Essence at the Pantiles by Atul Kochhar

Essence at the Pantiles by Atul Kochhar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. C

   Claire

   Kent1 review

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This is without a doubt our favourite restaurant - the food, service and hospitality is outstanding and whether it is a dinner for two or a massive family reunion including being family friendly for baby, this restaurant is the number one choice. Thank you to all the staff to making today’s lunch so special for family reunion and celebration. Exceptionally high standard all round.
   

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2. J

   Jeanne

   Cornwall89 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely space. Large menu. All dishes were very well executed and it was good to see some fish dishes on the menu. Service was very efficient.
   

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3. V

   Vandana

   London1 review

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Amazing food and service. We had a lovely evening and the service we received was fantastic. The entire team were really kind and helpful. Food was outstanding too. Thank you.
   

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4. A

   Andy

   Baltimore1 review

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   If you would like a special night out with regional cuisine at it best this is the place.
   

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5. J

   Julie

   London19 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Fantastic food - an amazing menu which was really hard to choose from! Attentive and friendly staff. We had a child with us and they went out of their way to accommodate and make us enjoy our meal.
   

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6. J

   Jamal

   London1 review

   2.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   We went for our wedding anniversary having been recommended this restaurant by some friends. The evening. was planned as a Gourmet evening of traditional Bengali cuisine Initially we were presented with some welcome drinks including Nimbu pani (lemon water)which was undrinkabke with way too much salt and cumin. the lassi was nice. There was a then an hour delay to the first course whixh was tasty. This was then followed by a vegetable starter with the bread arriving late and hard and then a prawn curry with no rice. When the rice eventually arrived, the curry was luke warm. The restaurant seemed to only bring part of the course at each time. The final course consisted of a tasty chicken biryani but inedible lamb curry that was hard and dry. Overall the experience was disappointing and having eaten in many high end Indian restaurants, this place has much to improve. We suspect they over booked the restaurant in their desire to maximize income and as a result the kitchen could not cope. We will not be rushing back
   

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Kent1 review

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We have eaten several times at Essence and have always been impressed with the menu and incredible flavours. We decided to book the Kolkata Bengali Supper Club with 5 course tasting menu. The price at £55ph was fantastic value for what was probably the best Indian meal I have ever eaten! The beauty of a good tasting menu is that you get to try dishes you wouldn't ordinarily order - aside from amazing Bengali prawns and no ordinary chicken biryani, outside of my comfort zone were drinks and courses to include lime water with cumin & salt, king lime lassi, banana flower croquette, fried aubergine, mutton curry and Indian desserts. The range of flavours were off the charts and every last morsel was delicious! We were recommended a St Emillion (very reasonably priced to boot), who knew red wine would cut through and compliment those spices, but it really did. We heard reservations sold out within 3 days with a waiting list of over 170. Bring on supper club no. 2 - but get in quick, we will certainly be signing up!
   

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8. B

   Bibi VIP

   London14 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great to taste the food of our home town of Kolkata. The dishes were excellent and the team really looked after us.
   

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9. A

   Alice

   London8 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This place is special. Loved equally the food and the drink. The cocktails were original and delicious. The food full of flavour and mouthwatering. We will definitely be back.
   

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10. D

    David

    Kent11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 8 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    We went to Essence to celebrate our wedding anniversary, the food was delicious , and service was excellent could not fault it. They presented us with a shared dessert with happy anniversary on the plate at the end of our meal which was a lovely touch.
    

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