Essence Kitchen - Chino Valley

Now I know what everyone is raving about! Had a wonderful lunch today and experienced the great food, drinks and service. This is exactly the type of restaurant we love and don't mind driving the 30 minutes to get there. Normally don't have dessert after lunch but the bread pudding with salted caramel bourbon sauce and ice cream was a perfect end to a great meal. The drinks from the bar were top notch and very reasonably priced! Will be a regular here!

1st visit tonight with party of 8 was not sure what to expect. We all were totally surprise by not only the owners but the entire staff. Best service we have ever experienced too! So attentive to needs B4 we knew we needed anything. Everyone was so nice friendly also quick with getting any request. The food, PERFECT, the chef (owner) even came out to chat with us about the meal as did his wife. Can only give rave reviews and thank the owners staff for a memorable evening and the great food. We all think they 're gonna need a bigger restaurant! Date night worthy, you need to treat yourselves. A Billion????.

**Customer Service: 5/5** From the moment we entered, the staff greeted us with smiles and maintained their courteous demeanor throughout our visit. The service was quick and attentive! **Cleanliness: 5/5** The restaurant was immaculate, both inside and out. **Sweet Potato Fries: 5/5** We started with these as an appetizer, and the portion was quite generous. They had a perfect crispy exterior and melted in our mouths. Some of the best sweet potato fries we've ever had! **Burger: 5/5** The burger I enjoyed was among the finest I've ever tasted. It came with jalapeños, lettuce, tomatoes, and a delicious sauce that complemented the fresh flavor of the burger without overpowering it. **Filet Mignon: 5/5** We ordered it medium-well, and it was cooked to perfection! **Marshmallow Brownie: 5/5** This dessert was beautifully presented and tasted delightful! **Overall: 5/5** It’s rare for us to give a perfect score across the board, but this place truly deserves it! And did I mention the experience? Watching the head chef at work in the open kitchen was quite impressive. This is definitely a great spot for a date night for anyone looking to enjoy a lovely evening out!

This is a very small restaurant, so I recommend making a reservation. The selection of cocktails and wines is fantastic, and the prices are reasonable. We had to wait a little while for our food, but it was definitely worth it as everything was fresh and delicious. I will definitely be returning! The restaurant is bringing a touch of upscale dining to Chino. The chef even came out to check on how everything was!

I visited this restaurant for the first time after receiving a recommendation, and I was not disappointed! The food and service were both exceptional. Julia, the owner, was very friendly and took the time to ask us about our experience and our meal. Our server, Darren, was fantastic and attentive. The food and drinks were excellent overall! I highly recommend trying the pork sliders and the bread pudding.