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    Essential by Christophe

    4.8 (140 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated a few days ago

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    ESSENTIAL BY CHRISTOPHE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Essential by Christophe

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    Frank A.

    Simply outstanding! The food is amazing. The service is refined and friendly. The room is beautiful and comfortable. Essential by Christophe is a truly great restaurant. My only complaint is that it is not downtown.

    Cheese plate
    sanjay P.

    Likely our 10th time having dinner here and it just gets better every time. Jose at the bar was fantastic explaining how everything is made in house and made us the most fantastic cocktails including a slightly spicy margarita and a Paloma and a delicious martini for my wife. The service especially Cassandra was exceptional all three courses, particularly the Cuttlefish and the Rouget as well as the turbo were phenomenal. The Sommelier did an exceptional job recommending a fantastic bottle of Bourgogne. It's too bad we missed Christophe but hope to see him again sometime and thank him in person for the always exceptional food and service of his staff.

    What a great tasting menu!! Would highly recommend. The food and service was amazing. I think it deserves way more recognition. Will definitely be back.

    Langoustine
    Alessandro G.

    I'm sorry to say this, but when you pay for a Michelin-starred restaurant, especially one priced above the average for a one-star restaurant in New York, you naturally expect the best. Unfortunately, the best never arrived. I waited two hours for the first course. Two hours. During that time, they kept serving bread and butter, which, yes, was good, but I ended up full of bread. When you go to a restaurant like this, you want to experience the quality of the food, not eat simply because you are hungry. The first course of king crab was extremely delicate, as was the langoustine. However, the sea bass was overcooked for me and too spicy. The smashed potatoes were far too heavy on butter, so much so that they mostly tasted like butter, no potatoes taste, pure butter. The le vacherin dessert, on the other hand, was truly amazing, with beautiful notes of lemon and clementine and a wonderful ice cream in the center. Still, for a restaurant of this level, and for the price you pay, such long waiting times are simply unacceptable. In addition, the basement dining room is quite unattractive, with servers constantly going back and forth and slamming the door. Overall, it was not a good experience. Quite disappointed.

    Scallop
    Austin K.

    I came here for a business dinner. We were in the private room and had such good service. The chef Christophe came down and showed us around a little bit as well! Fantastic dinner. We were treated to the Essential Menu. Although I had a light lunch, I was full by the end despite the small fine dining portions. Everything I had is listed in the pictured menu, and while all was good, there were some standouts for me. Scallops: my favorite savory dish. Lightly smoked, it went well with the caviar and hazelnut sauce. Ruby Red: I liked this more than the chocolate dessert. It was a perfect combination of refreshing and sweet. The hojicha mint sorbet balanced the tartness of the grapefruit so well. There were complimentary warm bread throughout, and the olive bread was better than the other. Interestingly, I didn't find myself liking the butter as much. The petit fours were also just okay, although the Paris brest type pastry was the best. I enjoyed this dinner more than Daniel as a comparison.

    Lobster
    Elizabeth S.

    What stood out to me at Essential wasn't even the food (although it was great and had unique flavors I wasn't expecting) - it was the service. From the moment I got to my table, I was treated with such care and attention without feeling like I was being watched over. They were very considerate of my allergies and cleaned the table each time from any crumbs between courses. I have never received better service than at this restaurant. We got the three course, which came with: 1. For the Un, we got the Tuna and Sea Urchin. The Sea Urchin was more unique, so I would recommend that one which had a strong veggie-forward flavor. 2. The Deux we got Scallops and Frog Legs. Both were incredible. The Scallops was one of the stand-outs of the entire meal. The trick is to save some bread to soak up the sauces, as both the sauces in our dishes were phenomenal. 3. The main entree we did the Kampachi and Lobster. I loved both - the lobster was sweet and coconut-y, and I had never had lobster done like that before. The Kampachi had a more classic flavor but recommended for someone who likes raw and tender fish. 4. Lastly, for dessert we got the Exotique and the Vacherin. The Vacherin is sweeter, and has a delicious basil sorbet inside. My mom loved the Exotique because it actually tastes a lot like an Asian dessert. The final complimentary desserts had the most delicious hazelnut pastry, and I only wish I could have had another bite of it. All in all, we had a great experience celebrating my mother's 55 birthday and we loved how attentive the service was. They even surprised us with an Essential kitchen towel as a souvenir.

    Alisa J.

    The food was absolutely amazing. The amuse bouche and bread were so good. But my favorite dish was the kampachi. The lemongrass broth was absolutely amazing. We also had the tuna and burger. Both were good but not mind blowing. The tuna was a bit too weird for me. The mashed potatoes were an impressive consistency and it was so nice that they gave us extra potatoes. The soufflé was one of the best ones I've ever had. The cardamom ice cream was so good. The grapefruit dessert was also so good and light. Wish I could taste the Hojicha a bit more. The little desserts at the end were pretty good. I liked the hazelnut one the most. We sat at the bar which was a fun experience. I loved the essential martini. However the wait staff and bartenders were fighting which was a bit unprofessional. Overall thought the experience was good though.

    Igor S.

    Wonderful dinner in a beautiful restaurant. The staff and hospitality is out of this world. I mean truly perfect. My table did the Essential menu. It was thoughtful and beautifully presented. I wish there was a little more to the bread course and something more interesting and different. Otherwise it was wonderful.

    Jennifer L.

    9.30.2025 i celebrated my birthday here with mom & i can say with full confidence that this is the best meal ive had in 2025. comparing to other michelin french fine dining establishments, i would pick this as my top 1 for overall hospitality, food and price point. essential offers a truly unique seafood-focused menu with every course being as memorable or even better than the last. the flavor combinations are rich, perfectly well-balanced & all-around luxurious. dont underestimate the simple presentations because the taste will blow you away. alfonso was our server--he was AMAZING! very attentive & made my night feel extra special with personal touches, check-ins throughout the meal as well as assisting me with my annoying vlog/photo sessions. cant forget to mention that the dining room is extremely gorgeous with its warm yellow hues, flowers & intimate table settings--perfect for date night. im already looking forward to revisiting & telling all my friends about it. simply exceeded all my expectations--wont be surprised to see essential gain another star soon. thank you so much team!

    Shelly L.

    Essential by Christophe was an absolutely memorable experience. The space is elegant and understated, the service impeccable without ever feeling intrusive, and the food beautifully crafted...with such interesting confluences of flavors and textures. The wine pairing took it completely over the top.

    King Crab
    Tansy W.

    Amazing. Absolutely loved this place, which surpassed my high expectations! The food was amazing - loved every dish but the real standout was the langoustine - flash cooked to perfection and quite unique. Also loved the steak, duck, halibut, king crab, and everything else. We did the 7-course ($255) and not a single course was a miss. Service was good. Courses came out at a nice pace and our waters were constantly refreshed. The ambiance and interior were beautiful - we appreciated it was quiet. For my birthday, they brought out a candle on the dessert with a birthday note on the plate, which was a nice touch. There's a private dining room downstairs that seats up to 14 or 20, that we will have to check out next time. What a gem. Highly recommend!!

    Uni
    Grace H.

    A new 1 Michelin star addition to the upper west side! Cozy and cute spot. Service was great! Fine dinning service! We had the 3-course, as we had multiple events before head. Appetizers were great, while the main course wagyu was amazing! Not so impressed by their desserts but one of their popular item was sold out! Good for friends catchup business dinner, causal date night, but not to consider as formal /romantic date night as the vibe was pretty casual, most people do not dress formal here, we saw sneakers, even athletic clothing mixed in the dining room.

    Amuse
    Rob J.

    There's nothing worse than going out during a polar vortex. It was December 22nd, and NYC was in the midsts of its deepest freeze in our collective, goldfish like memory when it comes to weather or meteorological phenomenons. I heard about this place because two close friends had their second anniversary here. And THEY are socially stratified Broadway financiers. I figured if they considered this place to be the best restaurant in NYC, than surely I had to try it. Their Michelin star (my benchmark for reputable fine dining) didn't hurt either. While I had full intentions of doing the full tasting, I made a critical mistake hours beforehand. You see, I was at Manhatta sucking down multiple winter themed cocktails. By the time I arrived at Essential, I was pretty hammered. If I'm hammered, I can't dedicate myself to the culinary endurance contest that a tasting menu requires. As a result, I settled on the 3 course prix-fixe. To say I was blown away is an understatement. I left Essential gobsmacked and void of sensations - and it wasn't the -3 degree windchill. The leek appetizer, with its show stopping plating, dissolved in my mouth and left me with a deep, visceral impression of a traditional Ashkenazi style soup I remember having at the Chabad house when I was in college bumming a free meal from a team of professional grandmother volunteers. The wagyu main and accompanied sauce was one of the best hunks of meet I've ever had, and could compete with anything being slung in a 2 star restaurant in Paris. The Vacherin dessert, which was described by the staff as an extremely elevated love child of both orange creamsicle and fruity pebbles, was one of the single best bites of food I've ever had. Essential deserves 2 Michelin stars, and I'm rooting for their success. I am returning, and not drinking beforehand so I can get the full experience!

    Lobster

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    What a hidden gem with a great à la carte menu while dining at the bar. Hard to beat in a neighborhood without many high quality options

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    Thyme Bar

    4.1(349 reviews)
    2.8 miFlatiron
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    Cozy spot that is always has the best drinks. The presentation of each drink is also very unique…read more Make sure to reserve before you go though, since this place is hard to get in to

    Thyme used to be a fun, charming spot that I genuinely enjoyed visiting and bringing out-of-town…read morefriends to. I was warmly greeted by the gentleman at the door (5 service there), which set a great first impression. However, as soon as I walked downstairs, it felt like the space had lost its speakeasy vibe. I was seated right near the stairs and could feel cold air from outside every time the door opened, which made the experience uncomfortable. I was also surprised to see how much the cocktail menu had been reduced. When I asked about it, the response was that "the place changed a lot." That's fair -- places evolve -- but instead of highlighting the improvements or new strengths, the explanation focused negatively on what the bar used to be. As someone who really enjoyed the former version, that wasn't reassuring. Unfortunately, the drinks themselves didn't make up for it. One of the two cocktails was simply not good. No one came back to check on the drinks, and when I asked for the check after about 20 minutes, there was no acknowledgment that I had barely touched mine or any inquiry about my experience. Overall, a place I once enjoyed and recommended now feels more like a standard dive bar where " Mixologist " were replaced by bartender and were fun cool looking and tasty drinks were replaced by " less complex cocktail ", lacking the warmth and attention to detail that once made it special.

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    Labneh, Aleppo Chili Oil, Olives

    Patent Pending - Bar area.

    Patent Pending

    4.2(431 reviews)
    2.6 miFlatiron
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    I'd give this place 6 stars if I could. It's my favorite speakeasy in the city by far…read more The drinks are absolutely phenomenal. They're experimental, whimsical, delicious, and worth every penny. My absolute favorite is Child of Light, and my BF's was High Frequency Device. The interior was dimly lit, with a couple of candles per table or counter. It's a perfect place for a date night. And while there may be a wait on busier nights, it's always worth the wait. We were sat at the bar once and were very well taken care of by our bartender, Nikola. It was a Sunday night, so it wasn't terribly busy. We chatted up a storm and he was able to create some drinks off the menu just for fun (on request). He also made my BF and me a couple of drinks to celebrate our anniversary too. Wonderful people and wonderful service. Needless to say, we will be back as frequently as we can!

    FIVE STARS FOR PATENT PENDING. This place was recommended by a friend who's a server at a nearby…read morerestaurant and I'm so glad we got to go to celebrate my best friend's birthday Service: 100/10!!! Our bartenders Tess, Tyler and Max were so welcoming and made sure we had a great time. They even sang happy birthday to my friend :) Drinks: Delicious! The Strange Magic (vodka, prosecco, strawberry, citrus) was my favorite drink I tried there Vibes: Intimate, low lighting, but enough space at the booths and bar to go with a small group of friends. Clean bathroom too. The bar/speakeasy was much bigger than the coffee shop it was located behind HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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    I was looking for a spot in the area to meet a friend, and after a quick search settled on Little…read moreNed. As I walked in and saw just how swanky this place is I panicked - there was no way we could just walk in here without a reservation, right? But the hostess was, thankfully, so down to earth. I was straight up like hey I totally messed up and thought we could just walk in here, she was like you know what, let me see what we have. Lo and behold, she did have a table for us - as long as we were out in an hour and a half, which was just the right amount of time. Stepping into this place feels like you're in some secret, super special cocktail club. Decor is super high end, vibes are upscale AF. The cocktail menu is incredible -- and incredibly pricey, but truly worth it. I ordered the Valentino which was strong and sweet, really well made. They gave out a complimentary nut mix that was also delicious. Service was swift and gracious. If you're looking for a spot to impress a date, this is it.

    Come to Little Ned for fantastic cocktails in an intimate setting, you won't be disappointed…read more The space is gorgeous, with bar and table seating on the main floor, as well as some standing tables next to the bar if you can't find a seat right away. There's also seating on the second floor, perfect for couples or small groups. I tried two of their cocktails when I went. The first was the Eastern Julep, a delicious twist on a classic. The mint Moroccan tea gave the drink a cool, refreshing taste on every sip. I also tried the Silver Screen, the closest drink I could find to an old fashioned. It was interesting, there was definitely a hint of a buttery taste. Overall a really balanced bourbon drink. I walked in and found room at the standing tables. A bar seat eventually opened up but I was already on my second drink by then. Definitely make reservations if you're planning a visit!

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    The Tusk Bar

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    4.4(39 reviews)
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    Met with some girlfriends for a night of drinks and bites. Atmosphere is high energy and large…read moreformat so if you have a big group this is a great spot. We enjoyed several types of drinks from the bar and they made the martinis and Last Word "skate" Service is quick and a pleasant experience. A great drink spot.

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    Clemente Bar - Clemente mushroom burger

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    Date: Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 Time: 7:15pm…read moreParty of: 6 Reservation Made Thru: Resy about two weeks prior Accolades: No.15 North America's 50 Best Bars 2026, No.11 North America's 50 Best Bars 2025 *Clemente Martini ($26) *Negroni Colada ($24) *Apples to Orange ($26) *Oyatsu Club ($25) *Parakeet ($24) *Glenfiddich Reserve ($25) *Against the Grain ($26) *Three Boxes ($25) Our reservation was originally for a party of five. We had an extra person when we checked in and they happily added her to the rez. We just had to wait about 15 mins which was fine. We were seated around 7:30pm. It was busy and bustling in the upstairs bar. We were seated at a spot resembling a coffee table(s) with chairs / ottomans surrounding it. I got the martini. It was a fun play with the green curry and saffron. This place is a little loud, so it is not easy to have a convo with your party. I am old so this probably wouldn't have been something I clocked in my younger years. They do have food which looks intriguing. Especially anything with truffles on it. If in the area, would definitely consider coming back for a quick drink and bite. REVIEW #4013

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    Essential by Christophe - french - Updated May 2026

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