We all like to treat ourselves and our loved ones once in a while and a fancy dinner is one of the ways we do that. In Essex, we're not short of boujee establishments - but one very fancy restaurant once started life as a car dealership.

The Enya restaurant, located on East Mayne in Basildon, was once a place which sold cars. But now, it is a very fancy Turkish restaurant that makes each and every guest feel like a celeb.

I took my boyfriend here for dinner one very gloomy Friday evening and left wanting to strut down their very own red carpet. As we got out of the car, we instantly noticed the size of the restaurant with bright letters spelling out 'Enya Lounge and Grill' at the front.

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We were greeted by two doormen out the front who swiftly greeted us and opened the door for us. We knew at this point that it was going to be fancy. It was then we spotted the red carpet strewn across the floor with mirrors surrounding you as you walk down the small hallway.

Definitely fancy, we thought, as we made our way to the front table and gave our names to be sat down at a table. We were taken around near to what seemed to be the 'main bit' of the restaurant directly opposite the bar.

The decor was filled with pretty flowers and fancy ornaments. There was also a singer who was making her way around singing toe-tapping tunes that everybody knows.

When it came to ordering our dinner, both of us opted for a mojito which cost £12 each. Meanwhile for mains, I chose a chicken shish (£21) and my boyfriend went for the mixed kebab costing £27.

We were then brought over some free bread, which was still nice and warm, perfectly cooked with it still being very soft and spongy in the middle. We enjoyed these while our mains were being made.

One thing that we really noticed was the attention to detail in the restaurant, when our mojitos were brought over, the waiter moved the drinks to ensure that the straws were facing you. Although I was more than capable of doing so myself, it definitely gave the sense of sophistication and pizazz.

Very soon after, our mains arrived which looked amazing. Our meat came on a strip of wrap, with a delicious and colourful salad, as well as some rice. The meal was incredibly filling and very delicious too. My chicken was perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned, giving an explosion of flavours in your mouth with each bite.

Once we devoured our mains, the waiter brought over the dessert menu. Although I was incredibly full and knew I wouldn't be able to finish it, the Ekmek Kateifi sounded interesting and seemed like a very typical Turkish dessert - but one that's different to the usual Baklava.

My boyfriend did pick the Baklava, which was syrupy and delicious - with the dessert cut in half and had ice cream through the middle - something very different and that neither of us had seen in a restaurant before. Meanwhile, my Ekmek Kateifi was a doughy pastry with a subtle amount of syryp with cream. It was very different and nothing like I've ever had before.

Both desserts cost £8.90 but were absolutely huge. I couldn't even finish half of my dessert so alas, was defeated. But with full bellies, we still strutted back down the red carpet.

This article is part of EssexLive's series Essex Eats where a member of our team reviews an independent food business in the county. We don't tell the business we're coming and we don't tell them who we are while we're there. Every meal for EssexEats is paid for by us and not gifted. Check back every Thursday for our top pick that week of a great food spot in Essex.