It was such a great experience. Service was excellent, food was delicious and it is a great place for a date night or just to have a nice conversation with excellent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Zhang
This was the best meal I had during my stay in New York. From appetizers to desserts, almost every dish had surprises. The quality and service were higher than one Michelin star?. recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Chen
Great location and very intimate setting/decor. Very classy and friendly service. Modern French cuisine is delicious and trendy; it is much better than the traditional French food, which is getting old and tired. Good selection of fine wines.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isabel Jiménez
Essential by Christophe has been one of the most immaculate experiences I’ve had in New York City. The ambiance is tranquil and impeccably clean. The food is phenomenal-specially the scallops (I’m craving them as I write this review). Best of all, the service provided by our servers- Dan and Marcos, their incredible sommelier Tyler, and finally the David was out of this world. Bravo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amandip Kaur
Celebrated my birthday here and it was such a phenomenal experience !! Every dish was a work of art: tasted half the menu and everything was 10 / 10. We couldn’t stop saying OMG because every bite was better than the last. From food to decor to service this place is well worth its Michelin star. Chef Christophe Bellanca has created such a beautiful fine dining menu everyone must try — so worth it. Merci pour ce magnifique dîner !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lissarette Nisnevich
Magnificent menu paired with outstanding service—highly recommend! My only suggestion would be to adjust the lighting, as it's quite bright. Softer lighting would create a more intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jorge Rodriguez
Exceptional food, service, presentation, and ambiance. Highlights of the mean included the bubbly cart, the seabass with turmeric sauce, and the squab. The space is modern and classy without feeling stuffy. A true gem in the UWS.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
david paltac
We had a dinner on Sunday night at essentialls Everything from a to z was spectacular Cristof came out to take photos with us Everyone was so pleasant Other sommeliers should learn how to pour wine from the lady som there Food was 5 stars Service extremely accommodating There are a few restaurants in the city as beautiful and hot as this one Essentialls by cristof Fasano Cafe carmellini and may be a very few other But I wish Cristof stays in business for a very long time long time Unbelievably beautiful and superb Cheers Dr David Paltac
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sanjay Puri
All around phenomenal. From the bartender who made us the perfect margarita and recommended the rubbed prawns which we loved to the fantastic service by sommelier, Andrea and our server Markus, everything was exceptional. Highly recommend the 4 course with wine pairing. The tuna, langoustine and poulard are so delicious. The desserts are also magnificent. Essentials deserved more Michelin stars :)
From the moment you walk into Essentials, you are welcomed by happy and smiley hostess. The dining room is very cozy. Interior sleek, beautiful and warm. The acoustic just perfect for the setting. We sat at the bar where you can have bar as well as dining room menu. Bartenders Stephan and Jose added to the whole experience. Very professional and kind. General manager David makes sure he says hello to every guests and have a little conversation. What a beautiful touch. Now the food OMG… Every course was impeccably plated, the flavors and textures just makes your mouth sing. Seaurchins with caviar and white trouffles were out of this world. Fois Gras, prawns, scallops, Dover Sole. Marmalade Soufflé , and chocolate tart with Sicilian pistachios ice cream. Not one dish I can say is less tasty. Everything on point. Shot out to Tyler- the sommelier for wine suggestions. We expected it to be great but it superseded our expectations. It a gem on UWS.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mitchell C
Genuinely, the full tasting menu at Essential deserves all of the praise that I can give and more. Flavor combinations are interesting and unique while being exceedingly balanced but powerful, ingredient prep and cook is executed perfectly, and sequencing of the dishes is phenomenal. The staff is super unpretentious but yet extraordinarily knowledgeable about both the ingredients and the preparation of the dishes, and are friendly and happy to accommodate special requests. The entire experience here was the most impressive of any fine dining restaurant I've ever been to, and I can't recommend it enough.
The highlight dish for me was the diver scallop. Perfect cross hatch sear, beautiful cook, and great accompaniments on the plate.
The bartender is accommodating and skilled, and delivered perfectly balanced cocktails both on and off menu.
Saying this restaurant is worth the trip, the reservation, and the price is a severe understatement.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isaiah Levy
Essential by Christophe is essentially one of my favorite restaurants in the city; all puns necessary and intentional, as the experience from top-to-bottom leaves no room for any other contemplation besides what you’ll be having the next time you endeavor. I’ve enjoyed several dining experiences both in the dining room and the bar and each time is more impressionable than the last. A special shout out to David as he entertained my company and I with Champagne as we waited—briefly—for a table to open in their bar area and complimented our experience with a small dessert at the end of our meal. Can’t wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
José Navarro Sarmiento
I had one of the best experiences in a restaurant, great service, food and beautiful place. I will definitely come back. David was really hospitable and he gave us a nice dessert at the end of the meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aristotle Zigouras
This is a special restaurant providing great value to its guests. I don't think its possible to get a meal of this caliber in NYC at the same price point.
It was such a great experience. Service was excellent, food was delicious and it is a great place for a date night or just to have a nice conversation with excellent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was the best meal I had during my stay in New York. From appetizers to desserts, almost every dish had surprises. The quality and service were higher than one Michelin star?. recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great location and very intimate setting/decor. Very classy and friendly service. Modern French cuisine is delicious and trendy; it is much better than the traditional French food, which is getting old and tired. Good selection of fine wines.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Essential by Christophe has been one of the most immaculate experiences I’ve had in New York City. The ambiance is tranquil and impeccably clean. The food is phenomenal-specially the scallops (I’m craving them as I write this review). Best of all, the service provided by our servers- Dan and Marcos, their incredible sommelier Tyler, and finally the David was out of this world. Bravo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Celebrated my birthday here and it was such a phenomenal experience !! Every dish was a work of art: tasted half the menu and everything was 10 / 10. We couldn’t stop saying OMG because every bite was better than the last. From food to decor to service this place is well worth its Michelin star. Chef Christophe Bellanca has created such a beautiful fine dining menu everyone must try — so worth it. Merci pour ce magnifique dîner !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Magnificent menu paired with outstanding service—highly recommend! My only suggestion would be to adjust the lighting, as it's quite bright. Softer lighting would create a more intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional food, service, presentation, and ambiance. Highlights of the mean included the bubbly cart, the seabass with turmeric sauce, and the squab. The space is modern and classy without feeling stuffy. A true gem in the UWS.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a dinner on Sunday night at essentialls
Everything from a to z was spectacular
Cristof came out to take photos with us
Everyone was so pleasant
Other sommeliers should learn how to pour wine from the lady som there
Food was 5 stars
Service extremely accommodating
There are a few restaurants in the city as beautiful and hot as this one
Essentialls by cristof
Fasano
Cafe carmellini and may be a very few other
But I wish Cristof stays in business for a very long time long time
Unbelievably beautiful and superb
Cheers
Dr David Paltac
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
All around phenomenal. From the bartender who made us the perfect margarita and recommended the rubbed prawns which we loved to the fantastic service by sommelier, Andrea and our server Markus, everything was exceptional. Highly recommend the 4 course with wine pairing. The tuna, langoustine and poulard are so delicious. The desserts are also magnificent.
Essentials deserved more Michelin stars :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Amuse Bouche, Soufflé, Lobster, Octopus
Must visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
From the moment you walk into Essentials, you are welcomed by happy and smiley hostess. The dining room is very cozy. Interior sleek, beautiful and warm. The acoustic just perfect for the setting. We sat at the bar where you can have bar as well as dining room menu. Bartenders Stephan and Jose added to the whole experience. Very professional and kind. General manager David makes sure he says hello to every guests and have a little conversation. What a beautiful touch. Now the food OMG… Every course was impeccably plated, the flavors and textures just makes your mouth sing. Seaurchins with caviar and white trouffles were out of this world. Fois Gras, prawns, scallops, Dover Sole. Marmalade Soufflé , and chocolate tart with Sicilian pistachios ice cream. Not one dish I can say is less tasty. Everything on point. Shot out to Tyler- the sommelier for wine suggestions. We expected it to be great but it superseded our expectations. It a gem on UWS.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Genuinely, the full tasting menu at Essential deserves all of the praise that I can give and more. Flavor combinations are interesting and unique while being exceedingly balanced but powerful, ingredient prep and cook is executed perfectly, and sequencing of the dishes is phenomenal. The staff is super unpretentious but yet extraordinarily knowledgeable about both the ingredients and the preparation of the dishes, and are friendly and happy to accommodate special requests. The entire experience here was the most impressive of any fine dining restaurant I've ever been to, and I can't recommend it enough.
The highlight dish for me was the diver scallop. Perfect cross hatch sear, beautiful cook, and great accompaniments on the plate.
The bartender is accommodating and skilled, and delivered perfectly balanced cocktails both on and off menu.
Saying this restaurant is worth the trip, the reservation, and the price is a severe understatement.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Essential by Christophe is essentially one of my favorite restaurants in the city; all puns necessary and intentional, as the experience from top-to-bottom leaves no room for any other contemplation besides what you’ll be having the next time you endeavor. I’ve enjoyed several dining experiences both in the dining room and the bar and each time is more impressionable than the last. A special shout out to David as he entertained my company and I with Champagne as we waited—briefly—for a table to open in their bar area and complimented our experience with a small dessert at the end of our meal. Can’t wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had one of the best experiences in a restaurant, great service, food and beautiful place. I will definitely come back. David was really hospitable and he gave us a nice dessert at the end of the meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a special restaurant providing great value to its guests. I don't think its possible to get a meal of this caliber in NYC at the same price point.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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