European, Modern Australian and Tapas
Signature dish: Grilled aged beef sirloin with cafe de paris butter, pomme puree; pink roasted breast of muscovy duck, sauteed cabbage and chestnuts
Entree: $14-$19
Dessert: $10-$20
Entree prices refer to tapas plates
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express
Licensed with bar. Wine is available by the glass.
Children's menu
This venue accepts bookings. It is advisable to make a reservation ahead of time. Group bookings are supported.
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What you say about Essence
All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.
Posted by:
MelissaO
|
20 December 2006, 10.09am
Essence with Delight
Essence is a superb fine-dining restaurant that offers modern Australian cuisine at its very best, along with outstanding service and with its waterfront location, a great view over Darling Harbour (we recommend requesting a balcony table on any balmy summer evening).
Essence offers a selection of tasting and sharing plates, or a choice of five eight-course set tasting menus that are truly an extraordinary and sensuous experience and should delight any culinary hedonist.
A recent visit to Essence proved one of the most pleasurable dining experiences I have had in some time - the restaurant's ambiance and the service was impressive, as was the wine selection but the cuisine itself was sheer indulgence of the senses.
We opted for a set tasting menu (menu 2) then sat back and entrusted our palates journey for the evening to the chef's expertise (and why would you opt for a three-course meal when you can overwhelm your taste buds with eight tantalising courses?).
Each of the set menus is a thoughtful and innovative collection of appetizing courses. Our meal began simply with a bread and olives starter. The olives were an absolute taste sensation and if you don't like olives, these may well convert you! Also of particular note were the oysters with eschalot and Cabernet vinaigrette which were deliciously fresh and succulent, the extremely tender crispy fried Hawkesbury squid with a tangy lime syrup, and the Atlantic salmon served with seared scallops and chilli lime dressing, which was unquestionably the most scrumptious I have had in years!
Serving portions at Essence are perfect for an eight-course menu and will leave you comfortably content at the end of your meal although you will probably have to abstain from a heavy lunch if you wish to try the desserts!
The wine collection is extensive and the Cape Meitelle Cabernet Merlot (Margaret River) is highly recommended, as is Jason, our waiter, who was charming and attentive, anticipating our every need and who provided outstanding but unintrusive service on our visit.
In Essence, a wonderful dining experience and excellent value for money. This is a restaurant you will want to revisit.
Food:
Visit: Wed 13 December 2006
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
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