Essenza
About Essenza
It's no great leap to surmise that Essenza means ’essence’ in Italian. What you get in this smart, intimate neighbourhood trattoria is the essence of fresh, seasonal, Italian cooking. This boxy little spot is simply trendy, with persimmon banquettes, white table cloths, wood chairs, a smart little bar, and it is packed to the gills with similarly smart and trendy Notting Hill locals who all seem to know the waiters and each other. The menu roams the regions, featuring excellent standards like starter of caprese or beef carpaccio, home made pastas like fettuccine with porcini mushrooms and bacon sauce, main course of grilled selection of shellfish, and dessert of chocolate and coffee tiramisu. The mostly Italian wine list features a couple of nice grappas, too. Express Business Lunch and thoughtful Children's Menu are welcome extras.
Full a la carte
Starter
- Minestone Fresh homemade vegetable soup £4.50- Caprese Buffalo mozzarella, artichokes, tomatoes and basil salad £8.50
- Scamorza affumicata Smoked mozzarella from Abruzzo with grilled vegetables £7.50
- Calamari Deep fried fresh squid and prawns £8.50
- Cappesante Char-grilled Scottish scallops served with marinated courgettes £8.00
- Tuna tartare Tuna marinated with olive oil, herbs and lemon salad £8.50
- Carpaccio di manzo Thinly sliced raw fillet of beef with rocket and cherry tomatoes £8.50
Main Course
Pasta:- Pesto Linguine with roasted tomatoes, rocket pesto and oregano £8.50
- Homemade Ravioli The chef’s choice £10.00
- Marinara Tagliolini with fresh seafood, clams, mussels and tomato sauce £10.00
- Fettuccine Homemade pasta with porcini mushroom and bacon sauce £8.50
- Mari e monti Pasta tubes with, mushrooms, bacon, shrimps, courgettes, aubergines and fresh mussels £8.50
- Risotto Saffron risotto with Scottish scallops, courgettes and shrimps £9.00
Meat:
- Bistecca Char-grilled sirloin steak, matured for 21 days, served with French Mustard and steamed French beans £15.50
- Agnello arrosto Oven roasted shoulder of lamb served with roasted potatoes and gravy £15.50
- Filetto di manzo Char-grilled fillet of beef with porcini mushroom sauce and mash potatoes £15.50
- Filetto di vitello Pan-fried fillet of veal with spinach and new potatoes, in a rosemary sauce £15.50
Fish:
- Calamari Char-grilled calamari with fresh red chilli, rocket and cherry tomatoes £14.50
- Spigola Whole, fresh sea bass char-grilled or baked with aromatic herbs and extra virgin olive oil £16.50
- Grigliata Char-grilled selection of shellfish including: Scallops, tiger prawns, langoustines, king prawns and squid £15.50
- Tonno Seared tuna served with deep fried courgettes £14.50
- Pescatrice Monkfish with king prawns and langoustines, with a shallot sauce £15.50
Side Orders:
- Green or mixed salad £3.00
- Deep fried courgettes £3.00
- Rocket salad with parmesan flakes £4.50
- Char-grilled vegetables £4.50
- Mash or roast potatoes £3.00
- Boiled or sautéed spinach £3.00
- Steamed French beans £3.00
Dessert
- Dessert of the day (please ask the waiter/ess) £5.50- Chocolate soufflé with crème anglaise £5.50
- Chocolate and coffee tiramisu £5.50
- Fresh Pineapple, served with lemon sorbet £5.50
- Lemon sorbet, ice cream vanilla and chocolate £4.00
- The chefs selection of Italian cheese £5.50
Additional Information
Address:
210 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill Gate, W11 1NRNearest tube:
Notting Hill GateAverage Price:
£35 and underOpening times:
Lunch: Mon - Sun 12:30pm - 6pmDinner: Mon - Sat 6pm - 11:30pm, Sun 6pm -10:30pm