ESSE Restaurant
Influencer Reviews1
Anders & Kaitlin
About
Esse is the latest restaurant from Matt Orlando, former head chef at Noma and founder of Amass. Opened in a restored warehouse in Nordhavn, Copenhagen, Esse continues Orlando's legacy of pioneering sustainable fine dining. The restaurant is known for its innovative circular food systems, zero-waste cooking, and creative tasting menus, pushing the boundaries of Nordic cuisine.
The Visit
Esse delivers a unique fine dining experience rooted in sustainability and creativity. The reviewer highlights the inventive use of ingredients, such as fish bone noodles and bread ice cream made from day-old loaves. Each course is paired with imaginative non-alcoholic drinks, and the meal is described as both refined and playful. The atmosphere feels like a creative hub, and the food leaves a lasting impression, with desserts standing out as top-tier in Copenhagen.
What They Ate
Quotes
"The fish was perfectly cooked and came with a rich buttery sauce. Orlando left us the pot, so obviously we had to ask for more potato bread to soak up every drop."
"Wild duck breast confit in juniper oil and duck fat. Yakitori grilled and served with hazelnut puree, radicchio, and a plum sauce with brown butter. This could almost have been a dessert."
"The main dessert was all about bread. Essa takes day-old sourdough loaves from a neighboring bakery and turns them into a bread ice cream topped with cascara caramel and fried breadcrumbs."
"Essa might be a new restaurant, but Matt Orlando's next chapter carries the same strong vision that defined Amass 12 years ago."
"This fermented potato bread is worth a visit to Essa alone."
Our Reflection
Esse stands as a testament to Matt Orlando’s relentless pursuit of sustainability and culinary innovation. Each dish is a conversation between flavor, texture, and responsibility—fish bones become noodles, day-old bread transforms into ice cream, and even the drinks echo the kitchen’s ethos. The meal is a journey, playful yet deeply thoughtful, where nothing is wasted and every bite tells a story. Esse doesn’t just serve food; it challenges perceptions, inviting diners to experience fine dining as a living, evolving philosophy. The excitement and admiration in the reviewer’s words reflect a meal that is both memorable and meaningful, setting a new standard for Copenhagen’s dining scene.
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