Just ate here for the first time this week and loved it so much I took my husband back three days later! The pastas are incredible! The sourdough OMG! The 5 grain salad wow! Simple yet delish! Wonderful service! Parking can be tough so go early if you can.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrea Baxter
Dinner was delicious. I had the pork tortelli. The only negative is that I wish the serving was larger. The pecan coconut cream tart was very rich and flavorful. The atmosphere was fun and friendly. I'll definitely return and recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
william mills
I eat lunch there often but this was the first time I ordered the ham and cheese sandwich. It was spectacular, best I have ever eaten. My server was Katie, and as always, just perfect. great lunch all the way around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alec Herring
Great food in a fun, intimate setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Johnny H
Killer for business lunch, everything was delicious. The pasta program was the highlight of the visit, for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Milissa Woodward
We had a reservation and were seated on time. The food and service were exceptional. The restaurant was a bit loud but that is the only bad thing about the place. Every bite of every dish was scrumptious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
R.J. Barron
Staying at a hotel down the street from The Essential saw the reviews and thought I would give it a shot. The bartender recommended the burger and the gentleman next to me was having it and said it was the best burger in Birmingham. I would not disagree! One of the best burgers I’ve had. Atmosphere is awesome!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
LaToya Holt
The Essential has well known dishes but they add a bit of a twist. It's not your everyday pasta or roasted chicken. The sauces, the vegetables, the blends of spices make known dishes come alive in a different but satisfying way. I would suggest to make a reservation to ensure you don't have a long wait time and are able to dine-in on the day of your choosing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
NuNu Davis
I had the Essential hash, it was really good. I wish the place was more family oriented & have childlike options for the kiddos. Server was a bit pushy, I'll try another
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Lewis joles
I ate there with my Wife & our daughter. I had the peppercorn spaghetti it was great 👍 👍 I give it 2 thumbs up. My daughter liked her cheeseburger 🍔 My wife enjoyed her Chicken. The bread was delicious. The desert wasn't the greatest though that is why I give it 4stars.
Now our waiter was great. But there was another waiter that had an itchy butt and decided to Scratch it while taking someone's order🤢
The staff seem to be dressed overly casual for such a expensive restaurant.
They need to wear some uniforms and have better hygiene. This will be the reason I will probably never return.
We got seated really fast even though it was busy for brunch. I had the pancakes and they’re amazing. The coffee is really good too. Also the tea they atmosphere and decor are very cute and welcoming. It gets very loud in here. Our seating was more communal style, where you sit with others at a very large table overall, the breakfast was fantastic and I would definitely visit again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Tyler Drew
Delicious brunch!
Janee Dickinson
We went for our anniversary. The food and service were amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jennifer Champagne
The food & service was outstanding! We were visiting in Birmingham & came for brunch on Saturday morning. No wait time when we arrived & our waiter was Lu (he was amazing & gave great recommendations). Let me just say the food did not disappoint! The Eggs Benedict and the pancakes were the best I’ve ever tasted (chefs kiss). Everything is also made in house from scratch & portion sizes are not skimpy at all. If you have room for dessert, the raspberry sorbet was absolutely delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Monty Patel
The host I guess didn’t know what they were doing as they told me the lunch menu was available and it wasn’t and also shared the strip would be served and it wasn’t. Was really disappointed by that. Also sad people don’t carry coke 0s. Waitress was nice and the steak and eggs I had ended up being good but really came for the strip. Disappointed by that mostly and the lack of knowledge of hosts.
Just ate here for the first time this week and loved it so much I took my husband back three days later! The pastas are incredible! The sourdough OMG! The 5 grain salad wow! Simple yet delish! Wonderful service! Parking can be tough so go early if you can.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dinner was delicious. I had the pork tortelli. The only negative is that I wish the serving was larger. The pecan coconut cream tart was very rich and flavorful. The atmosphere was fun and friendly. I'll definitely return and recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I eat lunch there often but this was the first time I ordered the ham and cheese sandwich. It was spectacular, best I have ever eaten. My server was Katie, and as always, just perfect. great lunch all the way around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food in a fun, intimate setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Killer for business lunch, everything was delicious. The pasta program was the highlight of the visit, for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a reservation and were seated on time. The food and service were exceptional. The restaurant was a bit loud but that is the only bad thing about the place. Every bite of every dish was scrumptious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staying at a hotel down the street from The Essential saw the reviews and thought I would give it a shot. The bartender recommended the burger and the gentleman next to me was having it and said it was the best burger in Birmingham. I would not disagree! One of the best burgers I’ve had. Atmosphere is awesome!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Essential has well known dishes but they add a bit of a twist. It's not your everyday pasta or roasted chicken. The sauces, the vegetables, the blends of spices make known dishes come alive in a different but satisfying way. I would suggest to make a reservation to ensure you don't have a long wait time and are able to dine-in on the day of your choosing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had the Essential hash, it was really good. I wish the place was more family oriented & have childlike options for the kiddos. Server was a bit pushy, I'll try another
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
I ate there with my Wife & our daughter.
I had the peppercorn spaghetti it was great 👍 👍 I give it 2 thumbs up.
My daughter liked her cheeseburger 🍔
My wife enjoyed her Chicken. The bread was delicious.
The desert wasn't the greatest though that is why I give it 4stars.
Now our waiter was great. But there was another waiter that had an itchy butt and decided to Scratch it while taking someone's order🤢
The staff seem to be dressed overly casual for such a expensive restaurant.
They need to wear some uniforms and have better hygiene. This will be the reason I will probably never return.
This place is almost there. But not quite.
Over priced for the overall dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We got seated really fast even though it was busy for brunch. I had the pancakes and they’re amazing. The coffee is really good too. Also the tea they atmosphere and decor are very cute and welcoming. It gets very loud in here. Our seating was more communal style, where you sit with others at a very large table overall, the breakfast was fantastic and I would definitely visit again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Delicious brunch!
We went for our anniversary. The food and service were amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food & service was outstanding! We were visiting in Birmingham & came for brunch on Saturday morning. No wait time when we arrived & our waiter was Lu (he was amazing & gave great recommendations). Let me just say the food did not disappoint! The Eggs Benedict and the pancakes were the best I’ve ever tasted (chefs kiss). Everything is also made in house from scratch & portion sizes are not skimpy at all. If you have room for dessert, the raspberry sorbet was absolutely delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The host I guess didn’t know what they were doing as they told me the lunch menu was available and it wasn’t and also shared the strip would be served and it wasn’t. Was really disappointed by that. Also sad people don’t carry coke 0s. Waitress was nice and the steak and eggs I had ended up being good but really came for the strip. Disappointed by that mostly and the lack of knowledge of hosts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
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