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    Essie's Restaurant

    4.4 (310 reviews)

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    ESSIE'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Essie's Restaurant

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    Window seat
    Genoa D.

    We were so happy to get a late morning reservation for Essie's. We were even more excited when we were seated in a cozy window at the cutest table made for two. Ready for brunch I order their cucumber mint cocktail and searched the menu for the goods. Bae settled on the frittata and I went with the EWB ( eggs, waffle and bacon) Everything was so good and of course the vibes were right. Essie's is a small restaurant and by small I mean cozy like your families home. I loved dining in the window and recommend any small party (2) to dine there too. If you are in PK it's a must to try Essie's.

    Mimosa and Bloody Mary

    We stayed about 20 minutes away and were looking for a good brunch spot and came upon Essie's! Food and drinks were AMAZING. My boyfriend and I finished everything on our plates! Staff was super nice and accommodating! Vibes were amazing too! Would go back anytime we were in the area!

    Jerk ribs
    Jason L.

    Recently came here for lunch on a sunday right before we were going to head on the walkway over the hudson. It was a small restaurant with limited seatings. Glad we didn't have to wait and were seated right away by the window. We shared an order of jerk ribs to start. It was flavorful, not too spicy and falls off the bone. For entree we had the chicken and waffles and chicken with biscuit. Both entrees were surprisingly very well prepared and plated. Both were better than we expected. The service was on point and attentive. The bad, we ended up with food poisoning. A few hours after eating we found ourselves stuck in the bathroom vomiting and having diarrhea. Almost so bad that we had to go to urgent care or hospital.

    Chicken n Waffle and Mimosa
    Quran W.

    Came here specifically for the Chicken and Waffles. Did not disappoint! Food was great and so was the Mimosa! They have window tables for 2, but they're spaced for little kids in my opinion, not grown up's. I have a knack for customer service and it was overall decent here. No rudeness and quick, efficient service. Only thing I would encourage is better interest/conversing with customers.

    Bob F.

    For all you CIA or Marist folks coming into town to drop your kids off---or if you're passing though Poughkeepsie, this is the place to dine at. Head Chef and Owner, Brandon Walker, ( a former Student at the CIA---has put together a menu that will blow your mind. From the cornbread to the grits--etc. Awesome! 5 easy stars!

    Rafael V.

    I came to Essie's for brunch after hiking in the Hudson Valley. We were able to order right away (there was just one other couple seated at a table inside). It took 45 minutes after ordering to get our food. My youngest son really enjoyed his order (waffles). My oldest son got the waffles and chicken and said that his fried chicken was perfect. My wife ordered the chicken sandwich but was not really impressed with it. I ordered the steak and eggs and it was delicious. Sadly, I don't see myself coming back to this place after waiting for 45 minutes with no one in the restaurant. I can only imagine how long I would have to wait if the restaurant was busy.

    William G.

    My wife picked this spot for my birthday and it was pretty amazing. I loved the decorations, wall art, and most of all, the music. I can do Jill Scott/Neo Soul in the background while I eat dinner anytime. I ordered a spicy Bloody Mary, and jerk pork ribs to start. The grit croquettes were complimentary, greatly appreciated. The jerk ribs have some heat on them but has a smooth taste. The grit croquette were very unique and tasted good without the sauce it comes with. Our steaks were cooked just right! And we enjoyed them as well. Definitely will be back to try the lunch menu, I'm eyeing the chicken and waffles.

    This is the place! Chef Walker is serving some great food and drinks. Great decor, ambience and music. Flavors and drinks no joke.

    Chicken Dumplings

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    3 years ago

    Amazing food. Great little place for dinner! We loved it! Going back soon with friends. Beautiful ambiance! Very clean. Love this place

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I'm was in town for a wedding and stumbled upon Essie's. The best chicken and waffles I've ever had! Great cocktails too!

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Cool vibes, bartender was great and accommodating chicken sandwich was delicious def recommend

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Brandon W.

    Brandon W.

    Thank for dining with us and for the great review!!

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    7 years ago

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    Brandon W.

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    Brandon W.

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    My wife and I had lunch here on Sunday. The server was very nice and attentive. And the food was great.

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    4 years ago

    Food is great. Bring a date or sit at the bar for single. Keep it pushin' tons of great restaurants in the valley to support.

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Brandon W.

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    10 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Amazing food and drinks along with great service. Chef Brandon was very friendly. Order the Jambalaya croquettes!

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Brandon W.

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    8 years ago

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    Brandon W.

    Thank you for the review it was our pleasure to serve you.

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    4 years ago

    Amazing chickory and arugula salad! So fresh! And the fried chicken sets the bar for the competition.

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    7 years ago

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    Brandon W.

    Thank you for the kind words and thank you for dining with us!!

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    8 years ago

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    Page 3 of 8

    Ask the Community - Essie's Restaurant

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    Oh WOW this place is beautiful. We came for lunch on a post-snowstorm Tuesday afternoon. After…read morewalking in, we were greeted by the host and the manager - both incredibly nice and helpful. Once we were seated at the bar (always our preference), I noticed that both the bar and dining areas are beautifully appointed. The bar's lounge area was very welcoming and the chairs looked like we could stay there for hours. We just might when we come back!! Our bartender greeted us with a smile and menus - from there, we ordered a Juice Bomb (IPA), and the Martini Rinaldi (vodka-gin martini). Let's just say I'm ruined for martinis forever and will ALWAYS want this martini. It's a perfect martini ... and I will fight anyone who tries to convince me otherwise. As far as food goes, we shared the Zucchini & Eggplant Chips. SO much food for just an appetizer (highly encourage sharing). Really flavorful chips, served with smooth tzatziki (nicely done!). Husband had the Bourbon Burger (lunch special). Properly cooked burger (med rare), juicy burger, good flavor, great ratio of burger to sauces/toppings, not overly messy but just right, and the fries were double-fried so they had that perfect crunch quality. I had the Crispy Chicken Sandwich (also a lunch special), and I have to say (again), the BEST chicken sandwich I've ever had. Beautifully crisped chicken, cabbage slaw, homemade pickles, chipotle mayo were perfectly flavored, seasoned, and balanced. It's like the perfect bite in an entire sandwich and doesn't leave your hands super messy. The sandwich is typically served with fries but I chose the house salad and it was a nice burst of freshness from a rich sandwich. That dressing is delish!! Overall... this was the kind of lunch that's WELL worth the 90 minute drive (because that's exactly what we did... haha). The Executive Chef (John Malone) is a talented individual and this place is a true Diamond on the Hudson. As a side note ... the real show-stopper is the views of the Hudson River. I couldn't get a proper picture - you'll just have to trust me. Can't wait to come back!!

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    Essie's Restaurant - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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