1 /5 Abhinav Lodha: What an utter disappointment!
I ordered the Cacio e Pepe and Tortellini in Basilico sauce, and honestly, I’ve rarely come across such a lacklustre Italian meal. The portion of tortellini was shockingly small — barely enough to qualify as a starter, let alone a main. The pasta itself was bland, utterly devoid of flavour or seasoning. No hint of the promised basil, no richness in the sauce, and, quite unforgivably, not even a sprinkle of Parmesan on top.
The Cacio e Pepe, too, was a let-down — stodgy, under-salted, and missing that silky, peppery punch that makes the dish special. It felt as though it had been made by someone who had only read about Italian food rather than ever tasted it.
The decor did little to redeem the experience. Drab, uninspired, and with lighting that made the place feel more like a waiting room than a restaurant. To make matters worse, we were seated right by the door — the most cramped, claustrophobic spot imaginable — with a constant draft blowing through.
In a city brimming with genuinely charming Italian restaurants, Essenza falls painfully short.
Uninspired food, joyless ambience, and poor value for money.
Not recommended — you’ll find far better Italian fare almost anywhere else.
