Brought grandma down to have a great lunch. She had a big hamburger without the bun. Then she topped it off with the apple ice cream dessert. She absolutely loved it. Great place to bring someone that doesn't have a huge appetite. They will curtail their menu item for that person. read more

Essence Kitchen + Bar - Grandma finished lunch with a yummy treat. - New American Near Me - Chino Valley, Arizona

YOU MUST TRY. This place is INCREDIBLE! We tried a handful of things on the menu and everything was so flavorful. The crab dip was delicious with the garlic bread. I highly recommend the Cajun ahi. It was so tender and zesty. The lobster bisque was perfectly salty and came out HOT. The dirty martinis are the best I've ever had they were so smooth. The parmesan crusted chicken was juicy and the steak was perfectly cooked. The ambiance was modern, fancy & intimate. Good spot to wear a nice outfit if you're looking for a date place. The people there are all very friendly and we enjoyed our waitress! I'll be back for sure :) read more

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Food and service was amazing ahi app was so delicious bacon wrapped dates amazing salad and soup home made very flavorful server was awesome. Chef stop by the table thank you great food chef thank you for the attention to detail. we will be back read more

We arrived for a late lunch, several customers but not packed. The Hostess took several calls for reservations having to turn people away because they were already booked for the night, IMPRESSIVE Our server was very pleasant. The venue is clean and nicely laid out and decorated. Our burgers were very flavorful and the fries fresh and crunchy. Great little place in Chino Valley. We will be back. read more

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Genuinely the best service I have ever experienced . I'm pretty sure our servers name was something cool like Sequoia or Onyx. The chef and the owner both came to our table and chatted aswell . They have comfortable seating with a nice layout and ambient lighting. The cocktails were pretty good but the food is there they killed it. The $60 steak was mouth watering but also the burgers which are reasonably priced like 12 bucks I think are hands down the best burgers I've ever had . I also tried the Jamaican chicken rice plantain plate which was good too. 10/10 recommend by far the best restaurant in chino valley because it's literally the best place I've ever been . If anyone knows the Michelin guy tell him to get these people a star. read more

I love sitting at the bar and watching the chefs. This place is amazing. Best Caesar salad in Arizona. The prosecco is perfect. The peanut butter banana cheesecake is... unique and delicious. The service is top of the line even if the ambiance is strangely juxtaposed with a Safeway parking lot. The seafood is the best in the area. I'm curious to see if this fune dining establishment will move to a more worthy location. read more

Stumbled upon this place while driving through Chino. Had the lobster bisque, artichoke dip, beet salad, and paniolo burger. All were delish and service was great. read more

Essence Kitchen + Bar - Lobster bisque and spinach artichoke dip - New American Near Me - Chino Valley, Arizona

Our first visit to Essence will not be our last. We walked in and greeted warmly by several people. While waiting for a table several servers asked if we wanted something from the bar. Even though the restaurant was very busy, on a Wednesday night no less we felt that everyone went out of their way to make us feel special. Our server was fantastic and went above and beyond to care for us. The food was amazing! Strip steak with compound butter I will dream about! Chino Valley you have a gem in Essence. read more

Essence Kitchen + Bar - Desert pear mojito, perfect! - New American Near Me - Chino Valley, Arizona

5 stars as usual! The remodel is absolutely the best! Our server,Donna, was also the best! The 3 of us enjoyed,Sea Bass,Trout and Salmon were excellent as always. Wine and martini's were the best as well!! read more

Super unpretentious location in a shopping center, definitely nothing fancy about decor in or out, but a lively dining scene inside once you go inside. My dining companion is a local, and we had made the recommended reservation...seated promptly. All the staff was friendly and very attentive. Had a date appetizer which we loved. She had a Bacon-wrapped Grilled Shrimp entree and I had an Applewood Alfredo with linguini in a dee-lish cream sauce. It was the perfect texture of being just thick enough, and subtly seasoned. All in all a wonderful meal. read more

Essence is, without question, the best restaurant in the entire Quad Cities. The food is not only fantastic -- it's some of the best we have ever had anywhere in this area. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. You can truly taste the quality and care in every bite. The atmosphere is just as impressive -- warm, inviting, elevated yet comfortable. It's the kind of place you can celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy an exceptional dinner out and feel equally at home. Julia has created something incredibly special with Essence. Her staff is top-notch -- professional, attentive, kind, and detail-oriented. The level of service and attention to detail is unmatched. From the moment you walk in until the moment you leave, you feel valued and taken care of. If you are in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, or anywhere in the Quad Cities, Essence is an absolute must. We are so fortunate to have a restaurant of this caliber in our community. Highly, highly recommend. read more

We stopped here for lunch on the drive from the Grand Canyon and Phoenix, and it was amazing. I had the Heart to Heart salad with ahi tuna, others in the group had the cheesesteak and burger, and everyone really enjoyed their meals - so much so that we ordered dessert. The churro donut was perfection - one of the best desserts that I've had in a long time. read more

I had the good fortune of eating at Essence again. It has never disappointed me. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is calming and the food is wonderful. It has an extensive food and drink menu and not the "same ol', same ol'". I wish that I lived closer so that I could visit more often but I guess I'll just consider it a treat. read more

This restaurant had a lot of parking and is conveniently located near a grocery store. The restaurant decor match the name. I felt like it was adequately decorated and not too overwhelming. We were immediately greeted by the host and was promptly sat at a table. The waitress came over with the menus and explained the house specials. She came back and took our orders and was extremely attentive. She checked in quite a few times during our meal and quickly refilled our water and drinks! We ordered the pear and brie flatbread which is offered as a small plate. This dish had wonderful flavor and texture. The flatbread itself is perfectly crisp, providing a great base that supports the Brie cheese. The fig jam and balsamic drizzle added to the dish. The plate was sweeter than anticipated; therefore, I felt like it was more dessert like. Overall, I would order this dish again! The linguine alfredo with applewood bacon was amazing. This dish was creamy and not goopy. The bacon was mild and sweet and the bread had a nice crunch to it. The wild caught north atlantic seared sea scallops was a miss. The scallops tasted like it was frozen for too long. Hence, the one star deduction. The rice and corn were appropriately seasoned, however, in my opinion, I'm not sure it went well with the scallops. read more

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Everything was excellent! The minute we walked in and the ambience, the service, the food, the temperature of the food, the quality of the food. Need I say more? No! Just go and see for yourself! Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Their prime rib and artichoke dip is phenomenal! From what I was grasping, one of the guests at our table absolutely loved his seafood pasta. While eating it, he would not stop talking about how amazing it was. So just go and see for yourself. I'd say it's a great place for a date night. The pricing is a little on the high side, but definitely worth it if you want great quality ingredients, cozy, and superb service. read more

We drove all the way from Phoenix today after heading great things from a friend, and Essence did not disappoint! Huge thanks to Julia for being such a wonderful host and Kelly for the outstanding service. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was even better. We will definitely be making the drive again! read more

Just moved here and tried Essence. Loved everything about it. Service was impeccable, food was delicious and menu was varied . It can be a special occasion place or a stop for drinks and nibbles or a lovely lunch. Can't wait to go back read more

It is a wonderful restaurant with attentive, caring staff. Food is great, really great. Atmosphere is lovely. The only downside is the music, and not the music itself--the loudness of it. It is VERY hard to visit either in a group or in a duo with that volume. IMO, music should be BACKGROUND to add ambiance, not the main event. I hope the management does something about this. read more

Reservations are strongly suggested. We arrive 5 minutes before our reservation time. Staff greeted us and took us to our table within a minute. The place with packed with happy dining customers. The restaurant is small accommodating approximately 10 couples. We tried to change our late dinner plans to something earlier but space was all taken. Staff are very service oriented and attentive filling our water glasses and pouring wine. After looking at the menu we decided on lettuce wrapped ahi, banana leaf wrapped sea bass, sea bass with miso and trout. The meals arrived in approximately 20 minutes beautifully presented. Everything was to our liking with the fish cooked perfectly and the ahi so fresh it melted in your mouth. After dining around 8 pm, we chatted about our delicious meals. The chef went from table to table thanking us for our patronage and asking our opinion. It was such a nice touch. The place had pretty much emptied out by then. A great experience. Shared parking lot. read more

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Great food and service! The food is delicious and I highly recommend. My favorites include the warm Mushroom salad, bacon wrapped dates, jerk chicken and amazing bread pudding. read more

We ate there last night. Wow is all we can say. The food was outstanding, service was excellent. The staff was so fun to talk to. It's a family operation. The Dad is head chef, Mom works the dinning and bar area, the Daughter works the bar area and other family members are also involved. The cook staff is fun to watch as well. A well oiled machine. Highly recommend !!!! read more

Essence Kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Chino Valley, Arizona

Food is fresh farm to table. Incredible attention to detail. Servers are extremely attentive and friendly. Best restaurant in northern Arizona. read more

Great food and drinks. And the staff were amazing. The restaurant is beautiful inside very comfortable seating.

Brilliant Pear and Brie en croute. Perfect balance of sweet, savory and tart. The textures are spot on. Bravo, Chef Joe! Every course was fantastic! The trout with pesto was mind-blowing. The vegetables were al dente and seasoned ever so lightly, complementing the trout with the crispy skin. The skin on mashed red potatoes provided a carbohydrate canvas. We finished with the pineapple upside down cake. Caramelized at the bottom served in an adorable cast iron skillet. If there was a reason for a La mode, this is it. We paired it with a Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Service matches the love in the food Julia and Joe....congratulations on a world class restaurant. I will be back panting for another degustation. read more

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We went to Essence last week for a 70th birthday celebration. The service was fantastic, the chairs very comfortable and the food, delicious. I ordered poke lettuce wraps and pork sliders, my husband ordered linguini Alfredo and our birthday guest, a cheese burger and his wife a gluten feee chicken dish. Everyone loved their food and our server brought a birthday ice cream and whipped cream to our birthday guest, along with a candle and 4 spoons. We will definitely be back. Thank you Essence! read more

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Came here for the first time today for our anniversary! We live in Prescott and I had seen this recommendation multiple times. I have to say it absolutely lives up to all the hype!! My husband started with the lobster bisque, the best he's ever had and the dinner salad, the dressing was amazing! We share the Ohana Cheesesteak Sandwich, so unique and tasty as well as the Parmesan crusted chicken breast. We finished off with the skillet brownie a la mode. Everything was outstanding from beginning to end...food, service and entire experience!! We will be back very soon!! read more

My hubby and I stopped here on our way from Queen Creek to Seligman! It was a beautiful place...wish we would have been dressed a little better, but hey we were on vacation! The food was outstanding. Very delicious and perfect! He had a burger and I got crab dip as well as sweet potato fries! The fries came with a maple dipping sauce that actually went perfectly with them! The crab dip was so yummy! I tried to eat as much as I could, but just couldn't finish it! If we are ever traveling that way again, we will definitely stop by again! read more

Went for a late lunch, and had the mussels for my main. Very disappointed. Only 8 mussels for the same price I have them at the Peacock room. Will not do that again. Not worth it. read more

I had a very nice meal here a couple of years ago and looked forward to returning when visiting the Chino Valley area this week. I made a reservation for 7 a couple of days earlier by telephone and Essence had everything ready when we arrived. After trying the excellent Parmesan chicken entree and Essence salad in 2021 this time I went with the seafood pasta for $32. It arrived about 20 minutes later. The bowl was chocked full of seafood (shrimp, scallops and fish with artichoke hearts and roasted bell peppers over a bed of angel hair and was both delicious and filling. The seafood broth was a sun dried tomato pesto cream sauce and was excellent too. Chef Jason definitely has a winner here.. This is easily the best restaurant in Chino Valley and possibly in Prescott too. The only downside to eating here is that it is small inside which makes reservations a must when coming here. On both visits. I have seen walk ups arrive and then been told it would be a long wait for a table. Come eat here! read more

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We go to Essence to celebrate. The food is fabulous. Have never been disappointed. The wine list is excellent. Every server has been superb. I've spoken to the owner every time I've gone. She's charming, knowledgeable and kind. One of my best quotes came from her. Took a friend for her birthday. She ordered a hamburger with everything on the side. "You want it deconstructed." Laughed and laughed. Perfect analogy. Going to Essence to celebrate another friend's birthday tomorrow. Can't wait. read more

Excellent Seafood. Service was outstanding. The Ambiance was charming. All three of us had different Seafood dishes and raved about Chef Jason's creations. This is the go to place for Anniversary's and Birthday's . read more

The moment the door to Essence opens, their friendliness, curtesy and pleasant space welcomes you. Taken to a beautifully set table a chair is pulled out for you and water poured. There is truly something for everyone on the menu from spectacular moist grilled rainbow trout to grilled bacon wrapped shrimp. Air, sea, and land ... it's all there for you. Our family gave a 6 thumbs up rating. Will we be returning? You betcha read more

Essence Kitchen + Bar - Surprise Birthday Wishes - New American Near Me - Chino Valley, Arizona

What a great find. Thanks to Prerna in Prescott for recommending this place. We made a reservation which is highly suggested! It's busy and not all that big. From the outside it looks like a strip mall non-distinct place. Once inside the energy and vibe are upscale. It's family owned and the chef is incredible. An elevated dining experience from drinks to soup, entree and dessert. Each ingredient added delightfully to the taste buds making it a perfect dining experience. My favorite was the bacon wrapped fig appetizer. And the chefs bread pudding dessert brings folks from all around the valley. We split the salmon that had citrus flavors and it was tender and perfectly cooked. Even hubby commented the chef takes great pride in his side dishes as well, A culinary treat, I'm looking forward to going back at some point. I highly recommend! read more

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Excellent food and desserts..Service is the best..This place I give 100% plus . Our waitress knows the food and gave us a great recommendation on choices. We picked these two dishes. So so tasty! Also inside the restaurant the ambiance is relaxed. Recommend it as the best in Chino Valley. read more

Essence Kitchen + Bar - Mud pie, peanut butter cheesecake and ice cream - New American Near Me - Chino Valley, Arizona

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This small restaurant in a Chino Valley shopping center has a large, ambitious New American menu. They deliver! My red wine braised short ribs were tender, flavorful and came with garlic mashed, roasted cubed butternut squash and creamed corn--perfect partners. My wife said her parmesan herb crusted chicken breast was excellent (though a bit unevenly done in places). It came with a 3 citrus Champagne beurre blanc, garlic mashed and sautéed veggies. Portions were generous. Servers and other staff were uniformly friendly, welcoming and cheerful. Decor was modest but interestingly modern. Prices weren't out of line for other higher-end restaurants in the broader Quad Cities area. read more

My good friend and I visited Essence about a week ago. The place was packed on a Tuesday night which was a good sign for me. The restaurant is very stylish with a comfy looking bar in addition to the tables and chairs. There was a carafe of cucumber mint infused water and two glasses waiting for us when we were seated. Our food did take a while to get to our table, but we reminded ourselves this was not"fast food"! My friend got banana wrapped sea bass and I got Rainbow trout with an incredible citrus sauce! It was truly gourmet food! We will go back! read more

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We just ran into this place. Everyone's chill here and food, therein, is reflective of it. I highly recommend this place! read more

Essence Kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Chino Valley, Arizona

The food and service is amazing here. We started out our lunch with the watermelon and cucumber mocktail, excellent, especially with the bits of cucumber. Also had the homemade soup of the day, loaded with beans and veggies. My husband loved his lamb burger with house made coleslaw. I enjoyed the Jamaican jerk chicken with black beans and plantains. Fresh, healthy food with great mix of flavors. The bread pudding dessert was huge and came with ice cream, very filling. read more

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Food...c'mon...always licious! Service...really...always Sequoia & EVERY one of the dining room staff!! Ambiance...start it off with fruit sangria & eventually its a 1 minute drive home. But in between...the taste buds celebrate!!! read more

This is the 3rd time we've been here. First time was in 2022, then again about a year ago, and then last night with friends. Each and every time we have dined here the food is CONSISTENTLY GOOD - and actually, not good, EXCELLENT! Can't say enough good things about this place. If you're a fan of the filet mignon at Ruth's Chris, you'll LOVE Essence! I'm not kidding, I've had the filet mignon twice here (first time in '22 and last night) and it's melt-in-your-mouth amazing! Don't let the strip mall location fool you; there's a whole lot of amazing food happening at Essence. Treat yo' self!! (No photos were taken during our amazing meal as we were having too much fun chatting it up with our friends) read more