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Esca
402 W 43rd St
New York, NY 10036
Uber
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Dinner
Lunch
Dinner Tasting Menu
Dessert
Lunch Tasting menu
Dinner
Ostriche
MINIMUM SIX OYSTERS PER ORDER
Montauk Wild Oysters
$3.00
( Montauk, LI )
Raspberry Point Oysters
$3.00
( P.E.I., CAN )
Crudo
American Red Snapper
$23.00
With House Made Meyer Lemon Oil
Fluke
$23.00
With Sea Beans and Radish
Scorpionfish
$23.00
With Sorrel
Diver Scallops
$24.00
With Tangerine Pressed Olive Oil
Hake
$23.00
Sea Salt from Amagansett
Hidden Fjord Salmon
$23.00
With Arugula Wasabi
Icelandic Arctic Char
$23.00
With Fiddlehead Pickles
Pumpkin Swordfish
$21.00
With Crushed Almonds
Bigeye Tuna
$23.00
Carpaccio with Olio Verde and Chives
Spanish Mackerel
$23.00
With Sicilian Dried Cherry Tomato
Razor Clams
$24.00
Two Minute Ceviche with Chilis, Scallion and Mint
Crudo Tasting
$30.00
Six Unique Tastes of Our Raw Seafood
Antipasti
Asparagi Bianchi
$25.00
Jumbo Whole Asparagus with Louisiana Crawfish, Miner's Lettuce and Wild Ramp Vinagrette
Bianchetti
$19.00
"French Fries of The Sea"
Coda Di Rospo
$20.00
Corn Meal Crushed Blowfish Tails with Caper Tarragon Aioli
Fegato Di Pescatrice
$22.00
Seared Monkfish Liver "Foie Gras of The Sea" with a Salad of Fava Beans, Spring Peas, Organic Grains, 25 Year Balsamic
Calamari Alla Galicia
$22.00
Local Squid, Pimenton and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Mozzarella Di Bufala
$23.00
Buffalo Milk Mozzarella with Grilled Ramps and Country Bread
Moleche
$22.00
Grilled Soft Shell Crab with Asparagus and Herb Garden Vinagrette
Polipo
$19.00
Grilled Octopus with Giant Corona Beans and Preserved Sorrento Lemon
Carciofi
$20.00
Salad of Marinated Artichokes, Sheep's Milk Cheese, and Wild Arugula
Fritti
$19.00
Crispy Rainbow Smelts, Steamers, with Caper-Taragon Aioli
Moscardino
$20.00
Grilled Baby Octopus with Roasted Cipollni and Bitter Fall Greens
Verdura Mista
$18.00
Organic Salad of Fall Vegetables, Sheep's Milk Ricotta and Herb Garden Vinaigrette
Verdi Di Primavera
$18.00
Salad of Fall Greens and Aged Merlot Vinaigrette
Insalata Mista
$20.00
Organic Mixed Baby Lettuces with Radishes and Pistachio Pressed Olive Oil
Vongole
$19.00
Local Littleneck Clams Bakes with Nueske's Bacon, Local Apples, and Ritz Crackers
Zuppa di Pesce Amalfitana
$17.00
Fish Soup in the Style of Amalfi with Tomato Chili Bruschetta
Pesce Azzurri
$9 each, $12 two, $15 three, $18 all four: House Marinated Sardines with Peperonata; House Marinated Fresh Anchovies with Oven Dried Tomato Grilled Sardines with Shallot Thyme Vinaigrette; Bottarga Di Tonno (Cured Tuna Roe) with Capers, Raisins and Pine Nuts
Primi
Spaghetti
$32.00
With One Pound Lobster, Chilis and Mint
Maccheroni Alla Chitarra
$32.00
House Made Guitar Cut Spaghetti with Sea Urchin and Crab Meat
Linguine
$26.00
With a Medley of Briny Clams, Hot Red Pepper and Pancetta
Ravioli Di Caprino
$27.00
House Made Sheep's Milk Ricotta Ravioli with a Nettle Almond Pesto
Rigatoni
$30.00
House Made Pasta Tubes with a "Seafood Extravaganza", Fire Roasted Artichokes and Neoploitan Cherry Tomatoes
Spaghetti Neri
$26.00
Squid ink Spaghetti with Seppia, Green Chilis, and Scallion
Gnocchi di Ricotta
$27.00
Old Chatham Sheep's milk Ricotta Gnocchi with a Sauce of Pumpkin, Calabrain Chili, and Buffalo Mozzarella
Secondi
Branzino Per Due o Tre o Quattro
$32.00
Whole Mediterranean Sea Bass for Two, Three, or Four Cooked in Sea Salt
Rombo Per Uno, Due, Tre
$41.00
Whole Grilled North Atlantic Turbot for One, Two, or Three with Mixed Olives and Caperberries
Lanzardo
$39.00
Whole Grilled Boston Mackerel with Salsa Verde
Dentice
$39.00
Grilled American Red Snapper with a Spring Vegetable Medley
Tonno
$40.00
Bigeye Tuna with Artichokes, Sicilian Almonds, and Wasabi Arugula
Capesante
$40.00
Pan Roasted Montauk Sea Scallop with a Ragu of Fresh Garbanzo Beans, Roasted Radish and Wild Arugula
Zuppa Di Pesce
$35.00
Sicilian style Fish Stew
Fritto Misto Amalfitano
$35.00
Crispy Mixed Seafood
Pollo
$34.00
Four Story Hills Farm Chicken, Primo Olives, Fregula and Lemon
Contorni
Selection of Italian style vegetables any one $9. any three $15, all five $19
menus and wine lists are representative only and certain items may change based on availability
Crudo
American Red Snapper
$23.00
With House Made Meyer Lemon Oil
Fluke
$23.00
With Sea Grapes and Radishes
Diver Scallops
$24.00
With Tangerine Pressed Olive Oil
Hake
$23.00
Sea Salt from Amagansett
Hidden Fjord Salmon
$23.00
With Arugula Wasabi
Icelandic Arctic Char
$23.00
With Own Crackling
Pumpkin Swordfish
$23.00
With Crushed Almonds
Bigeye Tuna
$24.00
Carpaccio with Olio Verde and Chives
Spanish Mackerel
$23.00
With Sicilian Dried Cherry Tomato
Razor Clams
$24.00
Two Minute Ceviche with Chilis, Scallion and Mint
Live Maine Sea Urchin
$24.00
With Capezzana Olive Oil
Crudo Tasting
Three unique tastes of our raw seafood- $16 Six Unique Tastes of our Raw Seafood - $30
Antipasti
Calamari Alla Galicia
$20.00
Local Squid, Pimento and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Moscardino
$19.00
Grilled Baby Octopus with Roasted Cipollini and Winter Greens
Coda Di Rospo
$20.00
Cornmeal Crushed Blowfish Tails with Caper Tarragon Aioli
Caprese
$18.00
Buffalo Mozzarella with Wild Arugula and Oven Dried Tomatoes
Fegato Di Pescatrice
$19.00
Seared Monkfish Liver "Foie Gras' with a Salad of Fava Beans, Spring Peas, Organic Grains, 25 Year Balsamic
Bianchetti
$17.00
"French Fries of The Sea"
Fritti
$19.00
Crispy Local Steamers, Purple Potatoes with Caper-Taragon Aioli
Insalata Di Sanguinello
$19.00
California Blood Oranges with Shaved Fennel and Oil Cured Olives
Verdura Mista
$18.00
Organic Salad of Fall Vegetables, Sheep's Milk Ricotta and Herb Garden Vinaigrette
Insalata Mista
$20.00
Organic Mixed Baby Lettuces with Radishes and Pistachio Pressed Olive Oil
Verdi Di Primavera
$18.00
Salad of Fall Greens and Aged Merlot Vinaigrette
Vongole
$19.00
Local Littleneck Clams Baked With Nueske'e Bacon, Local Apples, and Ritz Crackers
Zuppa di Pesce Amalfitana
$16.00
Fish Soup in the Style of Amalfi with Tomato Chili Bruschetta
Pesci Azzurri
$9 each $12 two $15 three $18 all four: House Marinated Sardines with Peperonata; House Marinated Fresh Anchovies with Oven Dried Tomato; Grilled Sardines with Shallot Thyme Vinaigrette; Bottarga Di Tonno (Cured Tuna Roe) with Capers, Raisins and Pine Nuts
Primi
Spaghetti
$30.00
With One Pound Lobster, Chilis and Mint
Maccheroni Alla Chitarra
$32.00
House Made Guitar Cut Spaghetti with Sea Urchin and Lump Crab Meat
Perciatelli
$23.00
House made Whole Wheat Fat Spaghetti with Sardines, Walnuts and Fennel Compote
Linguine
$24.00
With a Medley of Briny Clams, Hot Red Pepper and Pancetta
Spaghetti Neri
$26.00
House Made Squid Ink Spaghetti with Seppia, Green Chilis and Scallion
Secondi
Rombo Per Due o Tre
$31.00
Whole Roasted North Atlantic Turbot for Two or Three with Mixed Olives and Caper Berries
Lanzardo
$30.00
Whole Grilled Boston Mackerel with Salsa Verde
Capesante
$30.00
Pan Seared Montauk Sea Scallops with Ragu of Fresh Garbanzo Beans, Wild Watercress and Oven Roasted Tomatoes
Dentice
$30.00
Grilled American Red Snapper with a Spring Vegetable Medley
Tonno
$32.00
Local Big Eye Tuna with Fire Roasted Artichokes, Sicilian Almonds and Wasabi Arugula
Polipo
$27.00
Grilled Octopus with Giant Corona beans and Preserved Sorrento Lemon
Zuppa Di Pesce
$25.00
Sicilian Style Fish Stew
Fritto Misto Amalfitano
$26.00
Crispy Mixed Seafood
Pollo
$26.00
Four Story Hills Farm Chicken with Primo Olives, Fregula and Lemon
Contorni
Italian style Vegetables: any one $9; and three $15; all five $19
menus and wine lists are representative only and certain items may change based on availability.
Menu is representative and certain items may change based on availability
Crudo Del Mercato
Selection from Today's Raw Seafood ~ Flor Prosecco NV (Veneto)
Five Extra "Crudo" Tasting Supplement
$25.00 per person
Coda Di Rospo
Cornmeal Crushed Blowfish Tails with Caper Tarragon Aioli ~ BASTIANICH "Vini Orsone" Friulano 2016 (Friuli)
Fegato Di Pescatrice
Seared Monkfish Liver "Foie Gras of The Sea" with a Salad of Fava Beans, Spring Peas, Organic Grains, 25 Year Balsamic ~ D'ORTA E DI CONCILIS Greco Di Tufo 2015 (Campania)
Ravioli Di Caprino
House Made Sheep's Milk Ricotta Ravioli with a Ramp Pesto ~ DONNAFUGATA "Floramundi" Frappata/Nero D'Avola 2016 (Sicilia)
Capesante
Pan Roasted Montauk Sea Scallop with a Ragu of Fresh Garbanzo Beans, Roasted Radish and Wild Arugula ~ LA MOZZA "I Perazzi" Sangiovese 2016 (Toscana)
Dolci
A tasting of our favorite desserts ~SAN GIULIANO Moscato D'Asti 2017 (Piemonte)
Dolci
Torta Al Limone
$15.00
Lemon Cued, Fresh Kiwi and Lime Sorbetto
Carrot Cake Tartufo
$15.00
Carrot Cake Gelato, Rum Raisins, Caramelized White Chocolate Shell
Bomboloni Alla Crema
Fresh Doughnuts, Vanilla Pastry Cream, Rhubarb-Rosewater Jam
Affogato Di Caffe
$15.00
Gingerbread Gelato, Chewy Molasses Cookies
Mousse Al Cioccolato
Blood Orange Sorbetto, Candied Cocoa Nibs
Gelati
$15.00
House made traditional flavors
Sorbetti
$15.00
House made seasonal flavors
Formaggi
$17.00
Bourbon Bellavitano, Wisconsin Pecorino Tartufello, Italy Weinkase Lagrein, Italy Quattro Portoni Blu Di Bufala, Italy Seasonal Confettura
menus and wine lists are representative only and certain items may change based on availability.
Antipasti
Choice of: ~ Bastianich "Vini Orsone" Friulano 2015 Friuli
Zuppa Di Pesce Amalfitana
Fish Soup in the Style of Amalfi with Tomato Chili Bruschetta
Calamari Alla Galicia
Local Squid, Pimenton, and Arugula
Verdi Di Primavera
Salad of Spring Greens and Aged Merlot Vinaigrette
Secondi
Choice of : ~ La Mozza "I Perazzi" Sangiovese 2014 Toscana
Lanzardo
Whole Grilled Boston Mackerel with Salsa Verde
Dentice
Grilled American Red Snapper with a Spring Vegetable Medley
Maccheroni Alla Chitarra
House Made Guitar Cut Spaghetti with Sea Urchin and Lump Crab Meat
Linguine
With a Medley of Briny Clams, Hot Red Pepper, and Pancetta
Dolci
Choice of: ~ Brandini Moscato D'Asti 2015 Piemonte
Torta Al Limone
Lemon Crud, Fresh Kiwi, and Lime Sorbetto
Affogato Di Caffe
Roasted Almond Chocolate Chip Gelato, House Made Rainbow Cookies
Menu is representative and certain items may change based on availability
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General Info
Payment Types
All Major Cards
Cuisine
Italian
Seafood
Meals
Lunch
Dinner
Hours
Monday:
12:00pm - 12:30pm
5:00pm - 10:00pm
Tuesday:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
4:30pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
4:30pm - 10:00pm
Thursday:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
4:30pm - 10:00pm
Friday:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
4:30pm - 11:30pm
Saturday:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
4:30pm - 11:30pm
Sunday:
4:30pm - 10:00pm
About Us
ESCA, Italian for "bait," the stuff of temptation and enticement, is a southern Italian trattoria devoted to celebrating the fruits of the sea.
Created by James Beard award-winning chef Dave Pasternack, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich in October 2000, ESCA is revered for its less-is-more approach, for its elegant simplicity. In his 3-star New York Times canonization of ESCA as the ultimate Italian seafood destination in New York, Frank Bruni coined Dave as "an honest-to-God fisherman, in love with the ocean, and ESCA is his ongoing ode to it."
Dave's distinctive crudo dishes are emblematic of ESCA's food. The freshest, most pristine fish is carefully chosen, expertly sliced, and dressed with one of at least a dozen different extra virgin olive oils from all over the Boot and sprinkled with any one of ten different sea salts, depending on the flavor of each specific piscatorial divinity. One bite of tilefish with Sardinian oil, for example, will transport you both to the sea in the Gulf of Mexico and the land in Olbia. Dining at ESCA centers on the best ingredients combined with thoughtful consideration. The varied Italian wine list, composed with value in mind, pairs brilliantly with both the esoteric and the sublimely intuitive.
ESCA's intimate and elegant dining room is superb for any occasion and the outdoor patio offers a lovely, quiet experience amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City's theatre district. Your meal will be, as Mario says, in the "hands of Zen Master Fisherman Extraordinaire, Chef Dave Pasternack."