New York City's Modern Mediterranean Restaurant, TESSA, Launches Daily Lunch Service

The Upper West Side's neighborhood gem, TESSA, is now open for lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This modern Mediterranean restaurant is lively and welcoming, and quite classy given its rustic, industrial, yet trendy design. Plus, since it's nice and warm out, you can dine al fresco on the patio and people-watch while you bask in the sun.

The new lunch service features starters that include mezze trio of house dips: carrot harissa, smoked eggplant, ricotta cheese, and cucumber dill, served with house-made lavash; tarte flambée with fromage blanc, red onions, applewood smoked bacon, figs, and speck for sharing; and burrata with beets, hazelnuts, and aged balsamic.

The selection of salads features locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Some standouts are the TESSA salad with haricot vert, grapefruit, dried cherry, spiced pistachio, and an herb vinaigrette; and the tuna and stonefruit salad which comes with diced Ahi tuna, avocado, stonefruit, quinoa, and a sherry vinaigrette.

Entrées range from sandwiches and pasta to fish. On offer is the chicken club with an herb aïoli; the TESSA burger with beef and pancetta, fontina, caramelized onion, and rosemary fries; as well as an Ahi tuna sandwich with crispy pancetta. Other options are the linguini with Tasmanian pepper and lemon, or an omelette, if you're not quite ready for a full lunch yet.

Refreshing lunch beverages include your choice of house-made cherry-lime soda or orange cream soda, or a summery cocktail such as the Latitude Zero with Leblon cachaça, lavender-honey, and Chambord.

Next time you're in the Upper West, pop in for an upscale lunch (then maybe some ice cream cones at Emack & Bolio's for dessert!).

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