The Essence Redefining Indian Food

First-timers. The best nan that I've had in the US. Light, flaky layers, not doughy. Went well with our excellent goat stew and lentils. Beautiful interior. I'd recommend The Essence to everyone and can't wait to return!

This restaurant was located in a remote shopping mall tucked away in a corner and well worth a visit for the excellent food. From the outside it does not appear to be much but with the draperies, chandeliers and furnishings the interior reflect a very upscale establishment. We went on a Saturday for 5:30pm dinner and there were very few patrons and when we left at 7pm it was still not very busy except for a large party in a back banquet room. This place deserves a try for their extensive menu and wonderful food. We ordered Kadai Prawns, Butter chicken,Nalli Rogan and Chicken Biryani and were so delicious. Each of the dishes were also very generous in portion sizes. Will definitely return to this gem of a restaurant

Extremely disappointing experience on Valentines day. Probably because they couldnt handle the crowd. Live music is appreciated but it was very loud (however, it was enjoyed by many). Extremely overpriced food. Ambience and decor was great. Ordered chicken tikka - rubbery and not very flavorful. Naan was good. Paneer lababdar was average.

Amazing date night. Staff were very friendly and accommodating, food was fantastic to the point my wife woke up craving the leftovers we brought home. We look forward to our next dinner there.

What a beautiful restaurant and the food was the best! We were there at 5:30 last Saturday with very few diners which worked in our favor as we had a three year old. The server was very welcoming to our active son. We hope to visit again soon!

This new place is easily the best Indian food in Livermore and the service was amazing too. I highly recommend the martini with essence of mango and tamarind.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wonderful ambience and tasty food. This one is on top of mind whenever we think of dining out for whatever reason..

Service is really bad. This was our fifth visit. Very disappointed.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

yesterday i eat paneer tikka here taste delicious and naan quality very nice and they have kind of juice also have very good taste. They have brilliant staff.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Dahi Papdi Chaat, Paneer Tikka, Aloo Gobi

Average food, not outstanding. Tag line said that redefining Indian Food. But in reality, it was just an average run of the mill Dhaba food. Overpriced for the quality and quantity.

Great food no

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great ambience! Quality food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We went there as it is new in the area, and the review was quite good.

The ambience is quite unique, with antique style decorations, which gives the place a somewhat unique vibe.

We ordered vegetable roll and panipuri for appetizers. The panipuri was average, so nothing out of ordinary. My disappointment (and consequently deduction of 1 star) is due to their vegetable roll, this one is basically spring roll , and not a good one on top of that. I don’t think a traditional Indian restaurant (like this one claim they are), should serve spring roll as it’s no way even close to Indian cuisine.

For main course, we ordered laccha, naan (butter and plain), malai kofta and butter chicken. The breads were all very well cooked and delicious. The malai kofta was extremely rich gravy and worth ordering. The butter chicken had very tender chicken pieces with a rich and buttery gravy. Although the gravy was bit salty, which was a little unfortunate.

For dessert, we ordered kulfi , which was extremely good and worth ordering.

Altogether, a great addition to the buffet of Indian restaurants in the area. Although, this place is nothing out of ordinary, I love their ambience, simple food and service. I will visit again.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

i made rsvp for 8.00 pm didnt get table till 8.30 very bad service but still i tip drinks come after we finish eating it was my friend birthday we drove 1 hour to celebrate very bad service no birthday wishes or nothing will never refer no one

This was my first time dining here, and I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed! The food was not only delicious but also presented beautifully, and the decor added a lovely touch to the overall experience. The ambiance is both cozy and elegant, making it a great spot for either casual dining or a special occasion.

Here’s a rundown of what we ordered:

1. Grilled Pomfret Fish – This dish was absolutely fantastic! The fish was perfectly cooked, with a delicate, smoky flavor that really stood out. It’s a must-try if you enjoy seafood.
2. Mango Lassi – It was refreshing, though I found it to be just decent compared to other places. Still, a nice complement to the spicier dishes.
3. Goat Curry – Bursting with flavor, this was one of the highlights of the meal. The goat was tender and cooked to perfection, and the curry itself had a rich, complex taste.
4. Lamb Rogan Josh – Another winner! The lamb was tender, and the sauce was rich and aromatic. It had just the right amount of spice, making it a very satisfying dish.
5. Butter Chicken – Absolutely delicious! Creamy, flavorful, and a dish I would come back for again and again. If you’re a fan of butter chicken, this won’t disappoint.
6. Naan, Butter Naan, and Roti – All were fresh and soft, perfect for dipping into the curries. The butter naan was especially good, with just the right amount of richness.
7. Papdi Chaat – A delightful appetizer with a nice balance of flavors and textures. It was tangy, crunchy, and a great start to the meal.
8. Dal – Simple yet flavorful, this was a great addition to the meal. It had a comforting, home-cooked feel to it.
9. Palak Aloo – A wonderful vegetarian option! The spinach and potato were well-cooked and seasoned perfectly, making it a great complement to the rest of the meal.

Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience. The variety of dishes we tried all had their own unique flavors, and everything was well-prepared. I’m already looking forward to coming back and trying more from the menu. Highly recommend this place!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3