New American Restaurants near Essex, CT

“Absolutely outstanding! 5 star experience from start to finish! Our hostess was a gem! Very kind..Our server Peter was a professional.. made some wonderful suggestions on wine and appetizers! And one of the most important parts was the food! It’s a must try! Memories were made! Can’t wait to go back and enjoy a beautiful experience if they’ve gave 10 stars the Essex would get an 11 cheers“

“Big Thank You to Alex who handled our reservation & table of 24. Great, friendly service & he juggled a lot so we really appreciated it. Food & drinks were very good. Our 1st time there - great atmosphere! Definitely check it out.“

“1st time in after driving past on my way to work. I made reservations on valentines day. Figured we would give it a shot. Atmosphere was great very relaxed. Service was great, prompt and efficient. We didnt feel like we were in a rush. Band was great, food was amazing. We will definitely return. We saw other people food come out and it looked and smelled amazing. Highly recommend“

“Honestly originally came here thinking it was a typical tavern. Left having one of the best food experiences I have ever had! The food was amazing and so perfectly prepared I have been back countless times since and am always recommending them to friends and family. Definitely need to fit in a date night here really soon!!!“

“Obsesssssed, our new favorite place. Short ribs melt in your mouth yummmm so good. Great attentive servive. Super friendly staff, I can go on and on about the positives!“

“The food was amazing. Beautiful restaurant. The service was just a bit awkward. It was almost like they were annoyed we were there. Our initial server who took our order was very kind and attentive, but after him, the other two waitresses seemed put out and almost rushed us out. Hopefully it was just an off hand experience because other than that we loved the restaurant!“

“Such great service but even more so, the chefs are incredible with their creativity and delivery of unique and delicious food. Liv's is an oasis away from home....they do so much to make dinner special every time. Thank you all.“

“Excellent!! Crab cake appetizer was the "best I've ever had" according to my son. There were four of us and all were very pleased. I've been twice and looking forward to going back. This restaurant is definitely the place to go when you want to take your time between courses and enjoy the food and people you are with. I like the 20% service charge(tip) added to bill. Keeps paying thoughtless as service is excellent. 5 stars on everything!“

“Very good dining experience. food, service and atmosphere get a big thumbs up 👍“

“While it is a little off the beating path, it is a fine establishment that has been in the area for several years. Their prices are reasonable. Their menu is varied and quite good. Always a consideration when looking for a last-minute place to go during the week for dinner.“

“We were going to a show at Ivoryton playhouse (excellent) so found this very nice local restaurant! Server was excellent explained the menu clearly and we decided to have a spinach omelet delicious , home fries were fantastic. Portions were large.i had steak and eggs Steak was cooked just like I ordered ! Biggest problem was which homemade muffins to take with us to hotel. They all looked delicious and they were. Definitely coming back at the end of October Don’t miss this gem“

“The Turtle Cafe has the best Breakfast food in the Westbrook area!!! You not only get wonderful food, but if you sit at the counter you get unbelievable entertainment from the Chef/Cooks!!! We went but three times during the week that we stayed in Westbrook. 😋👍“

“Chef owned, strong kitchen. Casual and relaxed professional service. Can’t wait to go back.“

“I have been going here for at least 11 years. The food never disappoints. I love the daily specials and holiday special orders. Fresh and delicious. The bakery is excellent, the cookies are irresistible. Quaint gourmet sandwich, coffee, and gift shop in downtown Chester. Highly recommend, outdoor seating. Always friendly service.“

“My husband and I went to Aspen the other night for our wedding anniversary. We had our rehearsal dinner there 4 years ago and were blown away by the food.. well, once again, they nailed it! It was delicious!! Not only was the food good, but our waiter, Joe M (funny, same name as my husband 😅), was wonderful! We will definitely be back again!!“

“As I entered the premises I was shortly greeted by staff and my needs addressed. I was assigned a great table in the bar area with a banquette, I loved the dim lighting. It made for a very special evening. The server and busboy were attentive and sociable, the service quick and appreciative.
Didn't go for a full meal experience but definitely will return.“

“It's a Friday night and we're meeting up with some friends! One of them suggested Marker 37 for a variety of reasons and today, we're going to find out why! Here's how things went for me during my visit. Atmosphere/Appearance: Set right on the Connecticut River in Chester, CT connected to its own marina is this gem. Reservations are recommended especially in the summertime since THIS is the place where you wanna be. We were here in early April so things hadn't quite picked up, but at least the snow was gone and we didn't need to wear super heavy coats. The parking lot is massive so if it's busy you'll be walking for a minute before you get to the door. But once inside it's pretty modern, chill and relaxed. The decor isn't over-the-top. Everything is straight-edged and just... almost minimalistic. However, we sat in the patio area that was certainly heated so we could see the view of the water while the sun set. It was a wide-open setting and I'm very glad the restaurant didn't smash too many tables and chairs in there. Service: I can't remember who took care of us, but I don't remember having any issues throughout dinner. It was fairly slow so I didn't expect any hold-ups. Food/Drinks: I started off with an old-fashioned which was fine. Nothing crazy. Next up was a New England clam chowder which is perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Textures were good and so were the seasonings. Spot-on. For dinner I went with their Prime Rib! It came out perfectly medium-rare with a side of fingerling potatoes, grilled squash, au jus and horseradish sauce. It was good. Just... kinda not exciting. :-/ Maybe I should've gone the seafood route since we were on the water. But no matter. Value: Not too crazy here. It's a nice restaurant, but prices aren't out of control. You can totally come here to chill, have a drink and an app or a full-on family dinner and not be upset at the final bill. In conclusion I liked it here, just not enough to want to drive all the way out here again. Would I come back? Sure, if I were invited by friends and stuff, but I highly encourage you reading this to pay this place a visit and enjoy the views! Thank you for reading.“

“The food is the best around. Masterful craftsmanship in the assembly of flavors and everything cooked to perfection. all seafood is super fresh and coupled with subtle blends of amazing sauces. Amelia our waitress was superb at taking care of us and making sure my allergy needs were handled. Always enjoy my meals here.“

“We have been enjoying Chow for years and everything we have ever had from them has been delicious but yesterday… Father’s Day, they went above and beyond! They were packed and after waiting for a while for my take out order (understandable for a busy night) they confessed and profusely apologized because in the rush of the busy evening one of my pizzas had been dropped. Without missing a beat they promised my pizzas would be remade and delivered to my house…. Half hour away!!! That is stellar customer service!!! So, amazing food AND wonderful customer service, what more could anyone want?!“