCELLENT. I had the filet and my friend had the chicken and dumplings. Both just perfect from presentation to portion to temperature. We ordered the jerk ribs which were fall off the bone and a little spicy but seasoned to such a delicious standard.I wanted a salad but with just one chef in the kitchen it was not to be had. I was full and we shared the cheesecake with plums for dessert.I had a good red Zin with my meal and it was a better than average wine. I live just down the street from this place and I’m truly afraid I’ll be there once a week!I think the chef here is the best in all of Poughkeepsie and might even be best in the Hudson Valley!
Chef Walkers creativity and interpretive dishes were fantastic. I had the chicken and dumplings, the chicken was moist, the skin crisp, vegetables were sweet and fresh, broth was clear and savory. Great balance of flavors, enjoyed every bite. My only regret is that I had to return to PA. and not be able to return soon. Next time Im in the Poughkeepsie area Essies will be our first stop.
Very nice quant place- beautiful fresh flowers on every table. Chef was friendly, personally went to tables to introduce himself. And the food was delicious!! I went for brunch and I will def return for dinner.
Genuinely amazing food. Everything was perfect. We went there for a friends birthday, and we ended up finding our new go to place. Its delicious, both classic and inspired, and so well thought out. The whole environment is welcoming. Cant wait to go back. Try the croquettes. Try the chicken and waffles (Wednesday special). Try it all. You are going to be happy about it.
The food was amazing and so was the service. Defineatly recommend! Make sure to make a reservation.
Just placed an order, got the crispy chicken n wedges. The food delicious really well made and season well I absolutely enjoyed it!! The service was was great the owner was incredibly nice and accommodating. I appreciate that the source their ingredients locally. I will definitely be back, wish I didnt wait so long to try their food. I am really trying to support local businesses during this time, I think its important.
The food and drinks were both very well prepared. Nice atmosphere with knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend giving them a try.
Very good flavors, with excellent bread. Clean bathroom, and attentive staff. Ok price also. Went during comfort Tuesdays. Had a reduced menue, but still had great taste and enough to eat.
Great food & great service. Some of the best fried chicken you’ll ever eat.
Chef Brandon and his team are absolutely visionary. In September 2019, they hosted our rehearsal dinner and everything about it was so right. The drinks were refreshing, well balanced, and strong when you needed them to be; the food was decadent, delightful, creative, and comforting. We were served multiple courses and each course not only stood on its own, but complemented each other in a way that was cohesive, and elevated universally loved meals to a place that excited and surprised everyones palettes (and kept us going back for more!).We were fortunate enough to have the entire restaurant to ourselves. The privacy coupled with the warm and well appointed decor created an ambiance and level of intimacy that most would dream of for a rehearsal dinner setting. The staff was exceedingly attentive to our needs and made our guests feel welcomed and cared for.We are so grateful that we found Essies and Chef Brandon. Having our rehearsal dinner here really made our wedding weekend not only feel like an event, but the start of a magical experience.
This place is incredible!!! We got the frittata and the waffles and they were delicious
Had a great meal here, I had the croquettes and a Brussels salad 🥗 very tasty 😋. I need to come back soon... You should to of you never dined here
The food, service and ambience is perfect, amazing and top notch. The chicken dumpling was delicious.The chicken was cooked to perfection. All was excellent! One of the best places to eat in Poughkeepsie.
Everything we ordered was fantastic! Especially loved the chicken & waffle; we used to live in the South where pretty much every restaurant had it in the menu, and Essie’s was still our favorite. Also loved the ribs. The contactless order system is very nice. A great place to get lunch after long walks on the bridge!
Best Chicken 10 out of 10, righteousness hospitality, Every bite 10 out of 10 all dishes, beautiful Cocktails, genius combinations of Flavor (Vegetarian and Steak), decadent desserts 10 out of 10. Real Food Made with Love and Brains. This Place is a Treasure. Epic.
Finally got to try ESSIE’S for the first time since hearing about them last year in the Poughkeepsie Journal. My wife and I chose them as our anniversary dinner spot and I’m super glad we did.Delicious elegant Caribbean cuisine and seriously tasty signature cocktails. The Jerk Ribs were exactly what I needed!The staff (Kayla, Kaiesha, Jabari and Iverson) were all highly attentive, accommodating and friendly.It’s fantastic that Poughkeepsie has such a great restaurant, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I wish they would open another location in Rhinebeck. There is a great little spot available right next door to Cinnamon👀 — Just sayin.We’ve found a phenomenal new date spot. You should definitely check it out!
Amazing food. Probably the best meal Ive had in the Hudson Valley.
What a quaint, well decorated, beautiful atmosphere to have dinner in. Food was delicious, service was perfect, felt like I was invited into someone’s home and personally cooked for. Highly recommend!
We were there Saturday, march 24. What a pleasant surprise! Dont let the appearance of a relatively abbreviated menu stop you from enjoying a great meal. There are specials. You should make reservations, as it is cozy. Open seating at the bar for 4 or 5. Our appetizers were uniquely designed (No, not strange food or goofy combinations) that were very tasty. Our entrees were delicious and visually appealing. They were appropriately sized and filling. The food was hot, the drinks were cold. The service and atmosphere was inviting. We enjoyed it.
Would have really liked to have tried the chicken and waffles but no one took our order after 20 mins of sitting down, so we left. Even after we asked the waitress to take our order we still sat there for another 7-10 mins.
Food is not bad but grossly overpriced! I complained nicely to the owner/chef for something that I did not appreciate and he was borderline rude giving me a silly excuse instead of owning the problem. You can see exactly what I mean by reading his written responses to bad reviews online.
Delicious food, drinks and atmosphere. My favorite new find!!
Great food, great service, great ambiance. Dishes were consistently good, and lived up to the yummy-sounding descriptions. Staff was lovely. One thing to note: the dishes that the menu describes as nibbles are fully appetizer-sized, and the appetizers are nearly entree-sized, so plan your meal accordingly!
This place is great. Gourmet food paired with great local beers and wines. The local cheese plate and the jerk ribs were amazing. I had the skirt steak and the wife has the stuffed chicken. Everything was excellent and the service was great as well. We will return and recommend.
Went here on a whim with my wife and was pleasantly surprised by the warm and welcoming staff and interior. After a little back and forth we got our drinks (the server had a hard time telling me anything about the TWO beers available..) and ordered dinner. My cod dish arrived 5 minutes before my wife’s main course salad (that’s 101, guys!). Both dishes were good and the portion sizes as to be expected these days. However, $37 for a piece of cod?? I can only surmise it was hand reared. For that price, in Poughkeepsie, I expected perfection. That it was not.
We had a lovely meal at Essie’s. The pan fried chicken was perfectly moist and flavorful, the skirt steak was amazing, the drinks were terrific, and the grits croquettes were the best things I’ve eaten in quite a while. If I lived in Poughkeepsie, I’d eat here all the time.
Food is fine but service is very slow
What a wonderful culinary experience! Chef Brandon and staff were amazing ! Although the menu changes (which is great) I had the opportunity to enjoy the fish and Grits ..I dont eat meat but was quickly accommodated with roots veggies ,it came with a lentil soup as well!! I was totally blown away with the rich flavors and presentation ! This restaurant is a unique find !! A must visit if you are in the area!
I went here for dinner on a busy Saturday night. We were seated right away and despite how busy it was, we never felt rushed. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. And our waiter did a wonderful job pairing wine with our meal. We started with a small plate of grilled octopus. It is a must try! The octopus was tender, juicy, and well seasoned. It was perfectly balanced by the squid ink reduction and bean salad. I even joked about having another for dessert. My entree, the vegetable puttanesca, is delicious (just the right amount of salt and spice). It is served with a hearty pasta, which will leave you feeling satisfied. I will definitely be making my way back here soon.
Food was very flavorful and we had wonderful service. As a vegetarian from the south, this has been one of my favorite dining experiences. The meat-eaters with me were equally impressed.
The food was A1. The food was just.... Muah *kisses fingers* Everything was amazing. My friends and I really enjoyed ourselves and will definitely come back. The vibe was everything neo soul jams, the design in the interior reminded me of the hot spots I frequented with my friends for brunch. It was a vibe. We loved it and highly recommend it. Ps the lighting is great for pictures ♥️. Excellent 5 star service as well. You gotta go to find out.
This is top notch in the area. All the flavors are outstanding. Service is excellent and personal. Drinks are refreshing and unique... Check out their sours drink list. My favorite spot when Im visiting the area from Brooklyn. Great place for a date or family dinner. Highly recommend.
Delicious food, great service.Steak was amazing, so was cheesecake.Highly recommend, if you are in the area.
What a wonderfully prepared meal. Everything we ate was top notch, beautifully plated, with deep complex flavors. Paired with the wines, the meal was simply elegant and casual - no pretense just expertly prepared food in a relaxed and inviting environment. Service was spot on. Chef was a delight and we would heartily return to see what new items he is planning for the menu. We were celebrating our daughters graduation from CIA - Chef is also an alumnus and shared his story with her. What great inspiration. Perfect meal for a perfect day.
Superb!! Absolutely everything about our dinner was wonderful. Servers were attentive and made great recommendations. Drinks and wine were spot on. Food presentation and quantity was just right and the quality was superb! We thoroughly enjoyed the artisinal cheeses, jerk ribs, free bird chicken, fish of the day, coulette steak, coconut chocolate creme brulee, and Elaines cheese cake. We sat outside, ate leisurely, and enjoyed an exquisite dining experience.
This place has incredible food, service and ambiance. There was a wonderful jazz performance during our Sunday brunch, which made the overall dining experience that much better! My family is grateful to have found this gem close to home.
Fantastic and well-balanced flavors. Went here for brunch with 5 people and we all tried a little of everything—without exception it was all delicious. Hitting a home run with every dish like that is just incredible. You wont regret your time here!
As a fellow chef and grad of the CIA, I find it difficult to be wowed by local restaurants. I can honestly say that when myself and my fiance chose to eat there, we were weary at first because so many new American restaurants are less than. This is a total exception. The food was fantastic, well seasoned and well prepared, and most importantly for the style well thought out. The signature drinks were excellent and we we loved the compact style of the menu and although there isnt much of a selection, I know that each dish is fresh and carefully crafted. The service was exceptional, and the executive chef at the time we ate there was teaching what looked like a new member of their staff how to prepare drinks and the server was showing the proper way to serve food. Not often do I walk out of a restaurant thoroughly delighted, but this restaurant exceeded all of my expectations as well as my fiances. I cannot recommend Essies enough. It is better than any offering in Rhinebeck or Beacon; that quaint little restaurant doing wonderful things that you want to go to in order to celebrate a birthday or anniversary is at 14 Mt. Carmel Pl. If you have not been there - its time you go. You will not be dissapointed. Cheers to an excellent meal to the entire staff. Well done.
How can fried chicken be so juicy even after reheating in the oven? How can pork be so chard yet maintain so much flavor! Essies is awesome! Good for take out during Coronavirus as well.
We just hosted a family event at Essies last weekend, and I cannot recommend it enough! We had 40 people for a reception with passed hors doeuvres, beer, and wine, and every thing about it was perfect. Brandon, the head chef, was a delight to work with and made several different delicious hors doeuvres that accommodated several dietary needs, and the service was exceptional (one particular waitress noticed I was particularly fond of the vegetable samosas, which honestly I could eat for the rest of my life, and would always bring them straight to me!). I cant recommend Essies highly enough. Well be back!
Loved it. The grits and crispy chicken sandwich were amazing. I appreciated the contactless menu during the current pandemic climate among the other precautions I saw them take.
Great environment and the food is amazing.keep up the good work
Warm and cozy atmosphere. Explosions of different tastes with every bite, WONDERFUL!! Service was warm, attentive, and prompt. Met the Chef in the kitchen AMAZING! Dont miss this experience.
Delightful restaurant in the historic Little Italy neighborhood. We were looking on our phones for a brunch spot in Poughkeepsie and the first few didnt seem too promising. Finally stumbled upon this place and we were glad we did. The bacon hash was delicious and my girlfriend enjoyed her belgian waffles. On the way out, we did catch a glance of the chicken & waffles, which make me debate ordering it to go. Alas, I did not and now live a life consumed by regret. Chef Brandon Walker was outside and we got a chance to chat for a few minutes. Highly recommend, would love to come back for dinner. Small operation in a cute neighborhood, would love to support in the future.
My favorite part of the meal was paying for a fish I had maybe three bony bites of that I would not have ordered had the menu said it was a whole fish with head and bones. I am terrible at deboning and do not want to have to do that myself when eating out at a place. Cheese plate and wine was good though.
If you want to try some different takes on classic dishes then this place is awesome. The food menu is small but the flavors and technique used for the recipes really packs a wallop. Chef Brandon (who personally stops by every table) crafted a comfort food menu with his own take on the recipes. My wife had their goat pasta and loved it, initially she was hesitant because of the fruit in the dish but the waitress convinced her. I had the steak with gouda mashed potatoes and roasted root veggies. One of the best meals I have eaten, if not the best meal Ive eaten in Poughkeepsie. Looking forward to going back.
We were referred to this restaurant while in Poughkeepsie on business this past weekend, the food was excellent! The atmosphere was very pleasant and the ribs fell off of the bone!!!!!!I highly recommend this restaurant for its delicious food, intimate setting, good service and class. Forgot to mention strong drinks as well.
Every morsel was a 10! Dont miss their Beet nachos- exploded with great flavor & texture!, grits croquettes (yummy bite sized comfort food) & fried plantains were all full of flavor! We had the steak- a beef lovers dream, the pork scaloppini- rich and delicious and the cavatelli- a big bowl of rich comfort. My craft cocktail was excellent, Id go back for that hibiscus-lime blended Calpirinha! The desserts were homemade & as wonderful a finish to the meal as the crusty, fresh bread & salted butter were to the start. Essies is a culinary gem with EXCELLENT service and an warm, on-trend decor.
Fantastic meal! Excellent service! Socially distanced tables, masks.Had the chicken entree and the grit croquettes - so many flavors!!
The food and atmosphere were fsntastic! I ate there with 2 friends during restaurant week, and service was incredibly slow because they were understaffed. As soon as the other employees showed up, service was very quick! We spent about 2 hours there total. Everyone was friendly! I recommend.
Excellent food cooked with care and attention. The chef gives attention to every detail. We had small plates- beef tacos, fabulous octopus and mussels. Highly recommended
I’ll start off by saying- WOW! I enjoyed every bite of the food I ate from Essie’s. The staff is extraordinarily sweet & lovely, and the menu has so many other things I cannot wait to try ♥️ 10/10. Thank you!
Chef Brandon Walker is absolutely charming and such a sensational chef with an exciting menu. Location has loads of neighborhood history which he will be happy to explain! Great selection of IPA’s, wines, cocktails and food!!!Reservations are for tonight!
Came to town for CIA alumni weekend and this was the highlight of our trip! Fantastic food and whiskey sours. Highly reccomend the Jerk Ribs and fried plantains! Ivan also took great care of us.
Service was good and food was pretty darn good. Smaller place kind of loud at times but worth checking out for sure.
Service in a to go container says please dont stay. While others mange to have QR codes and wifi or even a paper menu Essies offers a QR code in a window. One may not even order a drink while slow lte service loads the menu. This place has too much love of itself and costs to much money to be so low grade.
Fabulous food from a very creative chef.
If you are in the Hudson valley area and you would like to have a different taste for your palate or to impress your guest I would come to Essie’s Restaurant. Executive Chef Brandon Walker can absolutely take you on a global journey. Everything that was presented on our menu was exquisite, his wonderful hors doeuvres and dinner was fantastic. They have amazing grit croquettes, chipotle beef empanada, jerk salmon, braised pork shoulder it was just amazing! So, for gatherings Essies Restaurant can accommodate up to 40 people for having a engagement party, bridal or baby shower, corporate, rehearsal dinner, and intimate gatherings. Also, Essie’s Restaurant does offer off premises catering, which they have done catering at Locust Grove one of the most popular venues in the Hudson Valley. G’s All Around Production enjoyed Essie’s Restaurant, Executive Chef Brandon Walker, his beautiful wife, and lovely daughter. They were very attentive and made Gs All Around Production feel right at home!
2.0 star rating 10/7/2018Showed up for brunch; I ordered the smoked bacon hash, got some sort of flavorless, decidedly non-smoked dry pork instead.Look I know restaurants run out of items, I just wish they would bother to tell me instead of just throwing something into a dish. Had I know it was going to be a bland substitution I wouldve ordered something different. I originally just thought the dish wasnt that good and that their smoked bacon was actually just ends from pork butt or some other cut, but noticed when I got the check that it was a substitution by the fact they put in pork hash instead of Smoked bacon. My wife and I had a schedule to keep otherwise I wouldve called them out on it. So since I couldnt do that, Ill just warn others to pay attention because at Essies they dont mind subbing in inferior product and charging the same price. The restaurant was okay to good in most other respects but giving your customers a sub par product and not even telling them and charging the same price is just unforgivable in my list of sins. I wouldnt go back on a dare.
Essie’s is a fabulous little place in the little Italy section of Poughkeepsie tucked under the Hudson River bridge walkway. Delicious fresh food and friendly staff. Bloody Marys are a must. If you are anywhere near Essie’s, do yourself a favor. Enjoy.
The atmosphere was very pleasant. The wait service was great and the food was phenomenal. I will certainly recommend this establishment and return for another visit. I truly felt welcomed and valued as a customer
One of the best dinning experiences in the Hudson Valley. Service is exceptional and intuitive. The menu is locally sourced and well pared. A must while in the Valley!
Great food, kind and attentive service. The waffles and the chicken sandwich were both highlights!
Chef Brandon Walker has a wonderful place. From start to finish the meals were delightful and we felt he put some much love into his creations. This definitely is a place to try out.
Great food, and a good place if you have no other plans for the day. The service is a little slow.
I had the chicken and waffles at Sunday brunch which may have been the best fried chicken Ive ever had. Wife got the burger which was solid but a little underwhelming otherwise great spot.
Great place, love the atmosphere and space. New to the area and we wanted a different experience. The menu has a variety that will suit your appetite. We will come back!
The food was delicious and the atmosphere was very nice. Staff were extremely helpful, pleasant and attentive. I would definitely go again.
Must eat here! If you are wondering if it is as good as the hype it absolutely is. The owner is lovely as well.
Excellent food, nice cocktails. Food with a Southern touch, like black eyed peas soup. Seasonally changing menu. One of the best places to eat in Poughkeepsie.
The jerk bites were the best ever! And Ive lived in Jamaica. Caribbean flavor abounds without being too much for the typical American palette. Service was fantastic and the atmosphere inviting
Fantastic find... surprisingly unconventional starters that really shine (ie. beet nachos and grits croquettes) and fantastic entries that were cooked to perfection (remembering fondly the osso buco, chicken, cod and duck). talking to chef walker after was a treat all by itself...
Frittata was delicious 😋 Given the current time, they did a great job making me and my husband feel safe during our meal!
Soup was awesome. So were duck wings. Fantastic recommendation from CIA
LOVE IT!!From the front door to the writing on the wall. Everything about this place is excellent. The staff, the lighting, the Chef, the FOOD ... Priceless. Worth the drive.I will be back.continued success Chef B.
This place was really nice, elegant resturant, clean, the chef/ owner very great guy good personality, his cooking is unethical, he like to balance his meal taste wise, whether its appitizer, entree r desert its a whole lot of flavor explodes on ur taste buds u just have to try out essie. Good people, good food and great community to have essies
I got the chicken pot pie. The food was good and the atmosphere was intimate. I really dont have any complaints I just wasnt blown away by the food, service or anything else.
Omg. Best chicken weve ever had. Hands down. No exaggeration. And the owner is so cool. Please come support this awesome business.
Essies is amazing. Easily the best restaurants Ive been to in Poughkeepsie. The food is inventive, delicious and thoughtfully prepared. So worth it-a must visit!
Chef Brandon is not kidding around. The food here will knock your socks off! The octopus is the best Ive ever had and I will be dreaming of the hash for weeks.
Pleasant surprise on way to walking the bridge, nice brunch delicious and satisfying.
Chef Brandon Walker has created such a tasty menu. The menu has international dishes with West Indian influences. The service, food and ambiance is phenomenal.
Incredible food exceeded all expectations. Comfortable atmosphere. Above and beyond dining experience! Would highly recommend!
Place has a great chill vibe, good service, and excellent food. Good beer and wine selection as well. I cant recommend it highly enough!
Delicious food and super friendly staff. Cant wait to return.
Had an schedule interview and no one showed up .I left my contact info and never heard back .unprofessional business ethic(update)THE FACT THAT YOU RESPOND WITH I MUST HAVE GOTTEN THE RESTAURANT CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER ONE IS SIMPLE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ! OR WE MAY LOOK CLOSED I AM 34 YEARS OF AGE ,IV BEEN A CHEF OVER 11 YEARS!!I HAVE OPENED RESTAURANTS ALL OVER,BEEN A CORPORATE TRAINER FOR MANY RESTAURANT &HAD PLENTY INTERVIEWS IN MY LIFE TIME...I DO BELIEVE I KNOW WHEN I HAVE A SCHEDULED INTERVIEW. NOT ONLY DID I GO TO THE BACK WHERE THERE WAS THIS OLD GUY WORKING A JEEP ,HE STATED THE RESTAURANT DOESNT EVEN OPEN TILL AFTER 3PM .MY INTERVIEW WAS 11 AM. MY INTERVIEW WAS GIVEN OVER THE PHONE BY A FEMALE WITH A YOUNG VOICE, SHE STATED TO BE AT THE RESTAURANT BY 11AM SHE SAID IT WOULD BE THE TIME THE TRUCK DELIVERS SO SOMEONE WOULD BE THEREI WAS THERE AT 1045 AM (SAW NO TRUCK FOR DELIVERIES) I WENT TO THE DELICATESSEN ABOUT 2 DOORS DOWN GOT PAPER AND PEN AND TAPE, TAPED 2 NOTES 1 TO THE FIRST GLASS OF THE BUILDING & ONE ON THE BACK OF THE RESTAURANT DOOR .I ASKED THE OLD GUY WORKING ON HE TRUCK (WHERE THERE ANY DELIVERIES TRUCK THERE IN THE LAST 2 HOURS) HE STATED NO!....NO ONE WAS THERE!..THAT IS THE TRUTH! I FIND IT SAD THAT NOW A DAYS YOU CANT EVEN GIVE A REVIEW FOR AN ESTABLISHMENT ANYMORE WITH THE EXTRA BS.... I WISH U LUCK ON YOUR BUSINESS !,BUT THIS WAS MY EXPERIENCE & I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK ON IT.
One of my favorite restaurants in Poughkeepsie! Chef Brandon puts such love into his dishes, the service is fantastic, highly recommend Essies!
Incredible food, fantastic atmosphere, professional staff and a very very talented young chef! Kinda place I go to the city for. Best new restaurant in poughkeepsie. Best restaurant in poughkeepsie period
The chef is so nice! The cuisine is delicious. I love the ambiance. Everything is amazing. I simply love it.
Baby back ribs amazing, wonderful orange whiskey cocktail. Excellent service, great ambiance. Ill be back for sure.
Delicious food, great wait staff, appreciative chef. I will be heading back for sure! Great brunch menu
Its a nice cozy place for a nice Brunch or lunch... gets pretty busy but the food is great.. service is good too
Amazing food, great service. Order the Jambalaya croquettes.
Good was exquisite, but service was a bit slow, and was a bit on the pricier side. Well worth the experience
Dony wait to check out this restaurant you wont be disappointed. Brandon is extremely nice and very humble, and dedicated to make your experience phenomenal.
Excellent food vibe service and chef. Really great. Loved it all. Even the coffee was fab
Amazing ambience, even better staff and service and sensational food! Highly recommend and definitely will return! Every bite was delicious!
I tried this spot before with my friend and I am hooked since then. I love the awesome ambience and flavorful dishes and drinks. I recommend this place.
I love this place! The best thing thats happened to poughkeepsie. Every detail is a 10, from the food, drink, ambience, music, cleanliness, aesthetic, service etc.
5 star no doubt. Chef Brandon puts his unique spin on every dish. Delicious
Stellar cocktails!
This restaurant has great balance between atmosphere and food quality. You must try this place if you are in the area.
Very good
Phenomenal food great upscale atmosphere felt like I was in Manhattan had a great anniversary dinner
Some absolutely amazing food.. love the fried chicken and the plantains
Food was great. The restaurant it self is a lilltle small and apparently a reservation is a good idea.
One of my favorite restaurants
Great food. Staff mixed up our orders but they should improve over time.
Delicious food! Great bar! Beautiful decor! I highly recommend a visit!
Big city excellent food in a cozy Hudson Valley restaurant. Great chef!
Amazing meal every time. Chef Walker hits it out of the park time after time.
Great food and good service, Table was attended to buy the chef himself
Awesome food... The staff is casual and professional. I dream of the ribs. Go here ...often
Awesome establishment. Great food, full flavors.
Very nice restaurant, want to be back and enjoy food again. Nice atmosphere and service.
Great food and everything was super clean!! Highly recommend the chicken sandwich!!
Had a steak crusted in Ethiopian spices. Absolutely outstanding. Very friendly staff.
I enjoyed everything, specially the dedicated service.
Great food, tasty drinks, a pleasant space and friendly service. A terrific resturant
Food was cooked to perfection. Lovely ambiance and great music.
The place is great . The service is wonderful food is on point only problem is the SIZE of the SERVING needs to be bigger
Fresh and very flavorful food. Good atmosphere and friendly staff.
Best Chicken and Waffles dish in all of New York State.
The food was amazing and the staff was wonderful. Would recommend to anyone!
God food. Good staff. Good prices. Will definitely be a repeat customer
Food, Atmosphere, Chef, and Service are PHENOMENAL!!! Solo feel restaurant in Poughkeepsie, NY.
One of my favorite places, flavorful and unique options. Try octopus salad
The ribs were pretty remarkable. Service was a bit slow but very personable.
Great atmosphere with Phenomenal cuisine and a wonderful chef.
Steak and eggs were delicious. Cant go wrong.
Delightful food and service.
Delicious! Small servings but quality dishes!
Delicious food, nice staff!
Food and atmosphere great. Industrial chic decor. Great spot.
Very good place. Parking can be a challenge but I was pleasantly surprised
This is the best restaurant! Food and drinks are beyond delicious!
Excellent food and service. My new favorite restaurant.
Love the food ... people work there are so nice. Def will be back
Unique and delicious! The grits are amazing!
Awesome food,service, and pricing.I highly recommend.
Lovely Sunday Brunch. Cant wait to try it again.
Friendly people, great chef, amazing food
Excellent serviceNice interiorYummy food
Never ate in the place. But you know the spies in these phones
Delicious food! Until next im in NY, im coming back, Brandon!
Great service, delicious food and inexpensive.
Really loved the food. Great atmosphere
Chef Brandon Walker is a master mind behind delectable cuisine.
Loved the food and the cook was very friendly
Obvious culinary talent.
Good food and service. Nice place to eat after the Walkway
Highly priced. Needs more seasoned food, bit bland..
Great food and drinks. Highly recommend
Would recommend the chicken and waffle 💯
Wow...what an unexpected jewel. This is definitely a place for an excellent experience.
Wonderful food. Amazing staff.
I love meeting my friends here after work.
Great place, food and service was top notch!
One of the best places in Poughkeepsie! Chef Brandon kills it
It was good but not over the top goodWas ok....
Special in every way. Checks all the boxes for an evening of dining.
Excellent breakfast/brunch place
Best atmosphere to grab a brew!
Fabulous, tasty food and drinks!!
Great food and great service.
Place was beautiful food was great
The love is in the food!! Get people here!
Great food and atmosphere.
Great food. Great service
The pork shank is delicious
Service, not the best...food, AMAZING!
Nothing special. Just avg. food
Food was amazing
MUST GO!
Everything was delicious!
Great food and staff
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Essies Restaurant 2023:
Review №1
2021-11-08COZY COMFORTStopped here on the walk toward the Walkway Over the Hudson. Incredibly charming and the sweetest staff! Even for brunch, the bartender put in his all for our cocktails. I wasnt able to get the Bloody Mary I wanted because the kitchen didnt have all the ingredients for a handmade mix. You know what? Not mad about that. But now I want to try it when I come back!Ordered the mushroom and potato frittata and the chicken sandwich. The side salad for my frittata was super sized and perfectly dressed. There was nothing left on my plate when I done. My husband had the chicken sandwich and it was that perfect crispy outside with that tender and juicy inside.Our cocktails were so well crafted that you didnt taste the alcohol so much as felt the giddiness later.It was the perfect way to start our day in Poughkeepsie!
Review №2
2022-06-04We were drawn to eat at Essie, after viewing Samantha Browns travel show. Our meal was delicious! We enjoyed the bison burger, jerk ribs (oh so tender and tasty), grit croquettes, a shareable salad ( the dressing was delightful and the greens were so fresh). We had to take leftovers with us but still found room to thoroughly enjoy a slice of cheesecake. Plan to spend extra time and enjoy your company while the delicious food is being prepared. The servers are very friendly and attentive. We will definitely be back when we are in the area again.
Review №3
2021-09-15We were looking for a place for lunch and stopped in to Essie.We had the plantains as an appetizer and that was AMAZING.If that was where the meal ended they would have 5 stars, but... My girlfriend and I both had a special bison burger.The burger they have on the menu is $19 so I figured bison would be a bit more.... But it was $27!!!And it took about 30 minutes for them to come out.It was dry and not flavorful at all.I added cedar cheese which brought my burger to $29.So 2 burgers and an appetizer turned into a $75 lunch.I cant vouch for how other menu items are but this was very extreme, a great app followed by at best a mediocre and EXTREMELY overpriced burger.So I started with 5 stars, took 1 off for the long wait when it was not busy, 1 star off for a rip-off price for a burger which as a house special, if its that crazy priced they should tell you, and the 3rd star for the burger being tasteless and mediocre.
Review №4
2021-06-08Chef Brandon has a wonderful place in Poughkeepsie. The environment inside is welcoming and decorated well. The brunch cocktails are a must! We got the grits croquettes and the texture was perfect. The crispy chicken sandwich was fried well and full of flavor. Can’t wait to come back!
Review №5
2022-04-24All of my selections were very good. Particularly good was the bison burger with just the right amount of juiciness and not at all greasy on the whole. Very well done!
Review №6
2022-04-22Absolutely delicious food. Every single thing myself and my company ate was scrumptious! I have celiac disease and they were able to accommodate. I had one of the best seasoned steaks I have had and vegetables and salad. It is a bit small inside and uniquely decorated. It is welcoming. Thank you Chef Brandon. We will be back.
Review №7
2022-03-13Went in for brunch today and the food was outstanding! We ordered the plantains, jambalaya croquettes, and the chicken and waffles. Each dish was thoughtfully curated and full of flavor. We also adored the atmosphere. Definitely plan on returning!
Review №8
2022-03-27OUTSTANDING! We stopped at this gem after walking over the bridge. The atmosphere is welcoming, modern, and clean. The staff is very knowledgeable about all areas of their menu. Food came with generous portions and I couldnt put my fork down. Beer selection had a bit of everything on it and was from surrounding breweries. If youre in the area, make a point to stop here.
Review №9
2022-01-20Everything about Essies Restaurant is immaculate. Every time my boyfriend and I go to Essies we get something new, and every time we are mind-blow by how delicious and beautifully crafted it is. Chef Brandon is insanely gifted when it comes to cuisine. We also have had some of the best cocktails we have EVER had. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in April of 2021 and was scared to go out to eat anywhere. I reached out to Essies, and they put all of my worries at ease. They modified my meals to make them completely gluten free and safe from cross contamination. They take food allergies very seriously. Additionally, we have had the same waitress (only one waitress on the week nights we have gone) the past few times, and she is so lovely and personable. Any wait is WELL worth it and just adds to the overall intimate experience of Essies.
Review №10
2022-06-24*Response to the Owner* Yesterdays Prices and Todays Prices are not trying to rip a client off. Your reviews speaks for themselves and professionalism should not cost a thing.Tried to patron this restaurant and bring them business. Requested pricing for weekly meals and the price quote I was given was $700 a week! That price was way overpriced and when I brought this to the owners attention it was clear he didnt care and said he couldnt lower the price and cheers.Its amazing how you try to support and buy local and yet it is not appreciated.