Welcome to The Essence Redefining Indian Food
At "The Essence Redefining Indian Food," culinary passion meets authentic Indian traditions, nestled in Livermore, California. Specializing in vibrant, flavorful dishes, the restaurant transforms classic recipes with modern flair. Guests are greeted with an elegant ambiance that enhances their dining experience, ideal for celebrations or intimate dinners. Renowned for their rich curries, tender tandoori, and indulgent vegetarian options, each dish promises a delightful exploration of India’s diverse cuisine. Signature offerings like the buttery butter chicken and lip-smacking Gobi Manchurian exemplify the restaurant's commitment to quality and taste. "The Essence" is not just a meal; it's a journey through Indian flavors.
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1650 N Vasco Rd, Livermore, CA 94551 Hotline: (925) 718-7555
Welcome to The Essence Redefining Indian Food, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Livermore, California. Located at 1650 N Vasco Rd, this restaurant is not just a place to eat; it’s an experience that invites you to immerse yourself in authentic Indian flavors, redefined to suit the modern palate.
As you walk into The Essence, you are welcomed by an elegant ambiance infused with traditional Indian decor, making it a perfect spot for both casual and celebratory dining. The restaurant's capacity to host large gatherings is evidenced by customer testimonials highlighting memorable events like anniversaries and birthday celebrations.
- Vegetarian Appetizers: The menu boasts a variety of tantalizing appetizers, including the Samosa—a crispy pastry with spiced potato filling—and the Chili Paneer, which features spicy, stir-fried paneer with bell peppers. The delightful Gobi Manchurian is another must-try, featuring golden cauliflower florets in a tangy sauce that dances on your palate.
- Refreshing Drinks: Complement your meal with a selection of simple yet delicious beverages. The Masala Chai, a spiced tea brew, offers a warm embrace of flavors, while the Mango Lassi presents a silky smooth blend of ripe mangoes that captures the essence of summer.
- Hearty Soups and Salads: Warm up with the Paya Shorba, a flavorful slow-cooked trotter soup, or indulge in the Chicken Tikka & Avocado Salad, which perfectly combines char-grilled chicken with luscious avocado.
Do not miss out on the main dishes that embody the heart of Indian cuisine. From the classic Butter Chicken to the creamy Malai Kofta, each dish is prepared with care, ensuring that flavors are not only authentic but also memorable. Customers have raved about the Lazeez Paneer and have noted how each bite tells a story of rich tradition mingled with contemporary flair.
As a food reviewer for Restaurant World, I personally recommend trying the jalapeno cheese kulcha—a cheese lover's dream—and ending your meal on a sweet note with the delightful Gulab Jamun—a traditional Indian dessert that is a must-have!
In conclusion, The Essence Redefining Indian Food stands as a testament to the beauty of Indian cuisine. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply in the mood for a satisfying meal, this restaurant promises a dining experience that appeals to the senses. With exceptional service, stunning presentation, and a commitment to quality, it is truly a cornerstone of Indian culinary culture in Northern California.
For reservations or inquiries, you can reach them at (925) 718-7555. Your taste buds deserve this journey into the essence of Indian food!
Just had an amazing 50th anniversary celebration for my in laws! They were able to accommodate 20 people and everything went smoothly. Harjinder was so helpful with all our family and kids and served us so well. Highly recommend this place!The food was 10/10!
Easily the best Indian food I've had in the trivalley. We have been here multiple times, and each time the food is consistently delicious. The tandoori prawns are delightful, and their malai kofta is up there with some of the best I've ever had. Not cheap, but the quality is there so you get what you pay for. Service is decent overall however I do wish they were a bit more personable. We'll keep on coming back as long as the consistency remains. P.S. make sure to try the jalapeno cheese kulcha / it's a cheese lovers dream!
The Essence was an exceptionally elegant setting hidden in the corner of a non-descript suburban mall. It was an amazing venue with truly exceptional food and excellent service! We had an array of mouthwatering classic indian curries, tandoori chicken and prawn, palak paneer, naan and dals. Each and every dish was a culinary treat with exceptional flavors and presentation. I have never had kulcha that absolutely melted with deliciousness! It was a wonderful experience for such an esthetic setting and amazing food! Highly recommended.
Amazing food, Amazing drinks.. Authentic Indian food! Great service and beautiful restaurant
The Essence: Redefining Indian Food in San Ramon! We had the pleasure of experiencing The Essence's culinary delights during a 40th birthday celebration, and it was truly exceptional! The food tasting experience was impressive, with a wide variety of dishes to sample. Their dining venue and the event banquet hall are aesthetically nice and influenced by traditional Indian decor. Welcome drinks: - Aam Paana and Guava drink: REFRESHING and DELICIOUS, a great start to the meal! Appetizers: - Gol Gappas: Crispy and flavorful, with a nice spicy kick - Crispy Veggie Spring Rolls: Selected for the event, and a great choice! - Paneer Tikka: Just okay, and skipped for the event - Amritsari Fish: Not bad, and selected for the event - Chicken Malai Tikka Kebab: JUICY and FLAVORFUL, a standout! - Gobi Manchurian: FANTASTIC, and selected for the event Main Course: - Dal Makhni: FANTASTIC, flavorful, and so tasty! - Butter Chicken: AMAZING, a classic done to perfection! - Malai Kofta: CREAMY and DELICIOUS, a must-try! - Lazeez Paneer: SOFT and FLAVORFUL, a great option! - Goat Curry: TENDER and TASTY, a pleasant surprise! Indian bread: FRESHLY BAKED and TASTY, perfect accompaniment to the meals! Desserts: - Ras Malai: AMAZING, one of the best we've had! - Gulab Jamun: DELICIOUS, a classic Indian dessert done to perfection! - We tried but skipped Gajar Halwa and Kulfi falooda for the above two instead Note: We were surprised to be charged for the food tasting specially since we had already booked and paid for the event. However the quality of the food made it worthwhile. Recommendation would be to clarify with the management about the food tasting experience and costs so that you are not surprised later on. The event itself was well-executed, with great staff who were efficient and attentive. We highly recommend The Essence for fabulous food and facilities. Can't wait to come back and try more of their delicious offerings!
We came here for our anniversary. Loved the food, ambiance, service. Everything was top notch. Ordered naan, kadai paneer, spring rolls. Best North Indian restaurant in town. Nice to come here for special occasions as it matches the vibe!
Cute Indian restaurant. They've worked hard on the ambiance inside. Nice lighting, cute booths, good waitstaff. My husband and I had the yellow dal and the butter chicken with a side of butter naan. Everything was tasty and not too spicy! We also had their old fashioned and their mango martini which were solid drinks. The mango martini wasn't too sweet and had a little kick to it. The aroma of spices was very nice. We'll be back!
Very elegant atmosphere and friendly service. My water glass was not refilled quickly though and if the restaurant wants service as elegant as the decor, they could clean the table after clearing dishes. Spacious room would be easy to navigate for handicapped persons Full bar and extensive alcoholic options. There are 2 couches where you can also have drinks. Large party room and generously sized gendered bathrooms. We got the bangan bartha and a Ambala chicken curry. Both were good. The curry had a generous amount of meat. The eggplant was topped with fresh onion and cilantro Desserts sounded like they are not made in house from scratch so we skipped Easy free parking
Tried this restaurant on my trip to San Ramon. We started off with Aam Panna and Guava drinks which were fabulous and fresh. For food we started off with gobi Manchurian and papdi chaat which were delicious. For main course, we ordered malai kofta and Baigan Bharta which were tasty. The service was great. We sat outside on the patio. The ambiance was great. Plenty of parking as it's located in the plaza. I would definitely recommend this place! MUST TRY!!