All 92 rated mentions, most helpful first
“I recently went to Essential by Christophe for my anniversary and it was a totally different experience having the appropriate glass. The attention to detail from drinks to wine to food made the entire occasion more memorable and I could also actually taste my wine!”
H3
“Everything great, with the langoustine rivaling, if not surpassing, Frantzen's interpretation and the turbot one of the best I've had. l'd recommend Essential without hesitation and it's safely in my top three for NYC.”
H3
“I LOVE this restaurant. Pro-tip is sit at the bar and get the burger. Nobody talks about it, but its one of the best burgers in the city and the fries are fantastic.”
H3
“Essential by Christophe was not worth it to me - brusque service and kind of corporate vibe. Maybe I ordered badly, but I thought the food was rich and unbalanced.”
H3
“Dinner overall was terrific. Would recommend.”
H3
“We had a great meal, had a great time. The food is definitely Michelin star material, it has the usual four gras and foams and Pettis Fours and amuse bouche. We found everything to be high-quality highbrow type food, but not stuffy and everything was recognizable. We both agreed we would return soon”
H3
“the divine pommes puree (and everything else) at Essential by Christophe”
H2
“I'm still dreaming about that mushroom cappuccino from when I had it last summer! Glad to see this spot getting some love.”
H2
“you'll spend that at essential cristophe and it's almost worth it...”
H2
“Not stuffy, but warm, efficient service and terrific French/Asian food.”
H2
“it was honestly fantastic. The service (and burger!) at the bar were top notch.”
H2
“Love Essential. It’s one of the UWS’ first real deal fine dining establishments in quite some time. Their menu is inventive and well executed, I also thought their wine program was pretty great.”
H2
“Best fine dining I’ve been to recently is Essential on west 77th. I went there and to per se this year, and I thought essential has better food.”
H2
“Essential by Christophe is another upscale experience that's an accessible price bracket.”
H2
“We have similar tastes. U would like the burger at Essential by Christophe.”
H2
“Love Essential. Though I will admit, we have only sat at the bar (wife and I are bar flies, if you will). That burger is so damn good. As is the amuse-bouche (that mushroom cappuccino or whatever it is).”
H2
“Excellent service, terrific wine list, and lots of secluded romantic corners.”
H2
“My wife and I went earlier this year and it sounds exactly like what you’re wanting. Pretty much everyone there was just kicking back with friends and a nice bottle of wine while eating some incredibly delicious food. I felt like the service and ambience was very warm and inviting.”
H2
“The burger at the bar at Essential on the UWS is delicious, not greasy, and comes with crispy and delicious shoestring fries”
H2
“I ate at Essential last night and could be more disappointed. The food was ok. Could have had any of it for half the price at comparable UWS spots.”
H2
“Warm and inviting space with relaxed and attentive service and fantastic food. Would certainly return and it was one of the highlights of our trip.”
H2
“certainly the best value for a chef's tasting menu in the city!”
H2
“The food is always excellent, in my opinion the dining room is pricey and generally out of my budget, but the bar is great value.”
H2
“Can confirm the bar seating with the burger and sea urchin was fantastic - service, food, atmosphere. Just well above par, especially for the UWS”
H2
“better than a lot of more decorated places”
H2
“I think Essential has the nicer space and is slightly less $$$ (still very pricey of course), but exchanged for the location on the UWS vs Tribeca.”
H2
“I really loved both Essential and Eulalie. What stood out for me was the service at both; attentive while still being warm/friendly.”
H2
“I’ll take essential by christophe (UWS) over le bernardin.”
H1
“Essential by Christophe would be my vote.”
H1
“Cafe Luxembourg, Jing Fong, Sushi Yasaka, Essential by Christophe”
H1
“Gramercy Tavern, Jua or Essential by Criatophe”
H1
“Some of my tops: odo, Anto, Atomix, Essential, Atera”
H1
“Essential by Christophe”
H1
“Essential by Christophe. They have ala carte, fix price and full tasting menu, that gives you options of which meal to fit your schedule for the met.”
H1
“French: Francie ($180 pre fixe), essential by christophe ($175 or $205)”
H1
“It’s like a cloud was dragged through the ocean. Incredible.”
H1
“I have and I thought it was excellent”
H1
“# Essential by Christophe”
H1
“Loved this, but the tasting menu is $230.”
H1
“What a French-style Michelin star restaurant should be and a crime it didn't get a 2nd star. One of the very few restaurants in NYC operating on a European/global level.”
H1
“For dinner, of the French, Essential by Christophe is my personal favorite.”
H1
“Essential by Christophe is amazing”
H1
“Essential by by Christophe at the bar”
H1
“Essential by Christophe”
H1
“When you’re in the mood for fancy, try essential by Christophe, we really like it there.”
H1
“If you are looking for a splurge Essentials By Cristophe could be a good option.”
H1
“Essential by Christophe”
H1
“But overall probably Essential is your best bet”
H1
“+1 for Essential by Christophe.”
H1
“Essential on Colombus and 77th is fine dining, excellent food for the price, and has a private room.”
H1