The Essential is a cute American bistro spot. With its new location on first Avenue, the essential has a cute outdoor patio and inside seating. Personally do miss their prior location as it felt more French and cozy. Also, a big new plus is that they've opened brunch for reservations on resy - able to secure a table just the day before! Onto the food. Enjoyed the burger for brunch. The burger is quite vertical so definitely had to attack with fork and knife. My friends had the breakfast hash and the pancakes with eggs and bacon, which they enjoyed. The star of the show for this meal was the carrot cake - it has a nice crême with the cake, and the cake itself was very moist. Definitely miss their croque madame menu items when they were going for a more French-inspired bistro feel. Definitely now more of an elevated American brunch spot. Will still be coming back especially since it's easier to get reservations. read more

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Food was awesome, steak and eggs were cooked perfectly. Pancakes were fluffy. Service was emasculate, Lou was awesome. The vibe was great, everyone just enjoying their time at their respective home tables and music added to the scene. read more

The Essential - Steak and Eggs - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I went for brunch. The service was great. I had the eggs Benedict, and it was phenomenal. Highly recommend. One note, if you do go for brunch, they can't serve alcohol until 10am. read more

The Essential - Eggs Benedict* Smoked Salmon, Hollandaise, Poached Eggs, Housemade English Muffin - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Nice modern atmosphere with a great outdoor seating area. Staff is attentive. The homemade pasta is good for the price point. The chorizo rigatoni and beef cheek pasta had good flavor but did not blow me away. read more

The Essential - Chorizo rigatoni - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Amazing food and amazing service. Went here for a work meeting and everybody ordered a wide variety of food (there is a lot of great selections of fusion style food) and we all left with a full belly and smile on all of our faces. read more

Great date night spot! Service was incredible loved our waiter so much- gave us complimentary champagne for my bday :) Burger is great! Highly recommend ordering it. I loved the bolognese too but it was a little spicier than I like typically. Still great all around! read more

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Went for a late lunch on a Friday. Had the hamburger and it was delicious. The caesar salad was not to my liking. Too bitter. Service was just ok. Ask to just have a scoop of ice cream and was told no!!! It only can be served with the apple something or other. Really ? Overall good food read more

Great spot to enjoy a bite and a drink! I decided to try the Chocolate Street Boulevardier since it came highly recommended by some friends, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. read more

The Essential - The Chocolate Street Boulevardier - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

My mother, sister, and I stopped in here during their weekend brunch. The restaurant has a cozy, casual atmosphere and is just a short ride from the Birmingham airport. I ordered the Caesar salad, which was fine (nothing special) and my sister enjoyed her fried chicken biscuit entrée. I gave this restaurant 2 stars due to my mother's meal and overall service. She ordered the Essential Hash with pan-fried potatoes, but the potatoes were greasy, cold, and basically inedible. She sent it back, but what disappointed me most was the lack of care from the waitress--no real effort to make it right, no alternative suggestions, and no offer of adjustment. My mother ultimately chose not to eat anything else, and we left to find her something later. Service goes a long way. Even a small gesture to make things right can completely turn around a guest's experience. ------------------------------------------- "Because dining is more than food - it's flavor, style and elegance that should be savored one bite at a time." - AMC read more

Lunch was delicious! I had the lunch salad with chicken and my husband had the new risotto on the menu. Both were wonderful and just right for lunch. The server was very polite and helpful. read more

Me and my family went to the essential when they first opened. It was excellent, but we have not been since then we went this evening and the service was fantastic. The food was incredible. The staff was very generous and attentive. I'll definitely be back as soon as possible. read more

I had not been back since they were at the old location. Had to wait a little bit but was not too bad. Met some friends for a pre Christmas brunch. I had the corn beef hash with a biscuit (crunchy and fluffy at the same time!). The chimichurri on the eggs was chefs kiss! Not pictured was the mimosa flight we shared which was exactly what we needed. Our waiter was so kind and let us have girl time while still checking in on us. 10/10 definitely coming back! read more

The Essential - Hash with scrambled eggs - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I was looking for a place to stop for a meal during a cross country roadtrip and what a find! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Attentive service (Riley?) and great ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We shared a Five Grain Salad and Waldorf Salmon Salad. We didn't let them collect the plates until we sopped up the dressing with the big hunks of fresh sourdough bread. I'm still thinking about this meal. We didn't try any drinks as we were driving a long distance, but it looked legit. Made a great memory here. read more

We were seated immediately upon arrival. There was seating available outside. However, we chose to dine inside. There were small tables, booth and bar seating available. The table settings were minimal but complemented the space available. Our drink orders were taken immediately and brought out shortly after. I ordered a pineapple margarita. It was perfect. I had the honey butter pancakes served with strawberry compote with a side of scrambled eggs. It was absolutely delicious. The pancakes practically melted in your mouth. The prices were reasonable. I will definitely be going back soon. read more

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I want to review this The Essential while it is fresh on my brain. A girlfriend and I had brunch there today. We will definitely be back!!! Run down of what we had: Espresso Martinis: perfectly balance! It wasn't overly sweet or creamy. Just a nice balance of espresso and vodka with just the right amount of a creamy froth on top garnished with 3 espresso beans. You know the froth is just right when they can hold the beans without sinking. Yum! We didn't want anything too heavy or something we could whip up at home. We decided to share the 5 grain salad and eggs benedict w/ham. Eggs Benedict: absolute perfection from top to bottom! This was probably one of the most well balanced brunch dishes I have EVER had! The hollandaise was light and had just the right amount of acidity. The egg was beautifully poached, with the yolk rich and creamy. The ham was salty and juicy (not a premade round chunk either). The English muffin was airy and perfectly toasted. Together all of the elements came together in perfect harmony. I will crave this dish! The 5 grain salad: It's farro, barley, wheat berry, carolina rice, on a bed of vinaigrette dressed lettuce topped with a thinly sliced avocado encircled by a ring of whipped feta, and topped with crispy quinoa, garnished with walnuts. It was light, refreshing, and insanely well balanced with flavors and textures. Service: I wish I knew our servers name. She was absolutely on point. She was my idea of perfect service: helpful, warm, unimposing, but attentive. I never once had to scan the room wondering where she was. We were never left guessing. She was there when needed and gone when we didn't. Ambiance: I'm going to have to hold judgement on this for my next visit. It's a popular place and they had several larger parties. The noise level was pretty intense. Once a few of the parties left, it was much more comfortable to have a conversation and enjoy the space. read more

Came for dessert and ordered: pistacho ice cream... it was ok, cappuccino ... was good, and this mediocre chocolate cake that was not good... dry and taste like cardboard. read more

The Essential - Pistachio ice cream, cappuccino and chocolate cake - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

This place was fantastic! Super intimate, great date night spot with outstanding food and service! Highly recommend and will definitely be returning! read more

The Essential - A Star is Born, seasonal chai old fashioned - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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We visited The Essential to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday. The Manager was amazing, he made sure we were comfortable and the guest of honor was enjoying herself. The food here is amazing so you really can't go wrong with ordering any dish. We brought a cake from outside so although there was a cake cutting fee, they lit the candles and delivered each slice so that was a nice touch. read more

The Essential - Focaccia bread, amazing! - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I came in for Saturday brunch with a friend, and the restaurant was packed. We were told there'd be a 20-minute wait, but we only waited about 10 minutes, which was a nice surprise. The space is quite small, with some outdoor seating. We were seated at an island bar in the middle of the room, but overall, it felt very crowded. There wasn't much space between the tables behind us, so our seats were a bit uncomfortable. I was also carrying a purse and couldn't find a good place to put it. That said, I really liked the ambiance and decor; it felt cozy and inviting. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive. The food was also excellent. I ordered a Mimosa and the Essential Hash, and the corned beef was incredibly tender. My friend got the Fried Chicken Biscuit and loved it. I'd definitely come back to try their regular lunch or dinner menu! read more

Stopped in for lunch and a spot to do a little work. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the 5 grain salad with salmon. I was a little skeptical initially as the salmon was shredded as if it came from a can but the combination of the grains and feta with the lemon vinaigrette made it tasty. I'd definitely come back read more

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We've eaten here numerous times and never been disappointed. Everything is delicious. Only complaint is that they need more seating if they're going to continue to serve such amazing food! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]It seats about 40 people inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had a Manhattan which was 2 oz of liquor for 14.00. Not even full 2 shots. I had the Spaghetti with some sauce that had WAAAAY to much cracked pepper in it for 22.00. It was very small portion. It finished HOT with every bite. The caprese salad was a large yellow tomato on top of a Burratta and arugula, topped with scallions no balsamic glaze either for 12.00: costing less than a 1.50 to compose. Where the EFF was the basil? They gave this place $$ signs. These are prices for some higher end places in the city. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is an open faced kitchen and the cook burned some food for someone and you could smell it as you were dining.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The place left me hungry. I went home and had a ham sandwich. The service was good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was noisy and you had to talk over everyone basically yelling to even communicate with your fellow diners.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] What has happened to dining anymore? The psychology of the menu description is better and the actual food? It really showed how they have to make a profit or are people that unaware to be served such a small amount of food. read more

Guys yesterday I got the chance to try The Essential. Not going to lie I only came here because they made the list of 25 best burgers in Alabama so of course I hade to try it. However we had to get some other items to try. To start off the place was very nice and welcoming not a huge place either but not too small. A very nice bar, great place for friends and small family gatherings or even a nice date night. 8/10 I also really loved the open kitchen they had you could see the chefs working hard and getting the dishes out. Our waitress (forgot her name) was probably hands down one of the best waitresses I have ever had and even got some up sales out of me. Also got to meet who I think was either the manager or the owner not sure but he was very nice too. 10/10 on customer service. APPETIZER: BAKED MOZZARELLA (Lioni cheese, calabrian sauce, fontina). This was so freaking good its hard to explain but I'm going to do my best. It's baked mozzarella but eating it you'd definitely think it was fried but it was not. The sauce was so good its not marinara sauce kind of is but with a slight spicy kick. I absolutely devoured this thing. Probably my favorite dish of the whole night. 10/10 We also recieved free focaccia bread which is one of my favorite breads and it was so good. I was not a big fan of the ricotta cheese blend though it's just me I'm not a fan of ricotta cheese lol. But the bread itself was top notch. So fluffy and yet properly toasted and buttery. 8.5/10 Now for what I and all of you are waiting for: CHEESEBURGER (Bear Creek beef, big mac style, fries) This burger was so fresh and delicious don't let the picture fool you it was not very big but still very delicious. The Big Mac style sauce was good. The ingredients you could easily tell were very fresh but I feel like seasoning wasn't executed well and lacked salt and pepper. Fries were cut fresh very good and well seasoned. Do I think it deserves to be on the top 25 list? Yes but what they are charging for it I think it's a bit much for what you actually recieve. 8.9/10 Second entrée was: HALF CHICKEN PIRI PIRI (guajillo marinade, peanut-lime gremolata, fries) This was some flavorful juicy chicken Piri Piri definitely done right however correct me if I'm wrong but half chicken means half a chicken right because we only recieved a butterflied chicken breast. Maybe I'm missing something here and someone can help me understand. 9/10 Last but not least dessert: CARROT CAKE (swiss meringue buttercream, whipped cheesecake) The dessert menu wasn't very extravagant and very limited but I found out they own their own bakery so the cakes were made in house so we got the carrot it. It was very good and very moist however it had coconut all over it and I flat out don't like coconut it's a texture thing not a flavor thing. For the price you pay for it I definitely expected a bigger slice then what we recieved. But with that being said 8.5/10 Would I come back here? Yes! Do I recommend this place? Yes! However I think for what you're paying for some for the items I think the portions should be adjusted accordingly. Staff was spectacular food was great and I really enjoyed my time here. read more

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What is it about this French Cafe that keeps bringing me back? Is it the fabulous welcoming and professional wait staff? Is it the freshly baked authentic breads? Is it the artfully prepared and presented food? Is it the perfectly crafted cocktails and the carefully collecting wine selection? Perhaps it is the beautifully appointed interior, reminescent of a Paris cafe. All of these things rarely come together in one place, but they have here. The chef, the waitstaff, the hosts and hostesses, all deserve the highest compliments!! None of this happens by the way without excellent management. Hats off to everyone for another great experience!! read more

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Very good service and food! Excellent menu options! The cocktail option are great too.

We had drinks and a dessert here with our dog during our one night in Birmingham. The service was exceptional!! Attentive but not overbearing, made some of the best drink recommendations (found a new sparkling red that we cannot stop talking about) and their tiramisu was really good. I wish we had more time as their food looked delicious too. read more

After various recommendations, I was really excited to try this restaurant. Even though it was just okay, I came back on various other occasions to try other menu items... but to no avail. I've tried their five grain salad with salmon, a pasta option, and their chicken piri piri -- the chicken was the best. My favorite dish here is actually their tomato salad, which has chickpeas and a tzatziki sauce. Unfortunately, it is seasonal! For the price point, there are other restaurants in the vicinity that offer more generous portions or have a more expansive menu. However, the service here is always great. They do get very busy, so I recommend putting in a reservation! read more

The Essential - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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My FAVORITE restaurant in Birmingham! The chicken entree is the best chicken I've ever had. A must-try. Cocktails are great, the Lambrusco on the menu is amazing. Service and waiters are always friendly and fun. I need to come back for brunch sometime! read more

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First time giving this place a chance and it did not disappoint! The pasta was cooked perfectly and season great. 10/10 read more

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

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I'd venture to say that my parties initial entry into the building was the best part of the night. The hostess was amazing! The ambiance lighting was cute, and the air conditioning was pleasant. About the food: it wasn't our favorite-- so disappointing. I had been looking forward to this restaurant since we arrived in BHAM. I ordered the focaccia bread, and it was really dry. Tried the Caesar salad which had great flavor but the crumbled croutons were unnecessary, I much prefer croutons whole. I also tried to order the "bistro filet" but they were out and had the skirt steak, so I tried that. It was just okay. Cooked well but lacked flavor and was a tad fatty and served in its grease-- not appetizing. My hubs ordered the lamb bucatini and did not like it. Neither meals were impressive; we actually did not complete them and wished that we had chosen another restaurant. The Essential's menu and food selections sound better than they are. The food was bland, and needed a hint more seasoning. Drinks were not great and tasted very mild in alcohol. Our service was GREAT!! Five stars there. As for the overall vibe; it was a buzz killer. We sat in between two small tables and the vibe was off. Being that we were in Birmingham Alabama, I'm not certain if the issue was Alabamians vs. Californians, White energy vs. Black energy, or Southern vs.Western energy, but whatever it was, we didn't like it. We got some looks and glares that felt a little suspicious and caused us to notice. Although we beat to the sound of our own drum, I'm just keeping it solid and letting you know what type of vibe we felt, so you can gear up. That said, if you're in town-- it's not a must frequent restaurant but it's one that's available until 10p. We may give it one more try, but we'll keep an eye out on the menu and see if it changes at all and expands its options. They need crispy Brussel sprouts, truffle fries, sweet potato fries, corn ribs, a few more appetizer options, and an angel hair pasta dish with garlic, etc. for folks who don't want thick noodles. More variety to the menu will help elevate the restaurant. I'd also recommend a variety of music-- include some smooth Jazz, pop, light rock, and R&B. The country music is okay, but add in some diversity. read more

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Bright, stylish restaurant. Food was really good across the board. Complex flavors and high-quality ingredients/cooking. Tuna carpaccio and mushroom pasta were both divine. Love it! read more

This place has been in our Birmingham eateries list for years. We finally made it, and the place absolutely lives up to the hype. We enjoyed the olives and pickles (pickled okra, actually), chicken piri piri, and the burger. Everything was absolutely delightful. The chicken just might be one of the best chicken dishes we have ever had! It was just enough spice, lots of flavors, and perfectly cooked. It's easy to see why this is a staple dish on the apparently ever-rotating menu! The lemon bliss, old fashioned, Chardonnay, and Moscow mule were really tasty as well. read more

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The enchantress and I really enjoy starting early on Saturday mornings with a long walk around town...makes you feel better about the brunch food and drink planned for afterwards! This week that walk was all around downtown Birmingham, which by the way is a great city! A little after 9am we found ourselves at The Essential. Absolutely our kind of brunch location. Outside seating was already filled up but we enjoyed two bar seats up at the front window. Sipped on sparkling wine while people watching out on the street. While she enjoyed the rich, earthy Mushroom Madame I carbed up with the Essential Hash. Both dishes were outstanding. Chatted about local neighborhoods with Aleiah, a fantastic server. Will definitely be a repeat next time we are in town. read more

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The pasta was perfectly cooked and coated in a rich, flavorful sauce. The seasoning was just right, and the cheese on top melted beautifully. The portion was generous, and the dish was super satisfying. read more

The Essential - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

[[HIGHLIGHT]]I appreciated the comfortable seating and quiet setting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food arrived without a long wait and tasted fresh. Portions were fair for the price. The staff were polite and maintained good service throughout the visit. read more

I can't believe I am just trying this place this year. I've only been for brunch but man, let me tell you it's absolutely scrumptious. I had every intention to try something new but I just couldn't. Their burger has to be top 5 in Bham. The fries are perfectly seasoned and with a nice crunch. I tried the Aperol Spritz but I don't know if this drink is worth the hype. The mimosas on the other hand, let's just say the champagne -orange juice ratio was right where it needed to be. Anywho enough about the food. The servers are great and friendly. The vibe is beautiful and I love a good wallpapered bathroom. I will say if you plan to go to brunch expect to have a wait! Overall this restaurant has met all my expectations and let's just say it really is an essential place! read more

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

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Love the new location! Atmosphere is much cozier than the original location. Server was great and knowledgeable. Food was delicious, only complaint was the size of the hamburger and fry quantity. Seems smaller than before. Tried the Mafaldine and it was delicious. Portion was great, couldn't finish it all. read more

The Essential - House made pasta, Mafaldine - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I came here not too long ago for lunch on a weekday. My server was very courteous. I had the mushroom rigatoni. It was pretty good but I wasn't a huge fan of the way the mushrooms were cooked/the texture of them in the dish. I don't have the best opinion on it since I can be put off by mushrooms at times, so keep that in mind. The food was very good quality and I really liked the pasta. If you don't absolutely love mushrooms though I'd probably stay away from ordering the dish. I really liked the vibe of the place. One thing I would change is that if you come in by yourself you have to sit at the bar and I'm not a huge fan of that, I'd much more prefer a small table. They're limited on space so that might not be doable but it's worth considering read more

The Essential - Mushroom Rigatoni - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Our waiter, Lou, was fantastic, he could be in a movie! The spot has a unique downtown vibe with a quirky mix of decor. The breakfast menu is limited, but everything we tried was excellent. Big shoutout to the cooks, the Eggs Benedict, avocado toast, and beef hash were all delicious. read more

Service was great. Food came out quick. Great portion size. I would get there early, or make reservations..there was a line at the door when we walked up. read more

The Essential - Pancakes, biscuit and gravy - Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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