Founded by Aqua Best, one of New York City’s premier seafood purveyors, and led by chef Daniel Le—whose culinary resume includes the Ritz Carlton, Hanoi House, and The Tyger—Essex Pearl, a Southeast Asian seafood concept, is set to debut at Pier 57’s Market 57 in Hudson River Park. Slated to open on March 21, the eatery will bring together a vibrant fusion of flavors and cultural influences—from the coastal villages of Indonesia and the bold flavors of Thailand to the captivating culinary traditions of Vietnam and the modern, diverse flavors of Singapore.
The menu at Essex Pearl’s Market 57 location will feature a variety of fresh seafood rolls, with the star of the show being the seriously flavorful Southeast Asian Lobster Rolls topped with crispy fried shallots on a hearty brioche bun. Other menu items include a Shrimp Patty Burger, Crab Salad Roll and Red Curry Seafood Bisque.
“We are excited to have Essex Pearl become a part of the Pier 57 family to share our love letter for Southeast Asian cuisine alongside my personal Vietnamese-American heritage,” said Chef Daniel Le in a statement. With Essex Pearl, he hopes to showcase the charm and vibrant identity of Southeast Asian heritage.
As an AAPI-owned business, Essex Pearl joins Market 57’s diverse line-up of authentic food concepts, offering an eclectic menu in a contemporary setting with a fun, casual ambiance. Focused on women- and BIPOC-owned food concepts, Market 57 serves as a platform for emerging chefs and food entrepreneurs who have been under-represented in the culinary industry. Curated by Jamestown with input from the James Beard Foundation, Market 57’s vendors are aligned with the Foundation’s mission of championing a good food standard anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.
Market 57 is located on 15th Street and the West Side Highway in Hudson River Park, between
Little Island and Chelsea Piers, and is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
