South Boston's dining scene has received a notable boost with the recent opening of a dual-concept restaurant that boasts the city's largest rooftop space at the Cambria Downtown Boston Hotel. According to NBC Boston, the restaurant, named The Essex, along with its scenic Essex Rooftop, offer West Coast-inspired dishes and drinks with panoramic views of the city, with live palms and gold accents downstairs and a tropical vibe on the rooftop furnished in colorful, bright patio decor, Kristin Jenkins a respected name in the Boston restaurant scene, is the driving force behind this venture, and is already renowned for her success with 1928 Beacon Hill.
The Essex and Essex Rooftop represent two distinct dining experiences, both open daily, where downstairs, The Essex serves its patrons near the hotel lobby with a more static, though no less sophisticated, ambiance than its upstairs counterpart and the venue soft-launched earlier in the year, the rooftop space just recently made its sky-high debut at the end of May. According to a MassLive interview with Jenkins, she expressed her enthusiasm for the project stating, "Opening The Essex and Essex Rooftop represents an exciting evolution in my culinary journey."
Guests at The Essex can start their mornings with breakfast offerings available throughout the week, while those seeking nighttime indulgence can take part in dinner services that extend until midnight. The menu isn't shy about its inspirations, serving dishes such as Cavatelli pasta sprinkled with spicy sausage and kale, and a burger that carries the Essex namesake. As for the Essex Rooftop, aside from the substantial cocktail list featuring The Side Door, a blend of Hennessy, passionfruit, and lemon, patrons can sample more than a dozen small plates like beef carpaccio, a mezze board rich with dips, and a luxurious lobster roll.
The new rooftop setting, draped with views of Boston's skyline, including Southie and Back Bay, comes as an alluring addition to the city's hospitality landscape; as dusk falls and the city lights flicker to life, guests can savor not only the sights but also a carefully curated selection of more than a dozen cocktails, Essex Rooftop is open later into the evening, catering to both after-work crowds and night owls looking to relish the alfresco ambiance until the stroke of midnight. But it's not just about the beverages; the food has also been crafted to impress, with selections ranging from a salmon crudo so fresh it nearly leaps from the plate, a creamy burrata, to a carefully crafted lobster roll that can act as a light reprieve amidst the bustling nightlife of Boston.
