Esca, an influential, seafood-focused Italian restaurant in Manhattan’s theater district, has permanently closed, its executive chef and co-owner, Dave Pasternack, said Friday. Mr. Pasternack said that business was good last fall, when Esca reopened for indoor dining. Mr. Pasternack and his business partner, Victor Rallo, still operate two restaurants on Staten Island, and Mr. Pasternack said he hoped to find a new location for Esca. It became a critically acclaimed part of Mr. Batali and Mr. Bastianich’s then-growing restaurant empire, in large part because of Mr. Pasternack’s expertise at cooking seafood. Mr. Pasternack and Mr. Rallo bought the restaurant in May 2019, after sexual-harassment allegations against Mr. Batali led to the end of his partnership with Mr. Bastianich.

Source: New York Times March 05, 2021 21:33 UTC