Essence
N.B. Bookings can no longer be made for this restaurant through London Online
About Essence
Essence Tapas Bar & Restaurant was announced winner of UK's best Tapas dish at the Restaurant Magazine inaugural Best Dishes Awards, 2005.The winning dish, Scallops with julienne mange-tout, was prepared by Head Chef Ana Serrano Merino. Her creation which is adapted from a simpler regional Basque dish, originates in Northern Spain. Merino grills fresh king scallops combined with julienne mange tout and dressed with extra virgin olive oil mixed with finely chopped courgettes, red peppers, shallots, sea salt and cracked black pepper.
At home in trendy Clerkenwell, Essence is a marvel - a modern restaurant and DJ bar serving very tasty tapas. Large windows framing the street provide the backdrop for the large leather sofas and bar stools on the airy ground floor. Downstairs is more sparsely furnished to make room to groove the night away. Rather than using rich sauces and complicated dishes, head chef Ana Serrano Merino, previously at Fino, focuses on healthy grilling of the quality ingredients delivered directly from Espana. Menu highlights include roasted marinated Iberian pork, Scallops with julienne mange tout and grilled confit artichokes with Manchego cheese. (Tip: arrive wearing a loose waistband!). A late license kicks in on Thursday and lasts 'til Sunday. No wonder Essence has attracted such a strong following.
Full a la carte
Starter
- Toasted almonds £2.50
- Pan Tomaquet (Toasted home made bread with fresh tomatoes & olive oil) £2.75
- Home made bread & marinated olives £3.00
- Pimientos del padron (Galician baby roasted sweet green chillies) £3.50
- Empanadillas de Atun (2) £4.50
- Croquetas con Jamón Jabugo £5.50
- Jamón Jabugo £7.50
- Mixed Iberian cold meat platter £9.50
Main Course
Vegetarian:
- Patatas bravas £3.50
- Escalivada (chargrilled aubergines, red onion, red pepper, spring onion, tomatoes) £4.50
- Classic Spanish tortilla £4.75
- Asparagus or grilled confit artichokes with Manchego cheese (seasonal) £4.95
- Wild mushrooms, confit baby onions, truffle oil £5.95
- Grilled goat cheese salad with rocket, pine nuts, mache, spinach, sultanas, walnuts & honey dressing £5.90 / £7.90
Fish & Seafood:
- Deep fried whitebait £3.50
- Grilled sardines £4.50
- Calamares £5.25
- Grilled king prawns (3) £5.95
- Monkfish and prawn skewers in saffron sauce £6.90
- Octopus a la gallega £6.50
- Scallops with julienne mange tout, red peppers, courgettes, shallots £6.75
- Grilled clams with white wine & parsley £6.95
Meat:
- Grilled hot chorizo £4.75
- Grilled black pudding with apple sauce £5.25
- Albondigas (meat balls) & savoy cabbage, tomato & red pepper sauce £5.50
- Marinated chicken skewers £6.75
- Grilled lamb cutlets with fried leeks £6.95
- Grilled marinated Iberian pork filet with roasted peppers £8.30
- Tapas Selection £26 (for 2 people) (pan tomaquet, jamon jabugo, pimientos del padron, calamares, clams, Iberian pork*)
Side Orders:
- Fresh tomato & basil salad £2.75
- Mixed leaf salad £2.75
- Olive oil mash potato £2.75
- Green beans sautéed with shallots £2.95
Dessert
- Poached pears with vanilla ice cream £3.75
- Classic crème Catalan £3.75
- Essence Chocolate mousse £3.75
- Plate of Manchego cheese £4.95
Additional Information
Address:
2-5 Carthusian St, EC1M 6EB
Nearest tube:
Barbican / Farringdon / Moorgate
Average Price:
Under £24/€40
Opening times:
Mon - Wed 12pm - 11pm,
Thurs 12pm - 12am,
Fri 12pm - 2am,
Sat 7pm - 2am.
Closed Sundays except on Bank Hol. weekends
Dress Code:
None
N.B. Bookings can no longer be made for this restaurant through London Online
