About

Essie’s is an elegant yet casual dining American restaurant located in the heart of the Little Italy section of Poughkeepsie, NY under the direction of Executive Chef Brandon Walker a CIA graduate from Brooklyn, NY. Chef Walker's Modern American menu is inspired by global flavors and his family roots from the Caribbean and American South. Chef Walker uses modern cooking techniques and local seasonal ingredients when available to support the local food economy and to show case the best ingredients that the Hudson Valley offers. The Dining room pays homage to the things of old with vintage, industrial, and reclaimed wood features to create a cozy, warm and inviting environment.

Brandon Walker

Executive Chef/Owner

Chef Brandon Walker, a Brooklyn native, is the executive chef/owner of Essie’s Restaurant in Poughkeepsie NY. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY and has a range of professional experiences in the culinary arts. His experiences have been in renowned New York City restaurants along with traveling around the world to further expand on his global knowledge of culinary arts.
Chef Walker was drawn to Poughkeepsie, NY and the Hudson Valley Region because of its rich culture of artisans. Immersing himself in the food scene; he has worked in some of the best local restaurants in the Hudson Valley and received numerous accolades for creating seasonal menus that uniquely displayed his cooking style, along with utilizing ingredients from local farmers and purveyors.

Chef Walker founded B&L Hospitality in 2014, B&L Hospitality is the Hudson Valley’s premier restaurant group. His mission is to "Create Memories with Exceptional Food and Service" through all of his restaurant concepts. In June 2016 Chef Walker opened Essie’s restaurant. Essie’s is a place that showcases Walker’s globally influenced cuisine but also pays homage to his grandmother and the women in his family who are great cooks and are the reason his interest in food was ignited. Since the opening of Essie’s Chef walker has received reviews and accolades from the Poughkeepsie journal, Hudson Valley Network News, Khaleej Times, Parlour magazine, Daily Voice, Chronogram, Edible Hudson Valley, Verizon FiOS Restaurant Hunters, and Best of the Hudson Valley 2017 from Hudson Valley Magazine for delivering outstanding food and Service. He was also featured on Food Networks show Re-Wrapped "Ritzy Business" and a finalist on Chopped Episode "Sweet and Sour".
Chef Walker believes in his community and gives back by getting involved with local profit and non-profit organizations. Annually he educates a women’s group that focuses to improve their eating and cooking skills using local products, workforce development and mentoring to young men and women seeking a career in the culinary arts, and several fund raisers that provide services to his communities underserved.

Chef Brandon Walker, a Brooklyn native, is the executive chef/owner of Essie’s Restaurant in Poughkeepsie NY. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY and has a range of professional experiences in the culinary arts. His experiences have been in renowned New Yor...

Starters

Grit Croquettes 11
Garlic aioli

Crispy Plantains 13
Scallions, lime-garlic cream, espelette

Jerk Ribs 15.5
Sherry-tamarind glaze

Shareable

MGG 15
Mushrooms, cheddar-scallion grits, collard greens, bacon

Chicory Kale Salad 16 (gf) (V)
Kale, radicchio, bacon, almonds, radish, blue cheese, prunes, apple cider vinaigrette

Roasted Beet Nachos 15 (V)
Tomatillos, citrus sour cream, cotija, scallions, chipotle, bitter onion vinaigrette

Small Plate Add-ons: Chicken 8 Steak 9 Shrimp 11

Sweets

Cherry-Blueberry Sorbet 9.5

Elaine's Cheese Cake 9.5 (gf)
Poached pear, cinnamon-allspice crumble

(V) These items are vegan or can be made vegan

(gf) These items are gluten free or can be made gluten free

*20% service charge will be added on parties of 8 or more

Eggs N' Things

Frittata 12 (gf)
Ask your server for today's preparation

Belgium Waffles 12
Vanilla butter, local syrup

Red Velvet Waffles 14
Vanilla butter, local syrup

Crispy Chicken Sandwich 16
Lettuce, tomato, onion, sriracha aioli, potato wedges or green salad

Chicken N' Waffle 16
Local honey, vanilla butter, local syrup

Chicken N' Red Velvet Waffle 20
Local honey, vanilla butter, local syrup

Kilcoyne Farm Burger 17
Lettuce, tomato, onion, potato wedges or green salad

Burger & Sandwich add-ons: Cheese 2 Bacon 2 Egg 1.5

Extras

Cheddar scallion grits 9

Essie's hand cut wedges 9

Collard greens 9

Spiced Plantains 9

Crispy Root Fries 9.5

Parm Wedges 9.5

Starters

Grit Croquettes 11
Garlic aioli

Crispy Plantains 13 (V)
Scallions, garlic cream, chipotle, espelette, cotija, tajin

Jerk Ribs 15.5
Sherry-tamarind glaze

Shareable

MGG 15
Mushrooms, cheddar-scallion grits, collard greens, bacon

Chicory Kale Salad 16 (gf) (V)
Kale, radicchio, bacon, almonds, radish, blue cheese, prunes, apple cider vinaigrette

Roasted Beet Nachos 15 (V)
Tomatillos, citrus sour cream, cotija, scallions, chipotle, bitter onion vinaigrette

Small Plate Add-ons: Chicken 8 Steak 9 Shrimp 11

Plates

Pan Roasted Chicken 24
Butternut squash, pearl onions, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, poultry broth

West African Scented Flat Iron 30 (gf)
Potato, yucca, carrots, tamarind peppercorn sauce

Braised Pork Shank 27 (gf)
Collard greens, sweet potato, parsnips, prune mustard jus

Extras

Cheddar scallion grits 9

Essie's hand cut wedges 9

Collard greens 9

Spiced Plantains 9

Crispy Root Fries 9.5

Parm Wedges 9.5

Sweets

Local Berry Sorbet 9.5

Red Velvet Sponge Cake 9.5
Cream cheese, toasted almond praline, chocolate sauce

Elaine's Cheese Cake 9.5 (gf)
Poached pear, cinnamon-allspice crumble

(V) These items are vegan or can be made vegan

(gf) These items are gluten free or can be made gluten free

*20% service charge will be added on parties of 8 or more

Cocktails

Sorrell Rum Punch 11
Wray & nephew rum, appleton estate rum, hibiscus, ginger, angostura bitters

Dragon Fruit Sour 11
Dragon fruit vodka, lemon, simple syrup, egg, bitters

Pineapple Mojito 12
Pineapple Rum, lime, simple syrup, mint

Grapefruit Gimlet 16
Vail fog gin, grapefruit, lime, simple syrup, grapefruit bitters

The Trinidadian 13
Scarlet ibis rum, smith & cross rum, cardamaro, lemon, angostura bitters

French Melon Sidecar 17
Cognac, French melon liquor, cointreau, lemon

Essie's Crafted Sour Series

Classic Whiskey Sour 11
Evan williams bourbon, lemon, simple syrup, egg white, bitters

Smoked Whiskey Sour 11
Lapsang-bourbon lemon, simple syrup, bitters

Smoked Orange Whiskey 11
Lapsang-bourbon orange, lemon, simple syrup, bitters

Samurai Whiskey Sour 12
Suntory whiskey, lemon, simple syrup, egg white, bitters

Orange Whiskey Sour 11
Evan williams bourbon, orange, lemon, simple syrup, bitters

Samurai Gin Sour 13
Roku gin, yuzu, cucumber, mint, egg white, simple syrup

Cucumber-Mint Vodka Sour 11
Infused vodka, lemon, simple syrup, egg white, cardamom bitters

Orange Vodka Sour 11
Infused vodka, orange, lemon, simple syrup, egg white, bitters

Peach Vodka Sour 11
Infused peach vodka, lemon, simple syrup, egg white, bitters

Mango Habanero Sour 11
Infused mango habanero vodka, lime, simple syrup, egg white, bitters

Samurai Vodka Sour 11
Haku vodka, lemon, simple syrup, egg white

Bottles & Cans

Newburgh Cream Ale 5.5

Stella Artois 6

Erdinger (Non-Alcoholic) 5

Shacksbury Rose Cider 6

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Boyland Soda's 2.5

Hibiscus Lemonade 3.5

Iced-Tea 3.5

After Dinner Drinks

Bourbon

Infuse Broken Barrel 10

Infuse Cask Strength 12

Beacon Bourbon 12

Widow Jane 10yr 18

Hillrock Solera Aged 20

Barrell Bourbon Batch #18/#19 20/22

New Southern Revival Jimmy Red Corn 22

Whiskey/Rye

Iwai mars Whiskey Traditional 14

Ragtime Rye 12

Dorado Smoked Mesquite 13

Hudson Manhattan Rye 13

Whistle Pig Straight Rye 12yr 29

Whistle Pig Straight Rye 15yr 53

Cognac/Brandy/Armagnac

Armagnac E. Artiguelongue Vsop 11

Pierre Ferrand 12

Hennessy Black 15

Hennessy Vsop 15

Watermelon Brandy 17

Armagnac Darroze 20yr 21

Scotch

Isle of Sky Blended Scotch Whiskey 12yr 9

Macallan Single Malt 12yr 18

Balvenie Single Malt 14yr 20

Wines

Mead

Currant Rose 13
Slate Point Meadery, Pleasant Valley, NY, Usa

Basil-Mint 13
Mysto Mead, Carmel, NY, Usa

Sparkling 6oz/9oz/Btl

Macebeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo 9/N/A/36
Dibon Cava Brut Reserve, Catalonia, Spain, NV

Garnacha 11/N/A/44
Dibon Cava Brut Reserve, Catalonia, Spain, NV

Rosé 6oz/9oz/Btl

Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah 12/17/48
La Source Gabriel, Cote de Provence, France, 2019

Whites 6oz/9oz/Btl

Chardonnay 9/12/36
Peirano Estate Vineyards, Lodi, California, Usa, 2017

Pinot Gris 9/12/36
Ant Moore, Malborough, New Zealand, 2017

Sauvignon Blanc 9/12/36
Ant Moore, Malborough, New Zealand, 2019

Chardonnay, Garganega, Riesling 10/14/40
Custoza, Farina, San Pietro In Cariano, Italy, 2019

Pinot Grigio 10/14/40
Le Colline Di San Giorgio, Breganze, Italy, 2019

Chenin Blanc 12/17/48
Lubanzi, South Africa, 2019

Pinot Gris 52
O.P.P., Willamette Valley, Oregon, Usa, 2019

Silvaner 59
Rainer Sauer, Franken, Germany, 2015

Chardonnay 77
Domaine Guerrin, Pouilly-Fuissé, Burgundy, France, 2016

Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne 89
Domaine Du Vieux, Chateauneuf-du-pape, France, 2016

Reds 6oz/9oz/Btl

Barbera 10/14/40
Sassaia, Barbera Del Monferrato, Italy, 2018

Malbec 10/14/40
Les Traversets, Domaine La Berangeraie, Cahors, France, 2017

Cabernet Sauvignon 12/17/48
Oblivion, Paso Robles ,California, Usa, 2018

Shiraz, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan 12/17/48
Lubanzi, South Africa, 2017

Pinot Noir 12/17/48
Esser, Monterey, California, Usa, 2017

Cannonau 13/18/53
Cannonau, ifiori, Pala, Sardegna, Italy, 2018

Mondeuse 59
Denis et Didier Berthollier, Vin de Savoie, France, 2018

Cabernet Franc 61
Osmote Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York, Usa, 2018

Pinot Noir 69
Sancerre, Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy, Loire Valley, France, 2018

Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault 65
Bandol, La Bastide Blanche, Provence, France, 2015

Sweet Wines

Port 9
Ferreira, Dona Antonia, Reserve Porto, NV

Muscat 14
Vignoble, Alan Ignace, Muscat Beaumes De Venise, France 2015

Madeira
10-year, Henriques &henriques portugal, nv 12
15-year, Henriques &henriques portugal, nv 17

Digestifs

Pasubio 7
Carpono Antica 7
Amaro sfumato rabarbaro 7

Chef Walker's Reserve Wines

Sparkling

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir 119
Nicolas Maillart, Millesime, Champagne, France, 2008

White

Chardonnay 112
Mouton, Oregogne, Willamette Valley, Oregon, Usa, 2014

Roussanne 121
Domaine Raymond Usseglio, Rhone, France, 2015

Chardonnay 129
Calera Chardonnay, Mt Harlan, Ca,Usa, 2015

Chardonnay 144
Domaine Alain Chavy, Puligny-Montrachet Blanc, Burgundy, France, 2015

Red

Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah 114
Chaos Theory, Brown Estate, Napa Valley, Ca, Usa, 2013

Pinot Noir 120
Mouton, Oregogne, Willamette Valley, Oregon, Usa, 2013

Zinfandel 126
Brown Estate, Napa Valley, Ca., Usa, 2014

Merlot, Cabernet Franc 131
Chateau Bellegrave, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2010

Hours & Location

View Essie's Restaurant at 14 Mount Carmel Place,
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 on Google Maps
Call Essie's Restaurant by phone at 845-452-7181

Get Directions

Hours Of Operation

Monday –Closed

Tuesday–Closed

Cocktail Hour: Wednesday–Saturday 4pm-6pm

Dinner: Wednesday–Thursday 4:00pm–8:00pm

Friday–Saturday 4:00pm–8:00pm

Brunch: Saturday–11:00am-3:00pm

Sunday–11:00am-3:30pm

Parking

Parking is available for Essie’s Restaurant in the municipal parking lot on Delafield St. under the walkway over the Hudson. Additional parking is located on Dutchess Ave. and Verazzano Blvd.

Catering

Let us take the stress away from you by planning your next event at Essie’s or at your desired venue. Whether it be a corporate or business lunch, wedding or a private gathering, we are available to accommodate you for a variety of occasions. Our mission is to “Create Memories with Exceptional Service and Food”,please complete the inquiry form to begin planning your next event with us.

About

Brandon Walker

Executive Chef/Owner

Menu

Starters

Shareable

Sweets

Eggs N' Things

Extras

Starters

Shareable

Plates

Extras

Sweets

Cocktails

Bottles & Cans

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

After Dinner Drinks

Bourbon

Whiskey/Rye

Cognac/Brandy/Armagnac

Scotch

Wines

Mead

Sparkling 6oz/9oz/Btl

Rosé 6oz/9oz/Btl

Whites 6oz/9oz/Btl

Reds 6oz/9oz/Btl

Sweet Wines

Digestifs

Chef Walker's Reserve Wines

Sparkling

White

Red

Hours & Location

Hours Of Operation

Catering

News

Mother's Day To Go Dinner

Online Ordering

Gift Cards Anyone???? Purchase Gift Cards Now Online On Our Website!!!

Press

Visit Our Press Kit Here

Parlour Magazine

Your Weekend Getaway In…Dutchess County, NY!

Rural Intelligence

WHERE TO EAT WHEN YOU’RE PRE- OR POST-WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON

Get Lost With Jackie

A Fabulously Fall Weekend in Dutchess County

How do Chefs Remain Inspired

Hudson Valley Eats

Seasoned Just Right

The Poughkeepsie Journal

Great tastes: Best things we ate this year

The Poughkeepsie Journal

Taste of New Paltz showcases diverse flavors from around the world

Cocktail Competition 2017 | Peony Vodka

The Poughkeepsie Journal

Stories behind chefs' signature dishes

Hudson Valley Eat Beat

Essie's Restaurant

Southwest Dutchess Daily Voice

Restaurateur Finds La Famiglia, Success In Poughkeepsie's Little Italy

www.annemarieleamy.org

Essie’s in Poughkeepsie. – Simply Old-Fashioned

Edible Hudson Valley

Squash Cassoulet with Cashew Cream

Chronogram Magazine

Bounty of the Valley

The Poughkeepsie Journal

Essie's Restaurant brings Hudson Valley fare, global flair

North Country Rambler

Essie's Restaurant ~ Poughkeepsie

Hudson Valley News Network

Essie’s Restaurant Coming to Little Italy Poughkeepsie

Contact