I had been to Esca in the past, but this was my first time in a while, so I was excited to return. We were seated upstairs overlooking the restaurant, which gave the space a nice atmosphere and made for an enjoyable setting. At the start of the meal, we asked for sparkling water, and the waitress specifically told the busboy not to bring still water as well. Personally, I think it can actually be nice to have both on the table, but it was not a major issue. For an appetizer, we ordered the octopus, which unfortunately was the low point of the meal. It was extremely chewy, almost difficult to chew, and probably should have been sent back. The scallops for the main course were much better and redeemed the experience considerably. They were cooked properly with a pleasant texture and served over a decent risotto base with a flavorful sauce drizzled on top of the scallops that complemented the dish nicely. For dessert, I had gelato, two scoops of chocolate and one vanilla, and both flavors were excellent. Very rich and one of the better parts of the meal. Service overall was solid. One person in my party did not like being referred to as "dear" by the waitress, though I personally did not mind it. She was nice and seemed to really know the menu well. Overall, this was probably closer to a three-star experience based on this visit because of the disappointing appetizer. However, I know the restaurant has been better in the past, so I am giving it four stars and would still consider returning. read more

There's metered street parking and a few nearby lots, but nothing directly attached to the restaurant. I went early on a Friday night and it wasn't too busy, which made for a really nice experience. The interior is beautiful, with a mix of seating options bar seating, window seats, and two separate dining areas on different levels that give it a unique vibe. We were greeted right away when we walked in, and our drinks came out quickly. We ordered two appetizers: the octopus and the eggplant chips. I didn't personally try the octopus, but my dining partner said it was amazing, especially paired with the couscous. The eggplant chips were really good. For my main, I had the braised short rib. It was good and very rich and beefy, but I do think it could have used a bit more flavor. I also ordered a wine flight, which I really enjoyed. I got to try the burger as well, and it was delicious. The parmesan truffle fries were also a standout--definitely worth ordering. Overall, a great atmosphere, solid food, and a nice spot for a relaxed night out. read more

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Decided to try Esca an Italian restaurant in Middletown located right on main st . We stopped in for a grils dinner / happy hour ! They offer happy hour M-F I think 4:30 to 6:30 ! Which we loved ! They had amazing options for happy hour . We tried the Arancini balls ( 2 large balls) , which were my favourite highly recommend . The cheesy garlic bread was also amazing! We tried the humus with homemade sesame crackers .. the hummus was okay a little bland for me and the house made crackers were not my favourite personally . - the lemon shrimp was good to ( but only 3 shrimp ) We also tried the tomato basil flatbread which is a regular pizza size ( perfect for sharing ) - the crust was thin and flavours were good ! Overall we had a great time drinking our $6 sangrias ( during happy hour ) and had a great time trying the small bites and pizza . Service was good and plenty of seating cozy environment. Will def be back for happy hour and to try some more options on the menus read more

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Park: absolute nightmare trying to find a spot, went around block like 3x then found a spot 3 blocks away Decor: what you would expect from an Italian restaurant, clean but dated Staff: we ended up sitting at the bar and Jean was amazing and what got them the 3rd star. Food: menu looked great so I had high hopes but was...let down but not disappointed...average. Overall: dinner for two with one glass of wine and no dessert was just over a Franklin. In a pinch, I would go back but there are a few others on the main strip that I would look into read more

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Food is very good, I have had their mussels both times I've visited and have not been disappointed. The service is great, waiters are so respectful and attentive to guests. Despite the location on a busy corner, the outdoor seating is very nice on a sunny day! read more

I been hearing about this Restaurant for a little while now and I am so happy we tried it . We ordered the Crab Cakes for an appetizer the portion was large, which was surprising it had a wonderful relish on top of the crab cake, which was corn in pineapple it was outstanding. I ordered the Chilean Seabass for dinner it was on top of a wonderful cream sauce very flavorful nice size portion. My husband had the Gnocchi and shrimp special the gnocchi was homemade light as a pillow done to perfection. The atmosphere is elegant. If you want to impress your date, this is the place to go. Our server was very attentive and friendly. Great Italian food read more

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The place was beautiful and well run. We had amazing Italian Food that was so good I highly recommend eating here, especially if you like Italian. read more

we've come back regularly for thursday happy hour, the specials are always fairly priced, the blood orange margaritas are excellent and MOST of the food is great. (there are a couple dishes that are misses, but on average the food is worth the price). great date night spot for thursdays! read more

This place is my go to when I'm in Middletown . Mainly because of their hot and dirty martini (the best of all time) . Their food is obviously delicious as well. They're an upscale place, beautiful interior, warm lighting, inviting but not too casual which I like, makes me feel affordably fancy. Their staff is always on it, they're attentive, polite, but don't try too hard (Nancy that's you!) -- incredible place and experience every time. The lunch menu is my favorite. I'll always be back. read more

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HH Monday-Friday 4:30-6:30. Always a great visit for HH during mid week. Never disappoints as bartenders are so helpful. The calamari is so fresh and good and I always do no Italian long hots w cocktail sauce instead of aioli for only $8. Also the meatballs are so fresh and you get 3 for $7 which is a steal and then with their complimentary bread it makes a complete meal. This place is always clean and has a lot for the dinner crowd but the bar area is never too crowded. read more

Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar - Fried Calamari w zucchini - Wine Bars Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Been meaning to try this place for a while and finally did it! There is street parking that you may be lucky to get. We decided to sit at bar to dine. We ordered the bourbon smash to drink and Abby made it very good. They have a great appetizer menu and while we thought we would eat an entree, we kept ordering appetizers. We had the calamari 1st that was just ok. It was overcooked but edible. The lumpcrab cake was really good and flavorful. My favorite was the wildmushroom Flatbread and the roasted beet salad. I will get that salad everytime! Service was really good. Kara and Abby were very welcoming and attentive but also gave space which was nice. The resturant is nice for any type of occasion with a beautiful ambience. I hear they have a great happy hour on Wednesday's so I will be sure to try that out. read more

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I absolutely love Esca! I have been many times - for catered parties, sit down dinner, drinks and happy hour. The happy hour is my favorite. It's timed perfect for aftwr work. There are great menu selections and drink specials. Pictures is what was left of my crostini and the arancini - my absolute favorites. I also had the cucumber martini and salted Carmel pretzel martini. The service is quick and friendly. The bar seats 12-ish. There's indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is easy on the street. Plus, you can walk to many other shops and establishments in Main Street. Will absolutely continue to come to Esca!! read more

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Date of Visit: 5/23/25 First time visiting this upscale establishment with a beautiful interior and white linen tables in Middletown, CT. Stopped by for lunch, and I must say it was top notch from start to finish. The service was great, the food scrumptious and the ambiance was amazing. I was seated right away in a corner table by the window with views to Main and Washington Streets. The white linen table was perfect. The server was warm and friendly and seated me fast and quick. I ordered the Lunch House Special - soup, Black Agnus Beef Burger and choice of fries or salad. I choose fries. The soup arrived shortly accompanied by parmesan cheese crusted bread, which was delicious. The soup, Sausage Vegetable was very tasty, not too spicy or bland. It was warm enough, but I would have liked it a little hotter. But both were very tasty. Shortly afterwards, came the main lunch, my burger. Wow is all I can say. I ordered my burger medium well and it was done to my liking. The fries where crisp and hot, just the way I like it. Big portion, which I could not finish and took the rest home. Price: $16, plus tax. A little more than I usually pay for lunch, but so tasty and so worth it. Would I return? absolutely. Next time I will try their dinner menu. Would I recommend this restaurant? absolutely, hands down. I am not a drinker, so I did not try their wines, but I heard that they have quite a selection for your pleasure. At all my meals I order water with lemon. It was quite tasty here with no after taste from the water like some other places. It tasted crisp, clear and refreshing, like water should be. I live in Middletown and have passed many times by Esca, and it is always full. They do have outside seating, which is blocked off from the sidewalk and people to give you some privacy. I always see people sitting outside enjoying drinks, food, friends and laughter. They have happy hour, sit down dining and even catered parties. Parking is street parking and metered and at times, depending on what is happening in Middletown, is hard to find at times. But behind the restaurant with entrance on Washington Street, there is a public parking, metered, with additional parking If you haven't dined at Esca's, well you should. You will be glad you did! Final rating = 4.5*. I would have given them 5*, if the soup was a little hotter, like I like it. Miriam #travelingtheworldwithmiriam read more

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Review purely on the food. Have been in here a few times. Sat at the bar this time. Was pretty late. So happy they had food. Bartender was so sweet. I got the grilled octopus and boyfriend got steak bruschetta app. His dish was massive. Nice portion. Octopus was good. Got a scoop of gelato for dessert. Their food here is fine. Nothing spectacular to me. read more

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The restaurant itself is so cute inside. We were seated in the perfect spot, in front of large windows. The server was great! Super attentive and helpful when ordering drinks and our meal. The chef did an outstanding job with our octopus and pasta orders. The scallops were perfect and worth the price! read more

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2 flies in my martini followed by a hair in my friend's French fries. Absolutely disgusting and no apologies from management or comped food.

Located right on Main Street in Middletown, this is the perfect place for an elevated yet intimate night out. We made reservations for a Saturday night at 5:30pm. While it wasn't busy when we arrived, the place was full as we were leaving. Staff was attentive. The setup of the space is unique, with two levels and a rock wall at the bar. Drinks were well made. We ordered calamari, rigatoni bolognese, and spaghetti pomodoro. My friend and I both agreed that there was nothing special about our pasta dishes, but still enjoyed it. It can be pricey here, so this is definitely somewhere to go for special occasions. I did wish there was a side house salad or soup included with my meal. Their lunch specials and brunch look pretty good, so I'll come back and try that! read more

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This is a comfortable choice for us. Food is good. Try the excellent meatballs. The calamari appetizer was a major disappointment with far fewer squid than peppers and potatoes. Drinks are good and service fair. Parking is on Main Street so it can be a problem finding a close by space. So, an average rating. read more

ESCA Wine Bar in Middletown CT has been a favorite dining/meeting place for my husband & I , with our children who live on the shoreline. We sit in the bar in our favorite booth... menu choices are varied with a choice that pleases everyone. The bar provides a wide assortment of cocktails, and wine varietals. Ashley was our bartender/server today. She was a delight! We look forward to our next visit to one of our favorite dining venues. read more

We had a very underwhelming experience at Esca recently. We've been there several times, so we were expecting the excellent experience we normally had while dining there. To start, our server was less than helpful when it came to deciding which wines to choose. Our servers are usually extremely helpful and on point with what they pick for us and they normally have fun with us and educate us on the wine in the process. I am a big wine drinker with a lot of experience with various wines so I know when there is something off about a wine. One of the wines in my flight tasted like pure vinegar. I asked her to take it away and ordered a full glass of something else in its place. She seemed annoyed and inconvenienced and did not even offer to make any type of adjustment to to our bill for the "bad" wine. We sat there with empty glasses for over 20 minutes and had to flag down 2 people at separate times to find our server so we could order more drinks and food. The service she provided was subpar at best. We were very disappointed by the overall experience as this is not typical of Esca. I reached out directly to Esca before posting a review but they never responded. So here we are.... read more

Stopped by for happy hour and was not disappointed! $7 martinis. Ummm....yes please! Absolutely delish. The limoncello martini was perfectly sweet. Nice and refreshing on a hot day. Parmigiano fries and caprese salad were perfect size and price for happy hour. Fries were phenomenal! We sat outside in the beautiful weather. Located right on Main Street so you don't miss the action. Surprisingly it wasn't too loud. Great atmosphere all around. Servers were amazing! Very attentive and friendly. One kept our water glasses full and another kept our martinis coming. Waiter had expert knowledge of food and drinks. They way he explained the food was like listening to an expert on Food Network. Definitely going back!!! read more

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We ordered food from Esca last week, and it was great! First off all, my husband called ahead, as he heard a rumor that they had gluten free calamari- this rumor is, in fact, true! We decided to order the calamari, some French fries, and a cheese plate. I really enjoyed the calamari! They also gave us pesto aioli to accommodate for an allergy as well' Fries were decent, and the cheese selection was great. The manager was super friendly, and let us know that they also have gluten free bread and pasta. The patio is also dog friendly, if you'd like to bring your pup! We'll definitely return to Esca! read more

Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar - Calamari Fritti - Wine Bars Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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First time dinning at this beautiful restaurant & I'm glad I did. I came here with a party of twelve for the extended happy hour. I must say, the service was impressive. We trickled in & as soon as you sat, the waiter appeared to get you started with a drink. I stuck with the blood orange margarita. While the flavor was there, I didn't get hit with the tequila. I drank 3 shorts & not even a buzz. I ordered the mussels, the antipasto salad, & the arincini balls a little later in the night. So, I wasn't eating heavy. As I yelled amongst the group, it was busy, we were on the other side of bar. I observed the waiters & they had hawk eyes on our table. There was never an empty glass & plates were promptly removed. Checks were separated without any issues. The mussels were delightful & I was pleased an extra plate was provided, along with the proper tiny fork. The salad was okay, simple. I devoured the prosciutto & cheese. The arincini balls weren't to my liking. I forced myself to finish one, but the other was left behind. Something about the texture of it wasn't enjoyable. The mozzarella, prosciutto & peas weren't throughout the ball. So in one bite, I had the mozzarella chunk, in another I had the meat & in another, I found the pea. The potato's texture tasted more whipped instead of mashed. The marinara sauce however, I could have that everyday. I took some table bread & you know what happened next. This restaurant is great for date night, girls night, group/corporate functions or just having a good night. The late night happt hour was a great idea & I'll be back! read more

Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar - Happy hour mussels & antipasto salad - Wine Bars Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Everything about Esca restaurant and Wine Bar!], is fantastic! My son and daughter-in-law recently had their rehearsal dinner here the staff was absolutely above and beyond. The food was fantastic and we took home leftovers and I've been eating them and enjoying them all week long. I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant. read more

I just moved to the area and I'm trying out restaurants in Middletown this is the BEST by far!! The service here is amazing! Our server is also the bartender and she is still very attentive. My whole table had ZERO complaints about anything. The shrimp pasta was to die for. And don't even get me started on the prosciutto pizza I'm definitely going to be coming back here. Expect me to be your newest regular! the restaurant itself is such a good vibe. The decorations and the Italian feel that the walls give off is amazing. Definitely a must go to restaurant in Middletown! read more

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I've been here for lunch a couple of times now and the food and drinks have been good. Recently, I came for lunch with a friend and decided to order the Caprese Wrap with eggplant chips added, and a side of fries. My meal was very tasty, especially the eggplant and the fries. I ordered a margarita off the cocktail list as well and it was good. Based off the lunch, I would like to come back for dinner sometime. My reason for 4 stars is because upon entry, my friend and I were not greeted by anyone, and stood at the front for some time. Eventually another pair of customers entered behind us and a staff member showed up and seated them before us. Maybe the customers visit frequently or had reservations, but regardless the lack of communication to us was unprofessional. Hopefully my dinner experience will have better customer service! read more

Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar - Caprese Wrap with eggplant chips and fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Just dined here last night. I can't believe I've never reviewed escas as I had my baby shower here 9 years ago. So I am a little late. I do remember the awesome space and food and service from my shower, but this review is based only on my dinner last night. I will start by saying the grilled octopus is probably the best I ever had. My daughter tries octopus everywhere we go and doesn't much care for it, but this time she said wow ok and now understands my love for it. So thank you for that esca! My Sea bass was great, perfectly cooked but I wish it came with a lemon caper sauce instead of the creamy asparagus crab sauce it came with. It was good too but I just don't think they fit. I know this is only my personal preference. My dads scallops were amazinggg and I wish I got those instead. My moms salmon was good but not great. My daughters kids pasta was a humongous portion and the sauce was very good and authentic tasting. I definitely enjoyed our meal here last night. We all left full and happy and the lot of us are extreme foodies. We will for sure be back. Thank you for the great dining experience!! read more

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It was my first time at Esca and boy was it delicious. For appetizers we ordered the eggplant chips and arancini balls. The chips hit all the senses. They were salty, spicy and sweet. The arancini balls were good too. I ordered the Caesar salad along with the linguini and clams. That was also just as delicious. Our waiter was delightful. So helpful with his recommendations and made us feel like we had known him our whole lives. The feeling of family was wonderful and the ambiance was warm and inviting. read more

Came into town for the holidays and heard about this place through family. Went to check it out and it was amazing! Drinks were tasty AF (perfectly shaken martini). Food was delicious (get the Eggplant Chips as a starter, Surf and Turf was bomb, Tiramisu and Salted Caramel Ice Cream were the perfect end to a great meal). Service was great too. Our waiter was friendly and funny. We also loved the ambiance. read more

What's good: Service/wait staff is always wonderful! Pasta dishes nicely presented, very al dente but may be cooked to taste. The salads and vegetable board with hummus, roasted cauliflour and beet salad are excellent. The table bread is so good it is easy to over-indulge. Love the atmosphere, comfortable chairs and spaciousness of the restaurant; tables are arranged so diners are not on top of each other. What's not so good: The chef has a very, very heavy hand with the salt, especially on the seafood plates. An otherwise excellent Chilean sea bass dish and a different plate of scallops were ruined by what would have been a perfectly delectable sauce except for the excess of salt. Be sure to request no added salt. Chocolate cheesecake is overly dense and blah. read more

Outstanding flavors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Service great!! Welcoming ambiance. Very pleasing Italian flavor. Do not miss out on the half priced martinis. read more

We went for lunch. It's a charming restaurant and we were allowed to choose our table. They started us with a delicious freshly baked bread with dipping oil. Brought a pear mint spritzer for my recovering friend and a Sebastian? Chardonnay for me. We both tried the mocktail which was splendidly refreshing. My glass of Chardonnay was 19$ and not commensurate in flavor for the price especially with an unfamiliar label. Due to time, we bypassed the appetizers for entrees. I ordered mushroom ravioli and my friend ordered chicken piccata. I loved my ravioli! He was disappointed that the sauce of the piccata was more of a broth but both were extremely flavorful. Waiter was on point. read more

Colleague recommended I try the salmon burger there, and I'm sure glad I listened. The sandwich was incredible. Perfectly cooked and the sauce was phenomenal. Today at lunch time, I was just about to order it again when I took a look at the menu and decided to go with the Steak Ciabatta sandwich. Again, another great decision. The steak was done perfectly, and the combination of toppings really accented it well. 2/2 on orders so far, and I've heard the burgers is great as well. read more

Stopped in for some appetizers and drinks after a graduation. The restaurant was not busy and pretty empty so we were able to get a table right away. The food was subpar, the waitress was terrible. She took the order of one person then left for 20 minutes. When we asked for her, she came back with an attitude and said she was making drinks, when actually my trip to the bathroom, I saw her talking and not behind the bar. Another staff member brought over an order of French fries to my 12 year old, which we did not order, so he took them back. Our waitress ran over to my daughter with the plate and basically interrogated her saying she ordered the fries. The waitress then was clearing our table and dropped knife with ricotta on it, no big deal, except that it was on my coat. She did apologize and said I got a little on your coat, no big deal. I wiped it off but realized it was all over my jacket not just a little so I asked her for more napkins to clean ti off, she said I said I was sorry with an attitude. She was so passive aggressive. I washed my jacket and now it is stained from the oil. If you go to dine, and get the waitress whose name starts with an "L", either leave or ask for a new server. We will not be back, terrible terrible service! read more

(Last visited 5/13/2021.) Hanging out with some friends in Middletown and we decided to hit this place for happy hour! Here's how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: Set right on the busy corner of Main Street and Washington Street is this gem. There's no private parking, but several angled street parking spots right in front and all along Main Street. It shouldn't be too bad to find a spot. Once inside you can see how open and elegant this place is. It has several different personalities. The outside section reminds me of eating on the patios of the chateaus in western France (minus the hundreds of cars passing by), while the main tri-level dining room reminds me of a fine steakhouse, then the bar area reminds me of The Tunnel Bar in Massachusetts with it's granite finishing. It's very interesting, in a good way, not bad by any means. Service: I can't remember the name of the young guy who took care of us, but he was awesome. We even got to talking about some pretty deep stuff (the first rounds of vaccines were being distributed around this time) and the dude was dropping some knowledge on us. We appreciated that level of depth from our server because you usually don't get that. Food: Here for happy hour so I'm attacking that part of the menu for as long as I can! Up first were the Arancini Balls which are deep fried fluffy balls filled with prosciutto di parma, English peas, smoked mozzarella and served with marinara sauce on the side. Very delicious, soft and tender. Excellent blend of flavors. Next up were the Housemade Meatballs. These were straight-up okay-sized meatballs slathered in a plum tomato sauce and drizzled Parmesan cheese. Very good, not as soft as I've had at other places, but that's okay! These were good. In between those I had an order of Caprese Salad come out which were big tomato slices underneath thick cuts of fresh mozzarella then drizzled with a 12-year old aged balsamic vinegar. I would've liked more basil or just a big-ass basil leaf to accompany each grouping of tomato and cheese, but it was decent. Last, but not least was the Mango Lime Shrimp! These were fantastic. I had multiple orders of these, I think just 2, but still. Each order is 3 decently-sized warm shrimp sprinkled with red pepper all over a red onion salsa and served with some giant tortilla-like chips! I loved this dish so much and it was easily my favorite of the evening. Value: It's an Italian restaurant and it ain't street food so come prepared, ready to spend. Though, we were here during happy hour so the bill was a little easier to stomach, but getting plate after plate after plate while getting wine will still run the bill up. Lol. Peep game. Arancini Balls (Order of 3) = $7.00 Housemade Meatballs (Order of 3) = $6.00 Caprese Salad = $6.00 Mango Lime Shrimp (Order of 3) = $7.00 Not awful, but like I said, the bill will certainly add up. In conclusion, I liked this place for sure. Check it out if you're in the area. Be sure to check out my YouTube channel, "The Hungry Road" for more restaurant and car-related content! You can copy and paste the following link into your browser to be taken directly to the channel! Be sure to subscribe, like, comment and turn on notifications! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEZJPcprSoq00kgDLUb57yA read more

Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar - Mango Lime Shrimp (Happy Hour) - Wine Bars Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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A couple of weekends ago, I caught up with a friend while having dinner on the patio at Esca. I really love Middletown's strip of restaurants on Main Street. It's a fun time. Esca is traditional Italian cuisine and contemporary fine dining ambiance. It's the best of Sicily and Northern Italy. Full disclosure- I'm Italian, so you know I'm down for this cuisine already! Esca means "to lure" in Italian and they got me- hook, line and sinker. We started with the Grilled Octopus with toasted Italian cous cous, green olives and smoked paprika salsa verde. The octopus was outstanding. Check out my pics. We also tried the Tuna Tartare with cucumber carpaccio, avocado, calabrian chili oil and black sea salt. My friend enjoyed that one because I was just to enamored with the octopus. Hey, it was that good. lol I also had a salad after as well- the Roasted Beet Salad with avocado, goat cheese, pistachios, local kale and balsamic. This salad has inspired me to buy more kale. I loved this salad and would specifically come back for it again. It could be a meal with a meat topping. It was really good :) My entree was the New York Sirloin- 12oz (Allen Brother's Farm, VT) with warm pepperonata, sautéed broccoli rabe, gorgonzola mashed potatoes and a red wine demi. It was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and I loved the mashed and broccoli rabe combo. So good. So, we realllllly went overboard at this meal. I also had dessert! I was hungry! My friend had the Flourless Dark Chocolate Torte with vanilla bean gelato and burnt caramel. And I had the Key Lime Pie Tart. I love a good key lime flavor. It also came with a raspberry sorbet. I very much enjoyed it as a way to end this decadent meal. Ahhh, I forgot to mention the bread we started with--- also a homerun :) Get the bread. Always get the bread! Closing- the patio may be a little loud with all of the traffic passing by, but it's on Main Street, so obviously there will be traffic. The weather was great that night and I can't wait to return for another meal. Next time---PASTA! read more

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I've visited Esca many times over the past 10 years. Before the pandemic, I went there for happy hour fairly regularly and always enjoyed the wine and apps. I've had dinner there about a half dozen times and just ate there last week. The food was great! We especially enjoyed the fried eggplant chips appetizer. It was delightfully sweet, salty, and smoky. I also had the lobster and crab fettuccine, which was huge and fed me for two nights. My husband ordered the pasta bolognese. Esca changes their menu and always offers specials, so you don't get tired of the choices. They also serve delicious desserts. I had a goat cheesecake there years ago that I still think of. Unfortunately it wasn't available last week, but I will be back soon to see what's on the menu! read more

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Food was very tasty, came to the table hot. Service is always spot on, bartenders very attentive and knowledgeable of clients likes and dislikes. read more

Oh, my. This is a gorgeous restaurant in Middletown. The decor is very appealing with an amber back-lit bar taking center stage. The food is spectacular. It's Italian, and not the run-of-the-mill Italian you get all over Connecticut. The service is first-rate, and the bar has an impressive selection of wines and specialty cocktails. I can't say enough good stuff about this restaurant. It's a great place for a special occasions or just a nice Sunday lunch or even an after-work cocktail. By the way, it hosted recently a wedding rehearsal dinner I know about and everyone was well-pleased. Unapologetic foodie here, and I have nothing bad to say about Esca. read more

The risotto with the scallops were a tad salty although tasty (just hydrate after lol). The 2- thigh free range chicken was ok, love the bed of mashed potato and broccoli rabe that were served on. Also liked the garlic bits on the chicken pieces, a good garnish. They had specials and I got the app - Ahi Tuna on Wonton chips.. the wonton chips were crunchy and huge, you need to take few bites to reach the ahi tuna . There was a kitchen "mishap" in the tuna serving, the server immediately apologized and rectified so I wouldn't take it too much against them because their service recovery was excellent - they gave us a new serving and took it out of our tab so it's all good. Our server was really friendly and engaging which is why it's 4 stars. The decor was semi-formal, a good place for date night. I'll definitely come back for their happy hour, i'll keep you posted when I do read more

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