Essex Bar & Bistro Menu (2025 Update)
Welcome to Essex Bar & Bistro, a delightful culinary escape nestled in the heart of Charlotte, NC. The menu showcases an exquisite blend of flavors, perfect for both casual lunches and elegant dinners. Each dish is crafted with care, from the rich Shrimp & Grits featuring creamy texture and bold creole sauce to the exotic Butter Chicken, marinated in authentic Indian spices.
- Lamb Kefta, paired with tahini and hummus, is a must-try for meat lovers.
- Don’t miss out on the Falafel and refreshing Quinoa Salad for a lighter option.
- Indulge your sweet tooth with decadent desserts like Chocolate Fudge Cake or Cheesecake.
With consistently excellent service and a warm atmosphere, Essex Bar & Bistro is truly a hidden gem worth revisiting!
LUNCH - Appetizers/Soup/Salad
Hummus
chickpeas, harissa, olive oil, garlic naan
Fried Cauliflower
chickpea tempura, curry sauce, tamarind glaze, herb tomato sauce, candied pecans
FALAFEL
chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, Mediterranean mix, tahini, harissa
Essex Dip Trio
pimento cheese, guacamole, feta-yogurt, garlic naan
Bang Bang Grouper
fresh grouper, spicy mayo, scallions, Szechuan sauce, sesame seeds, kim-chi glaze
Fried Artichokes
Fried artichokes, Greek yogurt, balsamic glaze, arugula, parmesan, almonds
Cup Tomato Soup
served with half Essex baugette
Bowl Tomato Soup
Served with Essex baugette
Warm Brussel Sprout Caesar
grilled chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, asiago caesar dressing
Greek Salad
tomatoes, cucumbers, romaine, feta, vinegar, olive oil kalamata olives, zaatar
Beet Salad
arugula, candied pecans, feta-yogurt, shaved parmesan, Sherry vinaigrette
Quinoa Salad
quinoa, parsley, scallions, roasted almonds, feta cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, lemon juice, olive oil
Burrata Carpaccio
Fig jam, pistachios, extra virgin olive oil, served with house bread.
Salmon Sandwich
grilled salmon, house-made tartar sauce, arugula, roasted tomatoes, brioche bun
Essex Italian
Chicken Shawarma Pita
chicken shawarma, red cabbage slaw, tahini, harissa, house-made pocket pita
Chicken Brie 'LT
grilled chicken breast, candied bacon, brie spread, roasted tomato, arugula, on brioche bread
Pimento Cheese Burger
pimento cheese, crispy onions, brioche bun
Falafel Pita
House made pocket pita, red cabbage slaw, tahini, harissa.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
fried chicken, honey buffalo sauce, dill pickle, mayo, slaw, brioche bun
Philly Cheese Steak
sliced steak, onions & peppers, four cheese sauce
Essex Cheeseburger
American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, brioche bun
LUNCH - SANDWICHES
LUNCH - FLATBREADS
Mortadella & Arugula
Pistachio & Pesto
Braised Short Rib Flatbread
garlic cream sauce, mozzarella, herb ricotta, braised short rib, shaved parmesan
Margherita Flatbread
tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, oven-roasted tomato
Sausage Bacon Pepperoni Ham Fb
Blackened Grouper Tacos
Grilled Steak Tacos
three white corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, red pepper salsa, avocado mousse, micro cilantro, queso fresco.
Tempura Shrimp Tacos
three white corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, red pepper salsa, avocado mousse, micro cilantro, queso fresco.
Grilled Chicken Tacos
three white corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, red pepper salsa, avocado mousse, micro cilantro, queso fresco.
LUNCH - TACOS
LUNCH - BISTRO PLATES
Mediterranean Bowl
bulgar wheat, Israeli salad, cabbage slaw, hummus, tahini. Choice or beef or chicken shawarma or falafel
Lamb Kefta
lamb kefta, tahini, hummus, red cabbage, grilled tomato, onion and zucchini
Grilled Salmon
creamy tomato sauce, grilled broccolini
Butter Chicken
marinated in Indian spices, herb tomato sauce. choice of rice or a garlic naan
Shrimp & Grits
creamy grits and shrimp, creole sauce, red peppers, andouille sausage, onions, chives, shaved parmesan
Chicken Schnitzel
breaded chicken cutlet, arugula, red onion, parmesan, cherry tomatoes, lemon olive oil
Broccolini
Carrots & Celery
Cheese Grits
Na'an
Regular Fries
Side Bacon
Side Chicken Shawarma
Side Falafel
Side Grilled Chicken
Side Grilled Shrimp Skewer
Side Harrisa
Side Rice
Side Salmon
Side Tzatziki
Small Brussels Caesar
Small Greek Salad
Sweet Potato Fries
LUNCH - SIDES
LUNCH - Beverages
Pepsi
Diet Pepsi
Sierra Mist
Mountain Dew
Dr. Pepper
Sweet Tea
Unsweet Tea
San Pelligrino Bottle
Aqua Panna Bottle
Hummus
chickpeas, harissa, olive oil, garlic naan
Fried Cauliflower
chickpea tempura, curry sauce, tamarind glaze, herb tomato sauce, candied pecans
FALAFEL
chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, Mediterranean mix, tahini, harissa
Essex Dip Trio
pimento cheese, guacamole, feta-yogurt, garlic naan
Bang Bang Grouper
fresh grouper, spicy mayo, scallions, Szechuan sauce, sesame seeds, kim-chi glaze
Fried Artichokes
Fried artichokes, Greek yogurt, balsamic glaze, arugula, parmesan, almonds
Cup Tomato Soup
served with half Essex baugette
Bowl Tomato Soup
Served with Essex baugette
Warm Brussel Sprout Caesar
grilled chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, asiago caesar dressing
Greek Salad
tomatoes, cucumbers, romaine, feta, vinegar, olive oil kalamata olives, zaatar
Beet Salad
arugula, candied pecans, feta-yogurt, shaved parmesan, Sherry vinaigrette
Quinoa Salad
quinoa, parsley, scallions, roasted almonds, feta cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, lemon juice, olive oil
Burrata Carpaccio
Fig jam, pistachios, extra virgin olive oil, served with house bread.
Appetizers/Soup/Salad
SANDWICHES
Salmon Sandwich
grilled salmon, house-made tartar sauce, arugula, roasted tomatoes, brioche bun
Essex Italian
Chicken Shawarma Pita
chicken shawarma, red cabbage slaw, tahini, harissa, house-made pocket pita
Chicken Brie 'LT
grilled chicken breast, candied bacon, brie spread, roasted tomato, arugula, on brioche bread
Pimento Cheese Burger
pimento cheese, crispy onions, brioche bun
Falafel Pita
House made pocket pita, red cabbage slaw, tahini, harissa.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
fried chicken, honey buffalo sauce, dill pickle, mayo, slaw, brioche bun
Philly Cheese Steak
sliced steak, onions & peppers, four cheese sauce
Essex Cheeseburger
American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, brioche bun
Mortadella & Arugula
Pistachio & Pesto
Braised Short Rib Flatbread
garlic cream sauce, mozzarella, herb ricotta, braised short rib, shaved parmesan
Margherita Flatbread
tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, oven-roasted tomato
Sausage Bacon Pepperoni Ham Fb
SAUSAGE BACON HAM PEPPERONI FB
tomato sauce, mozzarella, herb ricotta, sausage, bacon, ham, pepperoni
FLATBREADS
TACOS
Blackened Grouper Tacos
Grilled Steak Tacos
three white corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, red pepper salsa, avocado mousse, micro cilantro, queso fresco.
Tempura Shrimp Tacos
three white corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, red pepper salsa, avocado mousse, micro cilantro, queso fresco.
Grilled Chicken Tacos
three white corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, red pepper salsa, avocado mousse, micro cilantro, queso fresco.
Mediterranean Bowl
bulgar wheat, Israeli salad, cabbage slaw, hummus, tahini. Choice or beef or chicken shawarma or falafel
Lamb Kefta
lamb kefta, tahini, hummus, red cabbage, grilled tomato, onion and zucchini
Grilled Salmon
creamy tomato sauce, grilled broccolini
Butter Chicken
marinated in Indian spices, herb tomato sauce. choice of rice or a garlic naan
Shrimp & Grits
creamy grits and shrimp, creole sauce, red peppers, andouille sausage, onions, chives, shaved parmesan
Chicken Schnitzel
breaded chicken cutlet, arugula, red onion, parmesan, cherry tomatoes, lemon olive oil
BISTRO PLATES
SIDES
Broccolini
Carrots & Celery
Cheese Grits
Na'an
Regular Fries
Side Bacon
Side Chicken Shawarma
Side Falafel
Side Grilled Chicken
Side Grilled Shrimp Skewer
Side Harrisa
Side Rice
Side Salmon
Side Tzatziki
Small Brussels Caesar
Small Greek Salad
Sweet Potato Fries
CELERY AND CARROTS
Churrasco Skewer
EXTRA CRISPY PITA
FRIES
Mediterranean Chicken Skewer
Mixed Veggies
RICE
Shrimp Skewer
Side Broccollini
Side Roasted Potatoes
Side Salmon Filet
Side Zucchini
Small Brussel
Small Greek
Pepsi
Diet Pepsi
Sierra Mist
Mountain Dew
Dr. Pepper
Sweet Tea
Unsweet Tea
San Pelligrino Bottle
Aqua Panna Bottle
Beverages
DINNER - TO START
FALAFEL
chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, Mediterranean mix, tahini, harissa
ESSEX DIP TRIO
pimento cheese, guacamole, feta-yogurt, Essex baguette
HUMMUS
chickpeas, garlic, harissa, Essex baguette
FRIED ARTICHOKES
greek yogurt, balsamic glaze, arugula, parmesan, almonds
CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE
chef’s selection of fine meats & cheeses, assorted accoutrements, Essex baguette
CHEESE PLATTER
CHARCUTERIE PLATTER
FRIED CAULIFLOWER
chickpea tempura, curry sauce, tamarind glaze, herb tomato sauce, candied pecans
MEDITERRANEAN DIP TRIO
hummus, tzatziki, spicy eggplant & butternut, squash salad, Essex baguette
BURRATA CARPACIO
WARM BRUSSELS CAESAR
house-made bread crumbs, parmesan, herbs, asiago caesar dressing
FRESH MARKET SALAD
cucumber, tomato, avocado, red onion, artichoke hearts, mediterranean olives, feta, zaatar, parsley, Greek vinaigrette
BEET SALAD
arugula, candied pecans, feta-yogurt, shaved parmesan, sherry vinaigrette
QUINOA SALAD
quinoa, parsley, scallions, roasted almonds, feta cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, lemon, olive oil
DINNER - FROM THE GARDEN
DINNER - FLATBREADS
SAUSAGE BACON HAM PEPPERONI FB
tomato sauce, mozzarella, herb ricotta, sausage, bacon, ham, pepperoni
BRAISED SHORT RIB FLATBREAD
MARGHERITA FLATBREAD
MORTADELLA & ARUGULA
PISTACHIO & PESTO
LAMB CHOP LOLLIPOPS
grilled lamb chops over tzatziki, olive oil roasted fingerling potatoes
ASIAN STYLE SKIRT STEAK
szechuan sauce, parsnip puree, candied pecans, cilantro
SHORT RIB SLIDERS
braised short rib, garlic aioli served on a brioche bun
CHURRASCO
chimichurri sauce, hanger steak, butternut squash cream, broccolini
BUTTER CHICKEN
chicken marinated in indian spices, micro cilantro, herb tomato sauce, Essex baguette
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN
grilled Mediterranean chicken, tzatziki, roasted fingerling potatoes
LAMB KEFTA
lamb kefta, tahini, hummus, red cabbage, grilled tomato, onion and zucchini
ESSEX GNOCCHI
CHICKEN DIM SUM
SHORT RIB RAVIOLI
FILET MIGNON
DINNER - FROM THE FIELD
DINNER - OFF THE DOCK
TEMPURA SHRIMP TACOS
corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, red pepper salsa, avocado mousse micro cilantro, queso fresco
GRILLED OCTOPUS
parsnip puree, chimichurri
BANG BANG GROUPER
fresh local grouper, spicy mayo, scallions, Szechuan sauce, sesame seeds, kim-chi glaze
TUNA POKE TACOS
FRIED CALAMARI
fried rings and tentacles, Szechuan sauce
SHRIMP & GRITS
creamy grits, shrimp, creole sauce, andouille sausage, red peppers, onions, shaved parmesan
GRILLED SALMON
creamy tomato sauce, grilled broccolini
GORGONZOLA SHRIMP
CELERY AND CARROTS
Cheese Grits
Churrasco Skewer
EXTRA CRISPY PITA
FRIES
Mediterranean Chicken Skewer
Mixed Veggies
NAAN
RICE
Shrimp Skewer
Side Bacon
Side Broccollini
Side Roasted Potatoes
Side Salmon Filet
Side Zucchini
Small Brussel
Small Greek
Side Falafel
DINNER - SIDES
DINNER - DESSERTS
Apple Tart
Cheesecake
Chocolate Fudge Cake
FALAFEL
chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, Mediterranean mix, tahini, harissa
ESSEX DIP TRIO
pimento cheese, guacamole, feta-yogurt, Essex baguette
HUMMUS
chickpeas, garlic, harissa, Essex baguette
FRIED ARTICHOKES
greek yogurt, balsamic glaze, arugula, parmesan, almonds
CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE
chef’s selection of fine meats & cheeses, assorted accoutrements, Essex baguette
CHEESE PLATTER
CHARCUTERIE PLATTER
FRIED CAULIFLOWER
chickpea tempura, curry sauce, tamarind glaze, herb tomato sauce, candied pecans
MEDITERRANEAN DIP TRIO
hummus, tzatziki, spicy eggplant & butternut, squash salad, Essex baguette
BURRATA CARPACIO
TO START
FROM THE GARDEN
WARM BRUSSELS CAESAR
house-made bread crumbs, parmesan, herbs, asiago caesar dressing
FRESH MARKET SALAD
cucumber, tomato, avocado, red onion, artichoke hearts, mediterranean olives, feta, zaatar, parsley, Greek vinaigrette
BEET SALAD
arugula, candied pecans, feta-yogurt, shaved parmesan, sherry vinaigrette
QUINOA SALAD
quinoa, parsley, scallions, roasted almonds, feta cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, lemon, olive oil
LAMB CHOP LOLLIPOPS
grilled lamb chops over tzatziki, olive oil roasted fingerling potatoes
ASIAN STYLE SKIRT STEAK
szechuan sauce, parsnip puree, candied pecans, cilantro
SHORT RIB SLIDERS
braised short rib, garlic aioli served on a brioche bun
CHURRASCO
chimichurri sauce, hanger steak, butternut squash cream, broccolini
BUTTER CHICKEN
chicken marinated in indian spices, micro cilantro, herb tomato sauce, Essex baguette
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN
grilled Mediterranean chicken, tzatziki, roasted fingerling potatoes
LAMB KEFTA
lamb kefta, tahini, hummus, red cabbage, grilled tomato, onion and zucchini
ESSEX GNOCCHI
CHICKEN DIM SUM
SHORT RIB RAVIOLI
FILET MIGNON
FROM THE FIELD
OFF THE DOCK
TEMPURA SHRIMP TACOS
corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, red pepper salsa, avocado mousse micro cilantro, queso fresco
GRILLED OCTOPUS
parsnip puree, chimichurri
BANG BANG GROUPER
fresh local grouper, spicy mayo, scallions, Szechuan sauce, sesame seeds, kim-chi glaze
TUNA POKE TACOS
FRIED CALAMARI
fried rings and tentacles, Szechuan sauce
SHRIMP & GRITS
creamy grits, shrimp, creole sauce, andouille sausage, red peppers, onions, shaved parmesan
GRILLED SALMON
creamy tomato sauce, grilled broccolini