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Essence Of Kesar I Modern Indian Dining I BYOB, Englewood, NJ

Essence Of Kesar I Modern Indian Dining I BYOB

4.7
4.7
18 Reviews
$30 and under
Indian

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2 people
19:00
Booked 1 time today
  • Charming
  • Good for groups
  • Neighbourhood gem
Essence Of Kesar I Modern Indian Dining I BYOB is a modern Indian restaurant in Englewood, New Jersey, that offers a diverse array of regional specialties and recipes passed down through generations. The restaurant's team of chefs has years of experience and expertise, and they use the finest ingredients that are sourced locally and imported directly from India. Essence Of Kesar is a great place to enjoy a delicious and authentic Indian meal.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Indian, Contemporary Indian, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Hours of Operation
    Fri, Sat 11:00–22:30 Lunch Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00–15:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 16:30–22:00
  • Phone number
    (201) 300-0331
  • Website
    https://essenceofkesar.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Suraj Pawar
  • Location
    34 E Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631-2935
  • Area
    Englewood
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    BYO Wine, Entertainment, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access

Menu

SMALL PLATES

    VEGETARIAN

    • Spinach And Kale Chat (gf)(v-or)US$16.00

      crispy battered fried spinach, yogurt mousse, tamarind gel, dragonfruit dust

      • Litti Chokha (4pcs)US$16.00

        smoked charcoal eggplant, sattu, tomato pachadi

        • Truffel Lahsooni Cauliflower (v-or)US$16.00

          crispy golden cauliflower, lehsooni kadhi mousse, watermelon radish, goat cheese

          • Potato Sphere DhaiBhalla (gf)US$18.00

            white pea ragda, dhai bhalla, sweet yoguri, tamrind & mint gel

            • Edamame Paniyaram (gf)(v)US$17.00

              edamame infused rice, black lentil batter dumpling, smoked chilli tomato

              • Paneer Chilli Katafi RollUS$20.00

                schezwan sauce, mango chunda

                NON-VEGETARIAN

                • Baked Masala Oyster (gf)US$24.00

                  hirva watan, masala bread crumb, green mango caviar, beet pickle gel

                  • Solkadhi Scallop Ceviche (gf)US$23.00

                    solkadhi infused scallops, fresh kokam coriander oil, kejora golden berries

                    • Tibetian chicken MomosUS$21.00

                      Roasted bell pepper coulis, roasted cherry tomato marinara

                      • Chidiyaa Ka GhoslaUS$22.00

                        masala quail egg, baby curry leaves naan

                        • Duck Kurchan CorrnetoUS$23.00

                          masala duck, bell peppers, ajwain cormeto Kaffir lime mousse

                          • Pulled Lamb Ghee Rost BaoUS$23.00

                            pulled lamb, garam masala, bedgi chilli mayo

                            TANDOOR (FROM CLAY OVEN)

                            • Kesar Infused Chicken TikkaUS$25.00

                              black olive raita

                              • Junglee Lamb ChopUS$38.00

                                potato salad, lamb biryani

                                • Kafir Lime Chicken TikkaUS$25.00

                                  pomegranate raifa

                                  • Kasundi Mustard PrawnsUS$28.00

                                    kasundi pickle, toasted salad

                                    • Paneer Shashli SkewerUS$24.00

                                      kasundi pickle, toasted salad

                                      • Creamy Soya Malai ChopUS$25.00

                                        toasted salad, pomegranate raita

                                        MAINS

                                          VEGETARIAN

                                          • Sarson Ka Saag (gf)(v-or)US$25.00

                                            sarson ka saag, corn waffle, jaggery chutney

                                            • Paneer MethiMalai Steak (gf)US$25.00

                                              creamy coftage cheese steak, fenugreek sauce, asparagus

                                              • Parsi Soya Kheema ChilliUS$24.00

                                                rosemary bun, parsi masala, soya kheema

                                                • Truffel Pav BhajiUS$25.00

                                                  truffel mumbai bhaji, rosemary bun

                                                  • Kesar Malai KoftaUS$26.00

                                                    kesar (saffron) infused malai sauce apricot dumplings

                                                    • Konkani EggplantUS$25.00

                                                      konkani tangy sweet sauce, rosted eggplant

                                                      • Kolhapuri MedleyUS$25.00

                                                        mix kolhapuri fambada rassa, grilled vegetables

                                                        • Fresh Vegetable BiryaniUS$24.00

                                                          mix vegetables, cottage cheese

                                                          NON-VEGETARIAN

                                                          • Chicken LababdarUS$27.00

                                                            grilled chicken breast, roasted bell pepper, almond sauce

                                                            • Octopus MoileeUS$34.00

                                                              grilled octopus, coconut meen moilee

                                                              • Konkani HalibutUS$36.00

                                                                sous vide halibut, kokam infused malvani sauce

                                                                • Champaran Ka MuttonUS$29.00

                                                                  clay pot cooked mution, champaran masala

                                                                  • Old Delhi Butter ChickenUS$30.00

                                                                    creamy fomato sauce

                                                                    • Kashmiri Lamb Rogan JoshUS$30.00

                                                                      braised lamb, garam masala, yogurt

                                                                      • Masala QuailsUS$27.00

                                                                        8hrs marinated quails, fadka mayo

                                                                        • Kesar Goat Chop BiryaniUS$32.00

                                                                          8hrs marinated quails, fadka mayo

                                                                          • Thalassery Bamboo BiryaniUS$30.00

                                                                            biryani slow-cooked with cardamon, kesar in bamboo

                                                                            BREADS

                                                                            • Kesar Butter NaanUS$6.00

                                                                              • Garlic NaanUS$7.00

                                                                                • Onion FlatbreadUS$7.00

                                                                                  • Whole Wheat RotiUS$6.00

                                                                                    • Gluten Free BreadUS$6.00

                                                                                      SIDES

                                                                                      • Sweet & Spicy Mango SauceUS$5.00

                                                                                        • Saag PaneerUS$15.00

                                                                                          • Yellow Lentils (Dal Taclka)US$14.00

                                                                                            • Black Lentils (Dal Makhani)US$15.00

                                                                                              • Spiced Chickpeas (Chana Masala)US$14.00

                                                                                                DESSERTS

                                                                                                • Kharvas Cream BruléeUS$12.00

                                                                                                  • Mesti Doi (Canaloni)US$12.00

                                                                                                    • Desi Kulfi TrioUS$15.00

                                                                                                      DRINKS

                                                                                                      • Mango Yogurt Lassi /AamPannaUS$7.00

                                                                                                        • Jamun Refresh / Sparkling WaterUS$7.00

                                                                                                          • Soda / WaterUS$5.00

                                                                                                            Last updated: 31 July 2024

                                                                                                            What 18 people are saying

                                                                                                            Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                                            Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                                                            4.7
                                                                                                            4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                                                                            • 4.8Food
                                                                                                            • 4.5Service
                                                                                                            • 4.4Ambience
                                                                                                            • 4.4Value

                                                                                                            Noise • Moderate

                                                                                                            Loved For

                                                                                                            • Bergen

                                                                                                              Healthy

                                                                                                            Review summary

                                                                                                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                                            Essence Of Kesar offers "exceptionally well crafted dishes" with unique and delicious flavors. Located in Englewood, this modern Indian dining spot is praised for its "exquisite food" and "great host." While the restaurant can be busy and sometimes understaffed, it's a "fantastic surprise" for Indian cuisine lovers in the area.

                                                                                                            18 Reviews

                                                                                                            1. eatsjfk

                                                                                                              New York City21 reviews

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              Dined 5 days ago

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                              The food was delicious and the service was friendly. The menu was a little different and more creative than what is usually offered at neighborhood Indian restaurants. I’m happy to have found a great option in the area.

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                                                                                                            2. Victoria

                                                                                                              Washington DC1 review

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 1 March 2025

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                              Trendy place with great food and service. Amazing addition to the neighborhood.

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                                                                                                            3. Gurmeet

                                                                                                              New York City1 review

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 22 February 2025

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                              Exquisite food, each dish presented exceptionally and each very very tasty. Will definitely be returning to Kesar soon.

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                                                                                                            4. Rasheed VIP

                                                                                                              London21 reviews

                                                                                                              3.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 28 January 2025

                                                                                                              1. Overall 3
                                                                                                              2. Food 4
                                                                                                              3. Service 2
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                              Great indian food but the restaurant was heavily understaffed. There was just one waiter for what was a pretty full restaurant. Also there was ALOT of salt in the food.

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                                                                                                            5. Mwari

                                                                                                              New York City6 reviews

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 1 January 2025

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 4
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                              Delicious food, great host. A great new spot for Indian food

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                                                                                                            6. Ritesh

                                                                                                              New York City1 review

                                                                                                              4.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 26 December 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 4
                                                                                                              2. Food 4
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                              Food is good. Restaurants is small so had to wait long for the table to be ready. Rest all was nice.

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                                                                                                            7. Raghu

                                                                                                              New York City1 review

                                                                                                              4.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 20 December 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 4
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                              Great food that’s different from the norm. Great addition to the area.

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                                                                                                            8. Nancy VIP

                                                                                                              New York City49 reviews

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 6 December 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                              Absolutely incredible food. So happy to have this restaurant in Englewood, as there is no other delicious Indian food in the area. 

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                                                                                                            9. Poornima VIP

                                                                                                              New York City2 reviews

                                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 27 November 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                                              3. Service 4
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                              Food was really good and unique flavours. We tried kesar infused chicken, fish tacos , bamboo biryani and kulcha and everything was mouth watering and we enjoyed our dinner way too much. Highly recommend this place if you are in the neighbourhood.

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                                                                                                            10. komal

                                                                                                              New York City18 reviews

                                                                                                              4.0

                                                                                                              Dined on 25 November 2024

                                                                                                              1. Overall 4
                                                                                                              2. Food 4
                                                                                                              3. Service 4
                                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                              Loved the mocktails. The appetizers were amazing. I felt the main dishes were lacking a little flavor that was evident in the apps.

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                                                                                                            FAQs

                                                                                                            Essence Of Kesar I Modern Indian Dining I BYOB offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (201) 300-0331.

                                                                                                            Essence Of Kesar I Modern Indian Dining I BYOB is rated 4.7 stars by 18 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                                            Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                                                            Make a booking

                                                                                                            2 people
                                                                                                            19:00
                                                                                                            Booked 1 time today

                                                                                                            Order delivery or takeout

                                                                                                            Google Map for Essence Of Kesar I Modern Indian Dining I BYOB

                                                                                                            34 E Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631-2935

                                                                                                            Additional information

                                                                                                            • Area
                                                                                                              Englewood
                                                                                                            • Hours of Operation
                                                                                                              Fri, Sat 11:00–22:30 Lunch Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00–15:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 16:30–22:00
                                                                                                            • Price
                                                                                                              $30 and under
                                                                                                            • Cuisines
                                                                                                              Indian, Contemporary Indian, Fusion / Eclectic
                                                                                                            • Dining style
                                                                                                              Casual Dining
                                                                                                            • Dress code
                                                                                                              Casual Dress
                                                                                                            • Parking details
                                                                                                              Street Parking
                                                                                                            • Payment Options
                                                                                                              AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                                            • Executive Chef
                                                                                                              Suraj Pawar
                                                                                                            • Additional
                                                                                                              BYO Wine, Entertainment, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access
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