"Essenziale is a top-tier, new-school modernist Tuscan restaurant. It’s a place where you’ll find carbonara with bonito flakes and whipped tofu instead of the usual yolk and pecorino emulsion, along with a pecorino grilled cheese with heirloom tomato soup and wild mushrooms made into a fried patty that reminds us of a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. All the food is interesting and delicious, the adjustments on the classics usually work, and they even have multiple set menus that range from cheap and more casual to a seven-course tasting that’s under €100. Go with the lasagna nachos when you’ve had your fill of bistecca and pici. The atmosphere is very industrial with lots of metal, and would probably fit in just fine in San Francisco or Berlin." - coral sisk, georgette jupe
