The food is amazing here, and the prices are just amazing! You can never go wrong with freshly made pasta! The Pear Vermouth is such a great drink of choice as well! read more

The Essential - Menu - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I've been wanting to try this place for a while. I finally got to go this week, and I loved it!! I had the misso frito appetizer, spaghetti with crab, and apple galette for dessert. Everything was delicious! Great atmosphere and great service. It's a little loud inside, but they said they are getting sound panels installed next week. Can't wait to go back! read more

The Essential - Spaghetti with crab - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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This is our go to for brunch and lunch. The peri peri chicken is so good and everything on the breakfast menu is good. Great coffee also.

Came here for dinner on a Saturday night. They were pretty busy and we wanted to sit on the patio so we decided to wait on a table. We waited at the bar and had several great cocktails and the wait ended up being under 20 minutes. The aesthetic is very nice, kind of modern and rustic. It reminded me of a high end Bed and Breakfast. The patio is super cute as well. We started out with the Frittelle because they were out of Shishito peppers (sad face). The appetizer was really good and unique. I don't think I have had anything like it. It was basically a lightly fried ball of cheese (who doesn't like cheese). I had the Fig Royale as my cocktail and it was great. Very subtle and earthy. I decided on the Rigatoni because they make their pasta fresh daily. It had a light chorizo sauce on it and had a creamy taste. It was wonderful, the chorizo was not greasy at all. I think the only thing that could have gone better would have been the service. We were brought our checks and had to wait around 20 minutes to get cashed out (we had to ask the hostess to do it). Overall a super cute place to eat and drink off Morris Ave. I will be back for brunch for sure. read more

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This is one of the best spots in Birmingham!! Best pancakes south of Brooklyn (Tied with a Brooklyn restaurant named Cafe Luluc). All the food is great and the drinks are even better. read more

This is one of the best restaurants in Bham. Hands down recommend the pastrami breakfast sandwich! I recommend getting there before 9:30 AM go get good parking and a quite brunch. read more

This is a review for dessert only (although I have also eaten lunch at The Essential and it was also 5 star worthy). We arrived at about 9:15 on a Saturday evening and just wanted dessert. We chose to sit on the patio rather than wait for a table (only quoted a 15 minute wait or was offered seating at the bar as well). We came specifically for the carrot cake, but they had sold out for the day! So sad! We chose to order the Apple Crumble Tart and the Butter Croissant Ice Cream. Both were excellent!! read more

The Essential - Apple Crumble Tart, Butter Croissant Ice Cream - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Made dinner reservations well in advance and showed up on time. We were seated and never waited on. We sat and waited for over 15 minutes with no service, no offer of water, or anything. I made eye contact all wait staff with no action made by any of them. The restaurant only had 3 couples in the indoor dining area and 2 outside. I can't help but feel this establishment is racist as we are Black couple. Especially when I watched a couple of White ladies be seated get immediate attention from their server!!! This is piss poor and unacceptable and I will be calling management!!! read more

I have not tried dinner at The Essential but the brunch here is the best in Birmingham. Worth the wait time.

This has to be the most underrated restaurant in Birmingham. I can't rave enough about the experiences my wife and I have had here. The apps, entrees and most definitely the desserts are delicious. If you haven't started frequenting The Essential it's your loss. The atmosphere, service and the food are off the charts. read more

This cozy and inviting little bistro is exactly what Morris Avenue needed. The food, drinks, and service are phenomenal! I love sitting on their patio right by the cobblestone street. The owners have handled COVID19 extremely well and have made changes to their procedures accordingly to keep staff and patrons safe. Highly recommend this Birmingham gem! read more

We came here for brunch and it was amazing! My husband and I split the eggs Benedict (highly recommend!! ) and he ordered one of their homemade pop tarts and loved it. Go early bc this place gets packed early. We got there 15 min before it opened and 3 parties were ahead of us. read more

I love this place! My first time getting a take away order online ordering ... it worked so smooth, the food was mega fresh and as delicious as always, and they've done such a great job adapting to this strange time with very comfy and safe indoor, outdoor dining, drinks, and takeaway. Great job guys and keep it up! My hash and oat milk latte were on point! read more

The Essential didn't completely meet my expectations but I think it's understandable why. The drinks were good. I had the 20th century and the atom ant with the ant being my clear favorite (it's an aperol based drink and I'm an aperol spritz girl so there was no contest there). To start we had the babaganoush with sourdough bread to dip (as my vegan accommodation). Though babaganoush is normally my favorite dip (far surpassing hummus any day) this was a little disappointing. It was served lukewarm while it is traditionally served warmed to bring out the flavors. This temperature did it no favors. I think the eggplant hadn't been roasted long enough or with enough seasoning because it was very bland. The redeeming factor was the green harissa on top which added a little kick to the babaganoush. I would likely get it again as it did the job but if I were rating babaganoushes in town, this would go fairly low on the list. Some other disappointments came from the poached tuna and the beef tartare. My aunt had both of these and I didn't try them so I can't completely speak to them but can summarize our conclusions. The tuna tasted delicious (she said) but we both observed the presentation was lacking. Because the tuna had been poached, it came out looking a little lack luster. Sort of like canned cat food had been chunked out of a can... It was amplified because there was too much tuna for the plate size so it really just looked unappealing. I would place less tuna and consider plating it like a tartare, not a salad. Or if going for another salad type option, plate with smaller vegetables than full squashes underneath. The other disappointing dish was the tartare. Tartare is meant to bring out the flavors in raw meat yet this one was packed with mustard seeds, diced peppers, and vinegar making it overwhelming and not a traditional tartare. Though it seems the essential isn't going for traditional international foods, I think there are certain dishes which have the delicately be played with. For a main, I had the canestri pasta without the ricotta. This felt like the green version of cacio e pepe but in the best way possible. The sauce felt complex enough that I couldn't make it at home but not overwhelming at all. The pasta was a perfect shape and size for the sauce and the poblano pieces added a perfect amount of fresh crunch. I finished the plate easily. My brother got the chicken Peri Peri which I was able to sneak a few fries from. The fries had some of the Peri Peri and peanuts on them and if I weren't vegan, that would 100% be my dish. The sauce was spot on and I adored the use of "peanuts from next door". My mother had the 5 grain salad which I tried and can confirm is absolutely delicious. It's filling with the rice/chickpea base but not too heavy as it has lettuce and whipped feta mixed in. The salad is served slightly warm which I always appreciate but some may not. If a day comes when I'm no longer vegan, this salad and that Peri Peri chicken will be my staples. I absolutely love the essential for what they are doing for subtly bring dishes from different parts of the world to Birmingham. To bring African Peri Peri and french tartare in an accessable way is difficult (as shown through Tau Poco, bottletree, and Saigon Avondale not making it). I will certainly be back to keep exploring their menu and see how things continue to evolve! read more

They're OPEN, YEA!! Socially distancing, staff is wearing a mask and gloves, very contentious cleaning, felt VERY comfortable! And while they were down, chefs collaborated on a fab welcome back menu! Pasta to die for, bread not to miss, and THEN, there are THE DESSERTS!! They're doing it ALL right!! read more

The Essential - Strawberries and Cream & Chocolate Chess Pie - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Food was very mediocre. Ambience was cold. Was brunch- Split the steak and potatoes and some kind of quiche or something.Worst bloody mary ever. read more

I went there todaag on a Saturday around noon time. Wait time inside for party of 3 was 45 minutes if seated inside but no wait time seated outside. We sat outside inside. We had the brunch menu. Options varied from Benedicts to avocado toast and granola bowls. The Benedict amaziNf as they eggs are prepared runny likee supposed to be with great contrast of fresh ingredients. Subbed salmon for pork on one Benedict and the other avocado with pickled red peppers was amazing. The only option for egg and cheese sandwich had ham on it so I subbed avocado as we do not eat ham. The bun is soft the cheese with the egg great combination. Everything is great but only us suggestion is to offer non-pork meat option such as turkey sausage or chicken as that would have made the sandwich much better. I got avocado on it but pulled it of and gave to my family as they love avocado. Thee french toast with strawberries was great Very soft Aan's moist with crispy crust. read more

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One of my biggest pet peeves is when I go to a restaurant and one of the people I'm with scoffs and says "I could make this myself." I always thought they were exaggerating to make a point, then I tried food from The Essential. I first went to Feast & Forest, its predecessor, about a year ago and was unimpressed by the sandwich and cookie that I ordered. I was excited to try The Essential because I had heard so many great things and thought that maybe I judged Feast & Forest too harshly, especially since I hadn't even tried their pasta - which they are known for. I went to The Essential about a week ago and had their breakfast sandwich for brunch. It wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't worth the price tag and I actually have made tastier breakfast sandwiches myself. The bread was lackluster, the eggs were unseasoned, and when they put the sauce on they put a tiny, thin spread right in the middle so I only had it in a few bites and could hardly even taste it. I went back again tonight to try the pasta - I ordered the gemelli - and was once again thoroughly unimpressed. It tasted like an attempt to make elevated mac & cheese that just ended up falling flat. It managed to be bland and almost pungent at the same time. I made mac & cheese a few weeks ago and ended up throwing it out because I didn't think it tasted good, and the mac & cheese I made tasted better than what I got at The Essential. I also ordered their sourdough appetizer. The bread was dense and flavorless and completely unidentifiable as a sourdough. On top of their bland food, the service is poor and the layout of the restaurant is confusing. Both times I have been waited on by an inattentive waitress. When we were eating tonight, we were only the second table seated in the entire restaurant but it still took about 15 minutes for our waitress to come back to our table after we were seated. When you walk into the restaurant it is not apparent what you should do. It has the vibe of a casual place where you can seat yourself, but apparently there is a small, unattended hostess stand. The first time I went there, the hostess was standing behind the bar when we walked in, doing nothing, and when we tried to seat ourselves, she ran out and let us know that we were wrong to try to seat ourselves. This restaurant is all hype but it does not deliver. The food is not offensively bad, but everything I have tried was bland and flat - truly things that I could make myself and do a better job. Birmingham has so many delicious restaurants and there are so many places in the city to try that are far superior. There are better places to go to in Birmingham that offer what The Essential tries to offer: Continental Bakery has better breads and pastries, Gianmarco's has better pasta, Trattoria has better brunch, and Real & Rosemary has a similar hipster vibe and delicious food. The Essential prioritizes its looks and atmosphere over the quality of its food. I was so excited to eat there and I really tried to like it, but every visit has ended in disappointment. After a few meals at The Essential, I will not go back. read more

The Essential - Gemelli. Nothing special. Doesn't live up to the hype. - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Fantastic food that is rich with purposefully included ingredients, excellent service, and great atmosphere (modern and hipster like). The hash is perfectly balanced, and the Benedict's are the best I've had in Birmingham. read more

I basically give it 3 stars because the waitress And service were excellent. Decided to come here based on the yelp reviews. Came here for lunch with the whole fam.l so had a big group. First it's not so big, so not too good for groups, but second it was really expensive for average food. Had pasta dishes mostly, and was just adequate. Had a few other dishes too but I don't think anyone left with the feeling of "definitely need to come back here". Was a pleasant place, everything was ok. If the price was about half then it would be an extra star. The homemade pop tart was a hit! read more

brunch is incredible and service is always on point. drinks are great. dinner leaves a lot to be desired and for that i gave four stars. but this is a great place to drink and have brunch. read more

I have never enjoyed the Essential much. It's cute and I would definitely pop in for coffee and a pastry but everything I've ever had is very average and too expensive for the quality. The waitstaff seems to be very snooty and I know it's not just me. I saw a waitress jump on Yelp and reprimand a customer for not knowing what sous vid is since he complained his pork was undercooked - hey Essential, if you let your customer be right, treat them equally regardless of perceived social status, and serve them how they want their food to be cooked, maybe you will do a little better :) I try to avoid this place but will admit the pop tarts are irresistible ! read more

Great food. Cool vibe. They put so much love in each bite. Thankful this city has places like this.

One of Birmingham's best restaurants. I've only been for brunch and it never failed to satisfy! My favorite thing has been the bread pudding special. Amazing croissants and baked goods and the eggs are really good too. read more

It's very small and quaint, so show up early! The service is wonderful. The fish sandwich of the day was to die for. Perfectly cooked!

It took me a bit to find because I walked over a bridge, and it was under it. Cute and quaint restaurant on cobblestone street. I was tired and weary from traveling and Yelped "The Essential". When I walked in, there was one bar seat open as if it was waiting for me. The ambience calmed me as if I had just taken a deep breath. I ordered the Mushroom Madame which was as stately as its name. The staff were warm and comforting as a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate with feet up to the fire. read more

Service is very mediocre. Food is tasty. Make sure your employees smile. Are they happy?

Omg! The best meatless spaghetti I've ever had. I'll be drive here from Nashville more often!!! This place is super cute, great service and even better food. read more

The Essential - Yum - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I should have looked at the information about this place before we went with 4 kids and were not treated very kindly. It definitely is not kid friendly and I don't think it's the best for large groups either. We went on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago and were there right when they opened their doors. My sister was headed to the airport with my 2 nieces so we wanted to stop by and all grab a poptart and some coffee on her way out. We weren't planning to stay long but had 3 kids and 1 baby with us - all of whom were well behaved that particular morning. When we asked for a table for 6, they said that their one large table was already taken so our only other option was to sit outside...it was 40 degrees that morning. We saw 3 - 2 person tables all lined up next to each other and asked if we could put the tables together to which the hostess said the manager wouldn't allow for that. So we asked if we could just sit in those 3 tables and not push them together but at least sit next to each other. She was super hesitant but allowed us to do this and then soon after said "well if you are going to sit next to each other then you might as well push the tables together." But I thought we couldn't do that?! Anyways, we were treated like an inconvenience from the second we came in and like several of the other reviews stated, the service is poor. The two stars are for the delicious poptarts and coffee - where this place lacks in showing kindness and welcoming customers, they make up for in their food (at least with what we had). It left a bad taste in my mouth and I'll be sure not to show up with kids or a large group here again! read more

This place is amazing. The food was perfect from the appetizer to dessert. They have a great wine selection and half off bottles on Monday--plus $10 pastas from 5-6. I will absolutely come back again for dinner. I can't wait to try the brunch! read more

My friends and I went to The Essential on our lunch break one day. The prices were high but slightly understandable since they claim the pasta is made in house. However, the portion you receive is tiny compared to the outstanding bill. The croissants and homemade pop tarts are delicious but again be prepared to drop a couple of dollars. The number of people in such a tight space does put a damper on the atmosphere and the cute interior. read more

This is definitely a cool little restaurant around Birmingham entertainment district. The vibes of this place were what I think of as a classic brunch spot. It felt similar to 5 bar in Lakeview district (but much smaller). I went for Sunday brunch with a couple friends and enjoyed the atmosphere. I ordered the steak and eggs (scrambled) and it was delicious. If you like your meat cooked more than medium-rare be sure to tell your waiter. My only complaint would be that we had a party of 3 and were seated at a table that was clearly for 2. But we made it work. Be prepared to wait 30 mins or so, but overall good experience. read more

The Essential never misses. Brunch & dinner service are equally fantastic. From the food and drinks to the service, they're so consistent with quality and I love that they change their menu seasonally. read more

Sunday brunch was more than delicious! The brunch menu is limited, I advise to check what they offer before going. The Eggs Benedict was by far the best my husband has ever had. He stated, the hollandaise sauce was prepared just right, did not take over the whole dish. Due to my food allergies I ordered the Avocado Toast minus the bread and added smoked salmon. Everything was so fresh, the smoked salmon literally melted in your mouth. The energetic music, attentive staff and positive vibe flowing throughout the restaurant definitely added to the experience. We will without a doubt be back on our next Birmingham visit. read more

Wonderful atmosphere and decor, but that's about it. The food is decent but overpriced and the menu is limited. Service and location (including parking) are so-so. I've been a few times now and can't say I want to go back. I was so looking forward to this place. I miss Feast and Forest... read more

Was looking for a great brunch place, lucked up and found the best. A little busy but we were at peak hours on a Saturday morning. Was able to hit up the local shops while we waited. Had the steak and eggs hash. Steak was cooked perfectly and sliced nicely. read more

We had dinner here last night pre-show and it was packed on a Tuesday night! My Mushroom Toast and Crispy Brussel Sprouts were delicious. I had the Rye "Punch" cocktail and it was good but did not warrant the $14 price tag! Great service and vibe. read more

Always so good. Price is right. Food and service always fantastic !! They take pride and it is obvious.

This was such a fun experience! I'm not from this area and my friend found this place so we decided to try it! They open at 9am. We went on a Sunday morning and got there a few minutes before they opened and there was already a line waiting to get in. I recommend, especially on the weekend, to get there before they open so you can get a seat. It's a small place and we were one of the last to snag a seat. I have zero complaints about the food. I got the mushroom madam and it was absolutely incredible. The service on the other hand was slow. Our whole visit took over an hour. Also, our waiter was so kind however forgot we order a croissant to share and he never brought it to us. It ended up being a good thing because we were so full from our meal, however; when you order something you expect to get it. Thankfully he didn't charge us for it so it ultimately must have slipped his mind. If you're in Birmingham please make sure to stop here. If on the weekend, get there early and be prepared for your visit to maybe take longer than expected. read more

Beware... You win some, you lose some. The Essential brunch was a loss. Be prepared for the possibility of waiting over an hour for a table and upon being seated being told the kitchen has very little food remaining. The kitchen appears to be managed poorly and is high risk for a disappointing experience. read more