Finally got to this Arlington institution a couple weeks before the owners retire. Glad we did. Classic old-school restaurant with generous portions (everyone seemed to leave with a go-box). Owner personally brought food, drinks to tables. Looked like he knew everyone in the room (except maybe us). Unfussy food, well prepared. Will be missed.
NancyB
The service was bad and very slow, the wine list was limited, and the food we ordered was the worst we had in a long time. We ordered their signature dishes, crab cake and crab imperial based on the reviews; but both dishes were overcooked and had no flavor. We will not go back nor recommend this place.
Paul
Although this place is a favorite with the locals, it was a disappointment even though it had been strongly recommended by a local who recently dined there. I dined at 7pm on a fine Friday evening and was surprised that the restaurant was nearly empty. I looked forward to the Weiner schnitzel which should be a piece of veal, pounded thin, lightly breaded and sautéed. What I got was heavily breaded, deep friend, chewy gristly, veal(?) scaloppini accompanied by 4 quarter sized thin and burnt potato pancakes and some bitter red cabbage. The dessert was obviously purchased frozen from an outside source and not made in-house despite the restaurant's reputation and price. Perhaps, the "bloom" is off for the locals given the emptiness of the restaurant?
GregS
If you can work around the grumpy owner, everything will be OK. We came for Christmas Eve dinner and were seated immediately. This is a family owned restaurant and the waiter said he was the nephew and doesn't usually work there and was helping out that evening. The staff seems to tag team serving tables. After waiting a while, we had to ask for menus. Then we had to ask that our drink order be taken. After waiting again, the owner came by and we said we were ready to order. He said we just got our wine and should sit and relax and there was plenty of time to order later. What?!! Luckily, the waiter came by and we were able to order. The food: the fried calamari appetizer is clearly breaded and frozen from a box. Looks more like onion rings so it's nothing special. The salad was a bed of lettuce and 3 tomatoes strategically placed around the edge of the plate. That's it! We waited again for the waiter and told him the salads didn't have any dressing so he apologized and brought each of us some Italian dressing that we poured over the lettuce. We both had thick lamb chops that were cooked perfectly. The roasted potatoes were perfectly browned on the outside and creamy on the inside. The green beans had some sauce on it that reminded me of my great aunt's green bean casserole. That's not a compliment. The meal also had a few slices of bread and butter that I liked. We didn't order dessert. More about the owner: during dinner service, we noticed that our waiter was filling some water glasses at another table and was told by the owner not to do that. Later, the waiter was changing the table cloth from a table next to me and the owner came over and told the waiter in a grumpy tone he didn't need to do that. So, if you can put up with the grumpy and rude owner, it will all be OK.
LSVA
Very nice little family-run place! Great find for our Christmas Eve dinner - the food was delicious, the staff were really friendly. The space itself is a little tired, but I would definitely try it again.
Bill
We were pleased with the greeting, the service and the food. So nice to have real table cloth covered tables. Lots of good choices on menu. 5 people, five dinner choices, five happy eaters.
AndrewS
I'm afraid the best days have gone by here. Brunch was acceptable, but not above the level of a hotel breakfast restaurant. It looks like the restaurant has been here for many decades. Nice people but a lack of concern about meeting allergy needs.
Halyna P
Got food for takeaway. It was decent. Pleasant staff.
TeddyMac56
Had driven by Essy's for years and now regret I hadn't visited sooner! With a select menu, care is taken in the kitchen on each dish. I had a creamy Lobster Bisque wI hich was served at correct temp & with hint of sherry. Only regret were few lobster bits in the soup. As entree I had Liver, bacon & onions. Perfectly cooked and very, very satisfying. The roasted potatoes were also cooked perfectly though portion was almost too large. Nice dining room, very clean and convivial conversation with owner. I poked my head into the kitchen on way out and complimented the Chef. Will return as the German dishes and the grilled fish both caught my eye on other dinner's plates.
GaryS
What a treasure to have discovered this long-term establishment in Arlington. While the food and beverage were excellent, the most memorable aspect of Essy's Carriage House is Essy himself. His attention to detail and our enjoyment were his top priority. The back-and-forth banter between him and his guests is worth the price of dinner. We feel like we made friends with him and his charming wife. This is a throwback to the quality and homey feel that is so lacking today with most restaurants.
Me and several friends went there for dinner tonight and I have to tell you that was the best food I've had in years. This is a quality place it may not look like that but it is. Thank you Mr. Essy you're awesome. Excellent service a very nice pleasant place to have dinner.
Sally
We've been going to Essy's for years. Essy is a delightful owner and always has a smile on his face. His wife,Janet, does all of the cooking and she does a great job. I love their tenderloin sandwich with Bernaise sauce.
Rob Calloway
I had passed by Essy's for years and never stopped in. I went this past Saturday with two friends and was pleasantly surprised. The owners Essy and Janet were very personable and welcoming, and the food and service were excellent. I will definitely return.
ElaineK
Essy's is a charming, civilized rare find. We were able to have a lovely, delicious dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. We have eaten their many times and have never been disappointed in the quality of the food or service.
Rachel Gassen
Great place if you want to pay for someone to be *incredibly* rude to you. To describe the encounter is not even worth the time to write, just don’t go ?
Finally got to this Arlington institution a couple weeks before the owners retire. Glad we did. Classic old-school restaurant with generous portions (everyone seemed to leave with a go-box). Owner personally brought food, drinks to tables. Looked like he knew everyone in the room (except maybe us). Unfussy food, well prepared. Will be missed.
The service was bad and very slow, the wine list was limited, and the food we ordered was the worst we had in a long time. We ordered their signature dishes, crab cake and crab imperial based on the reviews; but both dishes were overcooked and had no flavor. We will not go back nor recommend this place.
Although this place is a favorite with the locals, it was a disappointment even though it had been strongly recommended by a local who recently dined there. I dined at 7pm on a fine Friday evening and was surprised that the restaurant was nearly empty. I looked forward to the Weiner schnitzel which should be a piece of veal, pounded thin, lightly breaded and sautéed. What I got was heavily breaded, deep friend, chewy gristly, veal(?) scaloppini accompanied by 4 quarter sized thin and burnt potato pancakes and some bitter red cabbage. The dessert was obviously purchased frozen from an outside source and not made in-house despite the restaurant's reputation and price. Perhaps, the "bloom" is off for the locals given the emptiness of the restaurant?
If you can work around the grumpy owner, everything will be OK. We came for Christmas Eve dinner and were seated immediately. This is a family owned restaurant and the waiter said he was the nephew and doesn't usually work there and was helping out that evening. The staff seems to tag team serving tables. After waiting a while, we had to ask for menus. Then we had to ask that our drink order be taken. After waiting again, the owner came by and we said we were ready to order. He said we just got our wine and should sit and relax and there was plenty of time to order later. What?!! Luckily, the waiter came by and we were able to order. The food: the fried calamari appetizer is clearly breaded and frozen from a box. Looks more like onion rings so it's nothing special. The salad was a bed of lettuce and 3 tomatoes strategically placed around the edge of the plate. That's it! We waited again for the waiter and told him the salads didn't have any dressing so he apologized and brought each of us some Italian dressing that we poured over the lettuce. We both had thick lamb chops that were cooked perfectly. The roasted potatoes were perfectly browned on the outside and creamy on the inside. The green beans had some sauce on it that reminded me of my great aunt's green bean casserole. That's not a compliment. The meal also had a few slices of bread and butter that I liked. We didn't order dessert. More about the owner: during dinner service, we noticed that our waiter was filling some water glasses at another table and was told by the owner not to do that. Later, the waiter was changing the table cloth from a table next to me and the owner came over and told the waiter in a grumpy tone he didn't need to do that. So, if you can put up with the grumpy and rude owner, it will all be OK.
Very nice little family-run place! Great find for our Christmas Eve dinner - the food was delicious, the staff were really friendly. The space itself is a little tired, but I would definitely try it again.
We were pleased with the greeting, the service and the food. So nice to have real table cloth covered tables. Lots of good choices on menu. 5 people, five dinner choices, five happy eaters.
I'm afraid the best days have gone by here. Brunch was acceptable, but not above the level of a hotel breakfast restaurant. It looks like the restaurant has been here for many decades. Nice people but a lack of concern about meeting allergy needs.
Got food for takeaway. It was decent. Pleasant staff.
Had driven by Essy's for years and now regret I hadn't visited sooner! With a select menu, care is taken in the kitchen on each dish. I had a creamy Lobster Bisque wI hich was served at correct temp & with hint of sherry. Only regret were few lobster bits in the soup. As entree I had Liver, bacon & onions. Perfectly cooked and very, very satisfying. The roasted potatoes were also cooked perfectly though portion was almost too large. Nice dining room, very clean and convivial conversation with owner. I poked my head into the kitchen on way out and complimented the Chef. Will return as the German dishes and the grilled fish both caught my eye on other dinner's plates.
What a treasure to have discovered this long-term establishment in Arlington. While the food and beverage were excellent, the most memorable aspect of Essy's Carriage House is Essy himself. His attention to detail and our enjoyment were his top priority. The back-and-forth banter between him and his guests is worth the price of dinner. We feel like we made friends with him and his charming wife. This is a throwback to the quality and homey feel that is so lacking today with most restaurants.
Restaurantji Recommends
Me and several friends went there for dinner tonight and I have to tell you that was the best food I've had in years. This is a quality place it may not look like that but it is. Thank you Mr. Essy you're awesome. Excellent service a very nice pleasant place to have dinner.
We've been going to Essy's for years. Essy is a delightful owner and always has a smile on his face. His wife,Janet, does all of the cooking and she does a great job. I love their tenderloin sandwich with Bernaise sauce.
I had passed by Essy's for years and never stopped in. I went this past Saturday with two friends and was pleasantly surprised. The owners Essy and Janet were very personable and welcoming, and the food and service were excellent. I will definitely return.
Essy's is a charming, civilized rare find. We were able to have a lovely, delicious dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. We have eaten their many times and have never been disappointed in the quality of the food or service.
Great place if you want to pay for someone to be *incredibly* rude to you. To describe the encounter is not even worth the time to write, just don’t go ?
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