"To those not in the know, the recent re-opening of Lower East Side American restaurant and bar Epstein’s is just another new spot in the neighborhood. But to certain neighbors, it’s a disastrous development in a years-long fight between harried locals and what they call a problematic part of Hell Square. During its 11-year-long tenure at the corner of Stanton and Allen streets, Epstein’s held a reputation as a place to go party — contributing to how that area got the moniker “Hell Square,” for its drunken crowds, noise, and brawls. New owners Rick Aurigemma and Josh Acheatel acknowledge this, but they are trying to move away from that reputation with this reboot. They’ve hired a new chef named Joe Marchisotta, who worked at Daniel and has created a pub menu with burgers, wings, salads, and wraps. Notably, a brunch offering includes an entree and two drinks for $25. The full menu is below. “We’re going to be more of a restaurant at this point. We’re not looking to be that bar, standing crowd, loud music place,” Aurigemma says. “The neighborhood doesn’t want that. It’s not calling for another bar with loud music and a line out front.”" - Stefanie Tuder
