The Essence Redefining Indian Food — Restaurant in Livermore

This was my first time dining here, and I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed! The food was not only delicious but also presented beautifully, and the decor added a lovely touch to the overall experience. The ambiance is both cozy and elegant, making it a great spot for either casual dining or a special occasion.

Here’s a rundown of what we ordered:

Grilled Pomfret Fish – This dish was absolutely fantastic! The fish was perfectly cooked, with a delicate, smoky flavor that really stood out. It’s a must-try if you enjoy seafood. Mango Lassi – It was refreshing, though I found it to be just decent compared to other places. Still, a nice complement to the spicier dishes. Goat Curry – Bursting with flavor, this was one of the highlights of the meal. The goat was tender and cooked to perfection, and the curry itself had a rich, complex taste. Lamb Rogan Josh – Another winner! The lamb was tender, and the sauce was rich and aromatic. It had just the right amount of spice, making it a very satisfying dish. Butter Chicken – Absolutely delicious! Creamy, flavorful, and a dish I would come back for again and again. If you’re a fan of butter chicken, this won’t disappoint. Naan, Butter Naan, and Roti – All were fresh and soft, perfect for dipping into the curries. The butter naan was especially good, with just the right amount of richness. Papdi Chaat – A delightful appetizer with a nice balance of flavors and textures. It was tangy, crunchy, and a great start to the meal. Dal – Simple yet flavorful, this was a great addition to the meal. It had a comforting, home-cooked feel to it. Palak Aloo – A wonderful vegetarian option! The spinach and potato were well-cooked and seasoned perfectly, making it a great complement to the rest of the meal.

Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience. The variety of dishes we tried all had their own unique flavors, and everything was well-prepared. I’m already looking forward to coming back and trying more from the menu. Highly...

We went there as it is new in the area, and the review was quite good.

The ambience is quite unique, with antique style decorations, which gives the place a somewhat unique vibe.

We ordered vegetable roll and panipuri for appetizers. The panipuri was average, so nothing out of ordinary. My disappointment (and consequently deduction of 1 star) is due to their vegetable roll, this one is basically spring roll , and not a good one on top of that. I don’t think a traditional Indian restaurant (like this one claim they are), should serve spring roll as it’s no way even close to Indian cuisine.

For main course, we ordered laccha, naan (butter and plain), malai kofta and butter chicken. The breads were all very well cooked and delicious. The malai kofta was extremely rich gravy and worth ordering. The butter chicken had very tender chicken pieces with a rich and buttery gravy. Although the gravy was bit salty, which was a little unfortunate.

For dessert, we ordered kulfi , which was extremely good and worth ordering.

Altogether, a great addition to the buffet of Indian restaurants in the area. Although, this place is nothing out of ordinary, I love their ambience, simple food and service. I will...

We visited your restaurant today with a group of 20 people to celebrate a young girl’s birthday. While the food and ambiance were good, our overall experience was deeply disappointing due to the service.

Despite having a table booked in advance, the service was completely unorganized. For a large gathering like ours, we expected at least one dedicated staff member to attend to us — but no such arrangement was made. We had to constantly reach out to the service team to place our orders or request basic things.

Even more concerning was the highly rude behavior of one of your team members, a Sikh gentleman, who was disrespectful while speaking to the ladies at our table . This is completely unacceptable in any hospitality setting.

Additionally, not a single staff member seemed welcoming — not even a smile while serving. It gave the impression that guests are not valued here.

We chose your place to celebrate a special occasion, but unfortunately, the service made it unpleasant for all of us.

I hope the management takes this feedback seriously and trains the staff to offer professional and respectful service, especially when dealing with large groups and...