Essen Restaurant — Restaurant in Stanthorpe

From the very beginning was not impressed. I have absolutely no idea what the hype is about with this run down establishment. We did take others advice and booked in. I was asked when booked a month earlier was it a special occasion. I replied with my wife's birthday and would love a great table.Not once during our time there was any comments made toward my wife for her birthday. Why make a deal out of asking for special occasions or not when obviously no one cares about it at Essen. We we're sat looking through a wide door into the shelving in the kitchen, it was the worst table in the place and we were the only ones there at the time. I asked to move, the only waiter who had face tattoos "not tribal" was not happy but we did move. The table was not decorated and only had a tiny vase with one flower in it. This was the only table decoration NOT EVEN A CANDLE. The room was loud, fully bright with zero atmosphere. For $89 per head it was terrible. ONLY A SET MENU AVAILABLE. The first plate babaganosh in a bowl and GET THIS on a separate plate raw quarter carrot, raw quarter cucumber, 1 raw snow pea and 1 raw raddish the size on my little finger nail!! RAW VEGETABLES! Never seen or heard of a cook dare serve this let alone a chef! It was terrible. The rest any person could have cooked in their own home, seriously nothing special at all other than the fancy descriptions!! To top it off dessert was cheese cake, well that was dumped in a very small Kmart bowl with a splash of rhubarb sauce at the bottom and small square piece of cheese cake dropped on top. The most average coffee shop serves up much better and far better presented. When I was asked by the only waiter what we thought, I reluctantly told him. He had zero to say in response and visibly annoyed. I think this establishment is caught up in their past hype and now arrogance has slipped through the door and made itself at home. Seriously will not be going back and would love anyone to challenge this review. Just around the corner we ate a VARIAS twice and both times it was absolutely delicious and amazing. Essen you need to...

We had the opportunity to dine at Essen on our recent trip to Stanthorpe! I booked this as a gift for my partner and what a highlight it was.

From our first step into the restaurant the atmosphere and quality of service was evident. The waitress was mindful of the accessibility of our table and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu.

We were very impressed that there were two non-alcoholic beverages available that were not simply premixed soft drinks or the standard lemon lime and bitters. We were delighted to have both the apple spritz and the shrub spritz. Both were delicious with the balance of ingredients just right and the aroma of the rosemary really added to the beverage.

The menu really did play homage to the use of the freshest local ingredients. The time, care, passion and dedication to the refinement of skills and nuanced flavours was evident in every course from the sourdough focaccia with radishes to the beautifully composed Niçoise salad with the crispest tastiest leaves, snow peas and tomatoes with the most divine tuna. Then there was the red tropea tart. I think I could have taken an entire tart home given the opportunity. A real highlight was the wood fired flank steak which melted in our mouths. My non lettuce eating partner even raved over the garden salad!! And the spring Neapolitan was the perfect finish with a contrast of flavours that worked brilliantly together.

What is more, is you catered for my rather quirky list of dietary requirements without batting an eyelid. It was such a joy to be able to eat everything on the menu.

Thank you for an amazing experience, the joy of watching your kitchen as we ate (this is one of my favourite tables in a restaurant) and the wonderful service and incredible food.

We enjoyed the food so much we forgot to take photos to share with our family and friends after the first course!

We are planning to come back next time we are...

Holy shi...... I mean, WOW. Just, wow.

Appetiser of frittatensuppe (a savory chicken broth with ribbons of light crepe egg and chives) was warm and nourishing, perfect at taking away the chill of the early spring evening.

Entreé of beef carpaccio with salsa verde and sunflower seed tarator (an almost gritty textured white paste full of flavor) and fresh green leaves and flowers. The flavors were bright, zingy, and very fresh.

Main course of duck with red cabbage, pumpkin seed BROWNIE and just. Earthy, robust, very very satisfying.

Also with a side of crunchy roast potatoes with cultured cream and alliums. Amazing emphasis on the crunchy, and vegetarian friendly crunch! But altogether, the cream and sweetly tart alliums, the flavors danced so well together. I would have happily had these on their own.

Paired entreé and main with the 2021 ridgemill estate Tempranillo. Perfect recommendation from the lovely staff at the wine cellar, the vintage emphasized the food, and the food then made the wine's flavors sing.

Dessert was an orange parfait with whipped chocolate and fresh rosemary blossoms. I would have happily eaten another serve, and this dish will haunt my food dreams for weeks.

For what it's worth, I am lactose intolerant, but honestly the dessert was WORTH IT (if I had forgotten my tablets! All good!).

Waiter for the night was Chris. Professional, with just the right amount of attention and timing, and well informed with the week's menu. An asset to the business. Very impressed with the rest of the staff's work as well, based on observations of other tables' service and kitchen vibe.

My taste buds are so...