Ernesto's
A corner Basque taverna where San Sebastian lands on East Broadway, and the small room books out the moment the clock turns.
259 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002 · hours vary by night
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Why Ernesto's is hard to book
Chef Ryan Bartlow learned this food in San Sebastian, cooking at Akelarre and living above a Basque tavern, and the room he built on the corner of East Broadway is small by design. The bar overlooks an open kitchen, the plates are made to share, and the seats are few. The books open at midnight, fourteen days ahead, and the prime evenings are claimed almost as fast as they appear. By the time most people think to look, the night they wanted is gone.
We work the clock so you do not have to. We are positioned the instant the books open at midnight, we watch every cancellation in the days that follow, and we secure the table in your name for the exact night you asked for. Always this room, always your date. If we cannot get the night you want, we get you nothing else and tell you straight. No swaps, no consolation evenings.
How we work this room.
Pay when we get you in.
Your card is authorized when you submit the request. We charge it only when we confirm your table. No confirmation, no charge. Ever.
Authorize, do not captureThe host is expecting you.
You walk in to Ernesto's and the table is yours, held for your party at your time.
Confirmed for your partyOne posted price.
One number, every night, every party size. No auctions, no surge, no Friday markup. Whatever the room is doing, the price does not move. Sign in to see it.
No auctions. No surge.Ernesto's, the FAQ.
How do I get a reservation at Ernesto's?
Name Ernesto's and the night you want. We book it on your account the instant a table opens or a cancellation appears, and you only pay if we actually get it.
Why is Ernesto's so hard to book?
Ernesto's is one of the most in-demand tables in Lower East Side. Prime-time seats are claimed within seconds of release, and many never reach the public at all, so refreshing on your own rarely works.
When do Ernesto's reservations open up?
Ernesto's typically releases reservations around 00:00, and seats also reappear when other guests cancel. We watch both around the clock and grab yours the instant it opens.
How much does it cost to book Ernesto's through The Elusive List?
One flat fee, charged only when we confirm your table. No table, no charge. Sign in to see the exact fee for Ernesto's.
Five steps, start to seated.
You ask.
Tell us the night, the time window, the party size. Two minutes on this page. Card on file, not charged.
We confirm the request.
An operator reviews the request, checks the room, and sends a confirmation that we are working it. Usually within thirty minutes.
We work the room.
We reach the floor manager directly, by phone or by text, depending on the night. We make the call.
You are confirmed.
We charge the card and send your confirmation — the time and the name to give the host.
You eat.
Walk into 259 East Broadway, give your name at the host stand, sit down. The room takes it from there. We do not see you again until the next request.
Basque, New York, Tier II.
Bad Roman
Comedy Cellar
Dhamaka
Tonight, tomorrow,
or three months out.
We work this restaurant every day. You pay only when we confirm your table.