Essence Bar and Grill - MARRARA

Besser is a cool space in amongst the industrial sites in downtown WinnellieThey serve Campos coffee which is an absolute bonus.

We found the food good - the chicken was tender with a tasty sauce which did not overwhelm it. The portions of meat were rather more generous than we expected, and the portions of vegetables smaller, though ordering a side dish balanced this out nicely. The menu included some creative options with local ingredients. The service was friendly. The time from ordering to receiving our main course was 25 minutes. We particularly liked the fact that part of the restaurant was open to the outdoors - that, plus the high ceilings meant that it was cool enough without a blast of air-conditioning. You might expect mosquitoes in those conditions but we did not notice any. Our bill came to $73 for two mains, two side dishes and one apple juice.

Essence has just launched a new menu. We had an assortment of entrees. Oysters, salads, dampers and calamari. All sensational. Mains - this place is a hidden secret for grilled meat in darwin. Steak is sensational. Great ribs and chicken.Try the new desserts and especially the green ant dessert. so different and so tasty. Highly recommend.

Found the restaurant quite pleasant. Breakfast was ok but only 2 choices $28 hot or $20 cold.( as there was no room service, there was no other choice) Any other meals we had were very nice and a reasonable size. Not a big range to choose from but the menu changed the day we left.

I remembered Essence where buffet breakfast at Mercure Darwin Airport Resort is served where I stayed. . . the food is good and filling, staff are courteous and friendly.. and some of them are Filipinos!. . . we regularly had our meals at Essence - steaks for dinner and they are great, as well as the burgers and pizzas...