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Essence of India
4601 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
Uber
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Lunch/Dinner Menu
Wine and Beer Menu
Lunch/Dinner Menu
Appetizers
Vegetable Samosas
$3.95
Two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with potatoes and green peas
Vegetable Pakoras
$3.95
Vegetables of the day dipped in a lentil batter and deep fried until crisp and golden
Vegetable Cutlets
$3.95
Two deep fried patties made with seasoned vegetables
Paneer Pakoras
$5.75
Home made batter fried cottage cheese fritters
Papadum
$1.95
Crispy, delicate thin wafers (4) of seasoned lentil flour
Masala Papadum
$2.50
Papadum topped with onion, cilantro, tomato, spices and masala
Vegetable sampler
$7.95
Platter includes a vegetable samosa, a vegetable cutlet and vegetable pakoras
Jhinga Karahi
$6.95
Deep fried shrimp marinated in vinegar and lemon juice along with garlic, ginger, sesame seed, black pepper and corn flour
Non-vegetarian sampler from the tandoori oven
$11.95
Platter includes chicken malai kabob, murg tikka, shrimp and seekh kabab
Vegetable Essence
Malai Ka Kofta
$10.95
Fresh cottage cheese and potato, dried fruit, and Indian spices in a tomato and cream sauce
Shahi Paneer
$10.95
Cubes of fresh cottage cheese in a rich cashew, tomato and cream gravy
Saag Chaman
$10.95
Spinach and homemade cottage cheese simmered in spices
Mutter Paneer
$10.95
Combination of peas and cheese cooked in a rich creamy sauce
Paneer Khurchan
$10.95
Homemade cottage cheese with yellow, red and green bell peppers, onions, tomato and Indian spices
Baigan Bharta
$10.75
Smoked, pureed eggplant cooked with tomato and onion
Bhindi Ka Masala
$10.75
Mild curry sauce cooked with fresh okra, tomatoes and onion
Gobhi Gulastan
$10.75
Cauliflower and potatoes cooked with herbs and ginger
Vegetable Korma
$10.75
Corn, potatoes, carrots, green peas, green beans and cottage cheese in a curry sauce
Aloo do Pyaza
$10.75
Potatoes, onion and tomato mixed with Indian spices
Chana Masala
$10.75
Chick peas cooked in a curry sauce with onions, tomatoes and Indian spices
Mushroom Mutter
$10.75
Sliced mushrooms and peas saute'd in a creamy curry sauce
Dal Makhani
$8.95
Black lentils cooked in a curry sauce
Dal Turka*
$8.95
Yellow lentils saute'd with onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, Indian spices and whole red chilies
Tandoor Essence (clay/charcoal Oven)
Tandoori Shrimp
$19.95
Jumbo shrimp marinated in caraway seeds and a flavored yogurt blended with Oriental spices
Seekh Kabab
$11.95
Tender rolls of minced lamb mixed with herbs and spices cooked in the tandoor oven
Bhuni Machhli
$15.95
Catfish flavored with tamarind then cooked in the tandoor oven
Indian Chicken Tandoori
$9.95
Skinless chicken marinated in spices and yogurt then barbecued in the clay oven
Chicken Malai Kabob Chef's Specialty
$14.95
Skewered boneless chicken marinated in vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, egg white, corn flour and cream cheese with a sprinkle of lemon juice, green chili and cilantro
Murg Tikka
$12.95
Skewered boneless chicken marinated in yogurt, herbs and spices then barbecued in the clay oven
Lamb Chops
$15.95
Lamb chops marinated in yogurt and spices then barbecued in the tandoor oven
Chicken Essence
Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani)
$11.95
Tandoori chicken simmered in tomato sauce, butter and spices
Murg Lajwab
$10.95
Boneless chicken marinated with herbs and spices in a curry sauce
Chicken Shahi Korma
$11.95
Chicken, nuts and spices prepared in a mild creamy curry
Chicken Karahi
$11.95
Masala chicken tossed with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and fresh garlic
Murg Tikka Masala
$13.95
Skewered boneless marinated chicken cooked with Indian spices and herbs in a cream sauce
Achari Murgh
$11.95
Tender pieces of chicken cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek
Chicken Saag
$11.95
Boneless chicken and spinach cooked in a gravy sauce
Bhuna Chicken*
$11.95
Chicken in a masala sauce with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and green chilies
Chicken Vindaloo*
$11.95
Marinated chicken and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices
Lamb Essence
Gosht Korma
$12.95
Cubes of lamb cooked in a sweet saffron sauce combined with finely ground raisins and almonds
Lamb Pasanda
$12.95
Lamb marinated in yogurt then cooked in a cream sauce
Rogan Josh
$12.95
Lamb marinated in a spiced yogurt with an onion and tomato gravy
Lamb Palak
$12.95
Lamb and fresh spinach leaves cooked in a combination of ginger, coriander, garlic and garam masala
Achari Gosht
$12.95
Tender pieces of lamb cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek
Lamb Vindaloo*
$12.95
Marinated lamb and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices
Goan Lamb*
$12.95
Lamb curry cooked in a coconut sauce
Fish Essence
Goan Fish Curry*
$14.95
Catfish cooked in a spicy coconut curry sauce
Jhinga Masala
$14.95
Shrimp cooked with onions, ginger and Indian spices
Shrimp Vindaloo*
$14.95
Marinated shrimp and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices
Amritsari Fried Catfish
$14.95
Deep fried breaded catfish marinated in garlic and ginger paste
Biriyani / Rice Essence
Non-Vegetarian Biriyani
Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables, herbs and your choice of:
- Chicken $11.95
- Lamb $12.95
- Shrimp $13.95
Vegetable Biriyani
$10.95
Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables and herbs
Peas Pulao
$7.95
Fried rice cooked with peas
Kashmiri Pulao
$8.95
Saffron flavored basmati rice with dried fruits and nuts
Saffron Rice
$7.95
Basmati rice cooked with saffron threads, cardamom and cloves
Plain Basmati Rice
$3.95
Long grain steamed basmati rice
Bread Essence
Naan
$2.50
Leavened bread made in the tandoor
Butter Naan
$2.75
Naan with butter
Garlic Naan
$2.95
Naan topped with garlic
Keema Naan
$3.95
Naan stuffed with ground lamb
Peshwari Naan
$2.95
Naan topped with cherries, pistachios and coconut
Onion Kulcha
$2.95
Flour bread stuffed with onions
Paneer Kulcha
$3.95
Flour bread stuffed with homemade cottage cheese
Paratha Tandoori
$2.75
Whole-wheat dough twisted and lightly brushed with butter and cooked in the tandoor
Pudina Paratha
$2.95
Paratha layered with fresh mint
Aloo Paratha
$2.95
Paratha stuffed with potatoes
Tandoori Roti
$1.95
Flat bread cooked in the clay oven
Poori
$3.50
Two puffy deep fried breads
Bread Assortment
$9.95
1 peshwari naan, 1 garlic naan, 1 onion kulcha and 1 pudina paratha
Side Items
Raita
$2.50
Plain yogurt mixed with cucumber, herbs and spices
Mango Chutney
$2.95
Sweet pickles made from mangoes
Mixed Salad
$2.95
Individual lettuce salad with tomato, onion, carrot, and cucumber, garnished with lemon wedges, green chili and cilantro
Dessert Essence
Gulab Jamun
$3.95
Golden fried dumpling of milk pastry soaked in a sweet syrup
Ras Malai
$3.95
Flat cottage cheese dumpling poached in milk and garnished with pistachios
Kheer
$3.50
Indian version of rice pudding made with basmati rice, sugar and nuts
Gajar ka Halwa
$3.95
Cooked grated carrots combined with sugar, milk, butter, cashews and raisins
Kulfi
$4.25
Indian style ice cream: choice of pistachio or mango
Essence Faluda Chef's Specialty
$5.95
Mango, pistachio and rose flavored ice cream layered with Indian soft noodles and tukmari (similar to tapioca) then topped with a touch of rose syrup
Beverages
Lassi
$2.50
Homemade yogurt shake Choice of sweet or salted
Mango Lassi
$3.50
Homemade mango yogurt shake
Masala Tea (Chai)
$1.95
Indian style tea boiled with water, milk and herbs
Soft Drinks
$1.95Coffee/Tea
$1.95Cappuccino
$3.50Espresso
$2.50
*Spicy
Wine and Beer List
Shiraz
Ripe cherry and plum fruity flavors with peppery notes mark this smooth, medium-bodied Shiraz. With nuances of oak, this deep purple wine has great balance and a lingering finish. It pairs well with tandoori and tikka sauces as well as lightly spiced curries.
Sauvignon Blanc
Rounded wine with a nice mellow fruity nose mixed with sweet pea aromas. The pale green colored wine with herbaceous flavors has a harmonious finish. It pairs well with mild to spicy Indian dishes as well as fish preparations
Chenin Blanc
Fruity wine with tropical fruit aromas. Fresh, pale colored wine is semi-dry and has a good acidity with a lingering finish. It pairs well with mild and less spicy Indian cuisine.
Sauvignon Blanc
Complex and crisp wine with flavors of green grass, and bell pepper aromas with hints of spice and gooseberries. The wine has a racy acidity with a wonderful long finish and pairs well with spicy Indian foods.
Chenin Blanc
An off-dry wine with tropical fruit aromas and mineral notes. The pale colored wine has a nice acidity to balance the residual sugar and has a good long finish. It is a great aperitif wine and pairs well with moderately spicy Indian food.
White
Minimi Pinot Grigio, Veneto
Tiefenbrunner Chardonnay
Stefano Farina, Gavi
Aviognonesi Chardonnay, Toscana
Georges Duboeuf Viognier (fruity, floral flavor)
Red
La Ginestra Chianti, Toscana (classic chianti)
Le Bocce Chianit Classico, Panzano
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile (pairs well with tandoori dishes)
Morgante Nero D'Avola, Sicily (spicy fruity flavor with hints of herbs/pepper)
Browse Nearby
General Info
Hours
Monday:
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Thursday:
5:00pm - 9:30pm
Friday:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
Saturday:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
Sunday:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
About Us
Established in July 2004, our desire was to create a contemporary-yet-authentic Indian restaurant. Our intent was to have you enter Essence of India and encounter a comfortable, casual feeling that was welcoming and sophisticated, all at the same time. We imported most of what you see in the dining area. From the table ware to the Indian artifacts that surround you, we want you to experience a culinary and cultural passage to India. We serve North Indian food that can be tailored, spice wise, to your individual taste. Indian beer and wine are served, as well as other liquor choices. Patio seating is available during the warmer weather months.