Essenza by Mauro Panebianco

"Essenza" in Italian translates to "essence," "substance," or "quintessence." The concept of Essenza is built around the philosophy of "essence" – a set of true qualities that define the uniqueness of each dish.

Essenza by Mauro Panebianco is a Mediterranean culinary space where Chef Mauro Panebianco will present his vision of Mediterranean cuisine and realize his dream of owning a restaurant. "Essenza" in Italian translates to "essence," "substance," or "quintessence." The concept of Essenza is built around the philosophy of "essence" – a set of true, innate qualities that define the uniqueness of each person and each dish. The chef explains that "essence" is the root, the precious stone within us, that which remains unchanged and makes something what it is. For a restaurant, this means creating unique dishes that are so memorable that guests will want to return. A wide selection of raw bar items and antipasti are available, including Muratsu and Gillard oysters, a signature tuna ceviche with beans and avocado, octopus carpaccio, and a variety of starters featuring Italian classics such как carpaccio of beef tenderloin with Parmesan, baked eggplant "Parmigiana," and vitello tonnato. In the soups and risotto section, you'll find a cream of Jerusalem artichoke soup with stracciatella cheese and black truffle, and cappelletti with veal cheeks in a meat broth. Pasta dishes include tortellini with shrimp and ricotta cheese in a zucchini flower sauce, spaghetti with vongole, and paccheri with fresh tomatoes, anchovies, and stracciatella. Among the hot meat dishes are beef tenderloin in truffle salt served on a carpaccio of potatoes and Parmesan, and roasted kid goat with artichokes and young potatoes. The project is led by renowned chef Mauro Panebianco, who has been creating Italian classics for guests at the Moscow restaurant Cantinetta Antinori since its opening. Before coming to Russia, he gained fame in Milan, then worked at a Swiss hotel, at the Borgo San Felice hotel in Tuscany, honed his skills at one of Italy's most famous hotels, the Four Seasons Milano, and participated in the opening of Emporio Armani Caffè in Germany, before accepting an invitation to Moscow. In 2021, Mauro Panebianco won the "Chef of the Year" award in the "Guardian of Tradition" category at the "Palm Branch" restaurant industry awards. The freedom of self-expression in his cuisine combines Italian traditions with influences from other countries. Mauro emphasizes that respect for the natural flavor of the product is the first rule he learned. The combination of freshness and simplicity, along with elegant presentation, transforms his dishes into compositions where aesthetics are as important as taste. The bar at Essenza is headed by head bartender Evgeny Polykarpov, who previously worked at Trattoria Fornetto, Burger & Pizzetta, Cut, and many projects of the Novikov Group. His cocktail menu is based on Italian and Mediterranean flavors: drinks are created using herbs and ingredients from Italy and Greece, classic recipes are reinterpreted, and the names are inspired by ancient mythology. The bar is complemented by an impressive wine list with a collection of vintages from around the world. The space of the new restaurant is designed in a modern classic style and is divided into a main hall and a cozy bar area. The interior features natural wood, Italian marble, and metal relief panels, while the bar counter and all the furniture were designed by designers and custom-made. Essenza by Mauro Panebianco is a place for those who appreciate freedom of self-expression through taste, aesthetics, and atmosphere.