Essex House and Tavern

Henry Aufiero

2024-02

Online it says they close the kitchen on Saturdays at 9:30pm. That’s perfectly fine. We called to make sure prior to going and they said they close the kitchen at 9pm. That’s also fine your hours are your hours and as a business owner myself I respect it. After all, we show up at 8:45 and we get told they just closed the kitchen because they had a “10 top show up”. As the only gig in town to get dinner, I find it wildly unprofessional to pull a move like this. Because you had a large table show up? Good that’s the business you’re in figure it out be thankful and serve the rest of your customers like every other small business tries to do. I would have 0 problem being told I may have to wait a little longer to get my meal. Stick to your hours. Currently paying the gas station employees to microwave frozen meals for us.Food & drinks: Hours are a complete and total lie. Will turn down customers when they please.

Gayle Saunders

2024-01

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Anthony Quintano

2023-10

My wife and I are staying in Brighton at an airbnb to photograph fall foliage and stopped here for dinner our first night in town. The service is great and the food is not only delicious but very visually presentable. I had the steak bites and my wife had the chicken vino. The steak was very juicy, ordered medium. The chicken was flavorful and juicy too. The place was decently packed but we had no wait and were sat as soon as we walked in. So far this is our most favorite place to eat in town.

Edwin Mathews

2024-03

Cool spot in a neat little town. Great food and drinks. Friendly staff!Rooms: Clean and cozy..Food & drinks: Lunch and dinner are both great!

Derek Flynn

2024-04

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Michele T

2023-11

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Margaret Honan

2023-08

7.17.22 We didn't stay here. We only had dinner. Upon entering the lobby I was pleasantly surprised at how nice and modern it was given the area which is very out-of-date, old and plain. A hostess walked us over to the bar area and our drinks and dinner were served quickly. Our waitress even offered to split our bill when we paid. Food was delicious. My glass of wine was $8 so that's very reasonable.

Steven Learned

2023-05

Wife and I ate dinner here, though this was not our first choice. We had a great time! The menu is varied, from simple things like burgers, to nicer Fair like grilled salmon. We sat outside. The staff was friendly, prompt, and knowledgeable. The shrimp crostini was amazing, and the grilled romaine salad exceptional. My only negative was that my risotto was very soupy and overcooked. The salmon topping it was tasty, however. Will definitely go back!

D “Sissy” Hershberger

2024-01

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David Gaudreau

2023-11

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Karen Kirk

2023-09

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Khorlo Johnston

2023-05

I live in Montreal and head over to Vermont every two weeks for an ATV riding weekend with my son. We have stayed in small hotels, Inns and lodges in rural areas all over Vermont. This is by far our favourite place to date. The room was clean, comfortable and cool (ac 👍🏻). The food was was really good, even my picky son finished his plate. The service couldn’t have been better, and the hotel host took such good care of us and made sure that we had everything we need. We will definitely return.

Soup10

2023-05

Room was not clean bed was rough and old. We had a suite so the AC was in the bedroom only so the other areas were very warm and the noise downstairs even if you expect it until the Tavern closes goes on LONG after with employees. It's clear only the eatery and Tavern patrons matterThey also have all hotel and restaurant patrons using the same door not cool

Kristen Guillette

2022-05

While the food is delicious and our servers were delightful it took a very long time to get out food. We had a large group of about 20 people, but it took almost 2 hours for everyone to have their food and the food came out at all different times. I think it was probably just a result of the kitchen not being staffed to handle that size of party.Some people had little kids and left with their food in to go containers because the kids needed to get home and go to bed.

Julie C

2022-05

You will not leave this place hungry! Food is great, portions are huge, and staff is very friendly and attentive. We sat in the dining room area, and we had plenty of room. Note - the bathroom is just for 1 person so you have to keep an eye out for who's in there.

Eric Potter

2020-05

My family had dinner here one Friday evening. It was busy but there was a table ready for the 6 of us. All of the staff we meet were very friendly and helpful. We had a mix of vegitarian and meat dishes and they were all great. The craft beer selection is also great. We started with the pretzels and they were warm and delicious. We finished our meals and shared two desserts and they were out of this world! A great place in a small town and definitely worth a stop.

Bill H

2022-05

Best place in town. The wait/bar staff that night (July 1st) were amazing. It was a very busy night and the service was terrific. I will definitely return.The only blemish on the bar is that the metal ceiling makes it very loud there. Despite that, still really enjoy it there.

Esme West

2022-05

Always a great experience here!The food is excellent, with an ample and varied menu, so there's something for everyone (and I am vegan!)The servers are super friendly and efficient, and the prices are what I would consider moderate.So if you are visiting Island Pond, treat yourself to lunch or dinner here! Enjoy!

Zachary Suddaby

2023-05

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norman peters

2021-05

I have been driving by this place for a year and on Mother's Day I decided to stop. Glad I did. Lunch was busy but was able to find a seat at the bar. Had bacon wrapped scallops. Wish I had taken a picture. Also had the fish n chips. Expertly cooked. Not too much breading or over cooked. The only thing that I didn't like was the coleslaw as was lacking in taste and dressing.Too bad I waited so long to stop

Mark Magnant

2020-05

Food and service is excellent! We came with some friends that live near here and they come here a lot. We had the Cheese curds, Poutine, Haddock sandwich, veggie melt and onion rings. My girlfriend couldn’t stop raving about the veggie melt made with Havarti-dill cheese. Would definitely come back for any of those items but would like to try many items from the rest of the menu. Debbie B. was our outstanding server and was very nice and talkative. Great experience!

Einar Rathgeber

2022-05

Well...sometimes you learn a lesson. I had high hopes for the Essex House Tavern because my neighbors in the NEK spoke so highly about it. We stopped to discover for ourselves how it was since we have some guests coming to visit and wanted to know what the talk was about. Arriving for a midweek dinner, I liked the casual atmosphere of the tavern and the jovial banter coming from the bar area. The tavern is a unique mix of nostalgia and modern industrial lighting with a long menu that seemed too aggressive for the dining experience. Staff was attentive and friendly, but almost a little too aloof in terms of the meal/product/experience they were representing...the attitude being: "We're the only option in town, so you'll like it!" I don't go for that. It doesn't matter if you're the only meal for 100 miles or the standout restaurant among 100, you must acknowledge that your food may have defects and be prepared to cater to individual tastes. With that said, the food... I enjoyed the maple glazed fries as an appetizer. Who knew that the combination of maple and pretzel salt on hand-cut (doubtful...probably frozen) fries would be such a delight. I should have stopped there. I sampled the specials with a Chipotle Glazed Salmon that seemed fresh from the freezer banquet fare, complete with a cheap limp side of "vegetable medley." The zucchini slices were thin enough to see through. The salmon was thick and randomly bony and gummy in places. The glaze was slathered on and there was little chef/kitchen creativity in the presentation. I was shocked by the speed of delivery -- another telltale sign of pre-packaged/prepared and quickly nuked foods. A baked potato arrived plate-side with runny packages of butter, but a hefty serving of sour cream sans chives. The second sample was the shrimp scampi. I knew from the get-go the dish was a disaster. The shrimp were curled up in fear from being overcooked, and an attempted bite confirmed that they were likely twice cooked -- rubbery, chewy, and tasteless. A bowl of chili from the starters menu was delivered cold in the middle, and tasted of Hormel. In short, hit the Tavern for a draught and conversation -- and the maple fries, but leave the serious dining for another place and time. The Tavern disappointed, the way banquet restaurants that cater to busloads of foliage seeking seniors will disappoint.

Davis Holt

2023-07

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John Blouin

2024-02

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Sally Mummey

2023-08

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Art Shinners

2020-05

We went here for lunch with our kids ages 2 and 6. Service was good and the food was great. Portion size was fine everything was cooked well and prices were fair. You can tell that they have worked really hard to update this place and it shows. We will definitely be back next time we are camping in IP.

Aubrey Marigny

2023-05

The food is always good and the service is good too !! The bartender was my favorite I forgot her name but she knows my dad Larry ,and a lot of people from what I saw, by name and it’s just good to have that personal experience

Jolanta Riel

2022-05

Have eaten here many times and it has been good, however, service has slipped dramatically. The “we’re short staffed” excuse no longer flies when restaurants expect you to spend $100 on a meal and get horrible service. Hostess was rude and waitress ignored us and did not even offer water. Walked out after waiting 2 hours and not getting food. Ruined date night.

Imagine Revolution

2023-05

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Paula Foy

2020-05

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