On October 6, I dropped by Essex Public House for a beer (okay, two) and Greg Link updated me on changes to the Hollywood gastropub he co-owns with Hunter Hensley. Eater LA reported that executive chef Christopher Ennis departed Essex last month. The partners retained his sous chef, Matt Couser, and Link says they remain committed to producing “bar food with a higher quality.”

To start, Essex no longer serves lunch. Instead, they’re open daily from 4 PM – 2 AM, using a single menu. During football season, they open on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 AM.

New dishes include Honey Habanero Wings (8 for $10, 16 for $16) coated with house honey habanero sauce and served with blue cheese dip; Essex Mac + Cheese ($11) with white cheddar, Manchego, mozzarella, mascarpone and bacon stuffed peppadew peppers; The Caesar ($9) with romaine, Parmesan, crouton and homemade Caesar dressing; a Spicy Pulled Pork sandwich ($10) with braised pulled pork, spicy BBQ and cheddar on a sweet bun; BBQ Bacon Burger ($11) with house-ground sirloin, onion ring, smoked bacon, cheddar and spicy BBQ sauce; The Blue Burger ($11) with house-ground sirloin, smoked bacon, mushroom, shallots, blue cheese and “house sauce.” The chorizo pizza also changed to pepperoni.

They now feature a daily happy hour from 4 PM – 7 PM, including $4 draught beers.

CLICK HERE FOR THE HAPPY HOUR MENU

Link and Hensley have re-enlisted Spacecraft designer Kristofer Keith to alter the outer room, which was open-air. Now a glass door will divide the two rooms so people can smoke outside. The outer room will also host its own bar.

Related Posts

1. Essex Public House Debuts in Hollywood
2. Essex Pub Expected to Debut By March 18
3. Details about Essex, Hollywood pub opening July 1
4. Public House Preview with Photos
5. Chicken House Debuts in Little Armenia

1. Pingback: Oh My God! Lets BBQ » Blog Archive » Checking in on Essex Public House, Post-Ennis on October 8, 2009

4 Comments

1. Lizabeth, October 8, 2009:

   It remains to be seen if the dumbing down of their previously interesting (for bar food) menu will retain the high (for bar food) quality I experienced both times I ate there before the exit of Ennis. I’ll eat there again soon & let you know.

2. Joshua Lurie, October 8, 2009:

   I wouldn’t say the Essex menu is dumbed down. If anything, there are more options than before, and you’ll still find popular dishes like “figs in a blanket.” It will be interesting to see if the quality will suffer with Ennis gone. Please report back.

3. Liz, October 10, 2009:

   I guess the addition of hot wings and changing the pizza feels to me like they are definitely catering to the football crowd. We will definitely be going again, as it is an easy bus ride from our house and we love people watching in Hollywood.

4. Steve Durie, February 7, 2010:

   I ate here on Friday Feb. 5th and have been sick for 2 days. The atmosphere is a joke, but that I could live with, the gut wrenching food is obviously enough to kill you. What an awful experience.

This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass.