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.

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...

I ordered the curry, described as a trio - 2 curries and a rice. I asked for vegetables instead of rice which they seemed happy to comply with. Meals for all were slow in coming. My vegetables were hard, including aubergine, and sauce in the curries looked and tasted like a commercially produced one. Wine was $10 for glass of NZ sauvignon blanc. Having a drink around the pool paying Happy Hour prices would be ok but wouldn't go to restaurant again. Disappointing as we took the person running the workshop there for a farewell dinner.

The setting overlooking the pool is great. We were there on a holiday Monday and the menu was limited. All 4 of us had steak that looked great but was tough & a bit grisly and served with very little salad. Pleasant unobtrusive service. Prices reasonable, an average dining experience.