We had a fantastic evening. The Essential Menu was great in terms of taste and the corresponding wines were fantastic. The service was always friendly and very accommodating. We will be back. Highly Recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lauren P.
What a unique and special experience. The chef considers every aspect of fine dining at his Michelin rated restaurant. Service is impeccable, quiet upscale dining with a variety of exquisite tasting food , beautiful dishes and a variety of wine to choose from with a sommelier. We wanted our children to experience a top French restaurant with a tasting menu. We enjoyed the seven course "essential menu." Dined on so many tasty dishes. Absolutely my favorite was the wagyu. Best thing I have ever tasted. It's extremely pricey so save this for something very special if cost is a factor.
Addison P.
Recently ate at the french style restaurant "essential" located on the upper west side, with my family. We decided to choose the "7 course essential menu" there are also 3 and 4 courses you can choose from as well. Overall since the food was very small portions I felt it allowed me to try a little bit of everything without feeling over stuffed. The restaurant was very clean and elegant. The service was super fast and efficent. The detailing on each of the dishes allowed such a warm welcoming experience. The duck was by far my favorite as well as the dessert. The waiter does a pristine job explaining each and every course so you know exactly what you are eating and why it taste the way it does. I do have a gluten allergy which was written on the required reservation to attend essential, they made sure everything I was eating was for me and treated my allergy with care and caution which was very appreciated. Essential is a older atmosphere as well as young couples. We wen't around 9:30 and ended at 11:30 so it wasn't very packed or overwhelming.
D Guo
This restaurant hasn't been open for long, but it has quickly gained popularity in New York.They excel in capturing the essence of French cuisine, offering an exceptional dining environment and service. The head chef, who gained fame at Michelin-level French restaurants, has now ventured out on their own. They not only uphold the classic elements of French cuisine but also infuse it with their own creativity. In my opinion, it's more worthwhile to experience than several well-established French restaurants in New York.Additionally, the service at the restaurant is attentive, catering to your individual preferences by adjusting dish combinations and flavors according to your liking. The staff is friendly yet respects diners' privacy, striking the perfect balance.Furthermore, the ambiance and location of the restaurant are excellent. Whether you're planning to attend a concert, opera, or take a stroll in Central Park after dinner, the restaurant is conveniently located near these attractions. The dining experience they offer complements these activities well, making any leisurely outing more memorable.Overall, it's a French restaurant worth experiencing for both tourists and locals alike.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diana Kwon
New Michelin star restaurant on the upper west side. Worth a visit! Beautiful food, understated casual ambiance.
Janine O.
Incredible food, the amuse bouche was made with sweet potato and a mushroom mousse, which was astounding. The courses that followed were so flavorful, technically perfect ( the duck breast was rare, warm and crispy with melt in your mouth texture. THE sommelier, Andrea provided expert guidance on a champagne and a burgundy to accompany the meal. The atmosphere is soothe with beautiful lighting. It's quiet and bustling. Elegant and informal. Can't wait to go back!
Jing Shu
We had our Valentine’s Day dinner here. The food is amazing! Especially the truffle, foi gras and urchin. The mashed potato is very fine and creamy.The gave us an extra mushroom cappuccino to start and a butter cake to take home. We loved both of them.You should also try the wine pairing for sure. They are good at it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes
I K
We chose the Essential tasting menu and wine pairing, which were both excellent and very thoughtfully executed. The overall experience reminded me of meeting a humble, brilliant person out in the wild and very gradually realizing how smart they are because I’m not used to seeing warmth and hospitality paired with brilliance. Fine dining at its finest.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
HolicHolic
Went a bit before they received their star.Friendly service, elegant decor, and good food.In the end, they have been awarded one Michelin star and they definitely deserve it！
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yunique C.
A very creative French cuisine. A completely different level of experience. Should try it out.
Wow incredible dining experience. My bf and I picked the "essential" 7 course menu. Started off with bread on the house and the mushroom cappuccino which was so unique and delicious. Out of the next few courses, my personal favorite was the langoustine. For the main meat course, my bf got the venison and I got the duck and tried each other's. I loved the duck flavor more but the venison texture was absolutely perfect. The extremely silky smooth mashed potatoes that came with the meats were unexpected but also a highlight. Finally for dessert, le gin dandy was my fav bc the flavors were so unique, never had anything like it. Aside from food, the presentation was awesome. They paid a lot of attention to geometry, always adjusting our plates and silverware into a triangle formation. And many of the dishes arrived with interesting shaped covers (not shown in pics) that made the experience feel particularly artsy. The inside of the restaurant seemed trendier, less intimate than other fine dining places I've been and there were a lot more people than I expected. I personally didn't mind that so I thought it was still an excellent vibe!
Sarah K.
My boyfriend and I each ordered the essential menu. I had to order substitutions for the sea urchin and the langoustine due to crustacean allergy. I ordered the hamachi and the octopus instead. For cocktails, we ordered the Gene Sais Pais, Helicopter, Rosalita and Harvest Highball. Our Favorite is hands down the Harvest Highball! Then for his Rosali and for mine Helicopter. We would say the foods were on the creamy, rich, heavy and salty side, which is what you would get from a French restaurant. The service was excellent. They come and clean the table every so often, refill your water bottle and fold your napkin when leaving the table. The ambiance in here is a modern cozy home like vibes. You won't be disappointed if you enjoy French cuisine!
Jeffrey Zabinski
One of the newest Michelin-starred restaurants in the city - was a hit for us and we would be delighted to return for special occasions. We had 4 courses, and found every dish to be sophisticated, balanced, and thoughtful. Each time the next course was on the way, it was easy to get excited to see what they had created. Service was friendly and unpretentious. Dining room was nicely designed with muted colors - and warmly lit - such that the colors and flavors on the plate were the stars. What a nice addition to the Upper West Side!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops with Truffle, Black Bass
Ryan Duan
Best dinner I’ve had in my life. I would come back just for the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hans Fetscherin
This was our third visit and Essential becomes more and more refined. Great atmosphere, innovative and wonderfully assembled dishes, from beginning to end. Great wine list too. Bravo !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hamachi Yellowtail, Mashed Potatoes, Black Bass, Vacherin
We had a fantastic evening. The Essential Menu was great in terms of taste and the corresponding wines were fantastic. The service was always friendly and very accommodating. We will be back. Highly Recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a unique and special experience. The chef considers every aspect of fine dining at his Michelin rated restaurant. Service is impeccable, quiet upscale dining with a variety of exquisite tasting food , beautiful dishes and a variety of wine to choose from with a sommelier. We wanted our children to experience a top French restaurant with a tasting menu. We enjoyed the seven course "essential menu." Dined on so many tasty dishes. Absolutely my favorite was the wagyu. Best thing I have ever tasted. It's extremely pricey so save this for something very special if cost is a factor.
Recently ate at the french style restaurant "essential" located on the upper west side, with my family. We decided to choose the "7 course essential menu" there are also 3 and 4 courses you can choose from as well. Overall since the food was very small portions I felt it allowed me to try a little bit of everything without feeling over stuffed. The restaurant was very clean and elegant. The service was super fast and efficent. The detailing on each of the dishes allowed such a warm welcoming experience. The duck was by far my favorite as well as the dessert. The waiter does a pristine job explaining each and every course so you know exactly what you are eating and why it taste the way it does. I do have a gluten allergy which was written on the required reservation to attend essential, they made sure everything I was eating was for me and treated my allergy with care and caution which was very appreciated. Essential is a older atmosphere as well as young couples. We wen't around 9:30 and ended at 11:30 so it wasn't very packed or overwhelming.
This restaurant hasn't been open for long, but it has quickly gained popularity in New York.They excel in capturing the essence of French cuisine, offering an exceptional dining environment and service. The head chef, who gained fame at Michelin-level French restaurants, has now ventured out on their own. They not only uphold the classic elements of French cuisine but also infuse it with their own creativity. In my opinion, it's more worthwhile to experience than several well-established French restaurants in New York.Additionally, the service at the restaurant is attentive, catering to your individual preferences by adjusting dish combinations and flavors according to your liking. The staff is friendly yet respects diners' privacy, striking the perfect balance.Furthermore, the ambiance and location of the restaurant are excellent. Whether you're planning to attend a concert, opera, or take a stroll in Central Park after dinner, the restaurant is conveniently located near these attractions. The dining experience they offer complements these activities well, making any leisurely outing more memorable.Overall, it's a French restaurant worth experiencing for both tourists and locals alike.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
New Michelin star restaurant on the upper west side. Worth a visit! Beautiful food, understated casual ambiance.
Incredible food, the amuse bouche was made with sweet potato and a mushroom mousse, which was astounding. The courses that followed were so flavorful, technically perfect ( the duck breast was rare, warm and crispy with melt in your mouth texture. THE sommelier, Andrea provided expert guidance on a champagne and a burgundy to accompany the meal. The atmosphere is soothe with beautiful lighting. It's quiet and bustling. Elegant and informal. Can't wait to go back!
We had our Valentine’s Day dinner here. The food is amazing! Especially the truffle, foi gras and urchin. The mashed potato is very fine and creamy.The gave us an extra mushroom cappuccino to start and a butter cake to take home. We loved both of them.You should also try the wine pairing for sure. They are good at it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes
We chose the Essential tasting menu and wine pairing, which were both excellent and very thoughtfully executed. The overall experience reminded me of meeting a humble, brilliant person out in the wild and very gradually realizing how smart they are because I’m not used to seeing warmth and hospitality paired with brilliance. Fine dining at its finest.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went a bit before they received their star.Friendly service, elegant decor, and good food.In the end, they have been awarded one Michelin star and they definitely deserve it！
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A very creative French cuisine. A completely different level of experience. Should try it out.
Restaurantji Recommends
Wow incredible dining experience. My bf and I picked the "essential" 7 course menu. Started off with bread on the house and the mushroom cappuccino which was so unique and delicious. Out of the next few courses, my personal favorite was the langoustine. For the main meat course, my bf got the venison and I got the duck and tried each other's. I loved the duck flavor more but the venison texture was absolutely perfect. The extremely silky smooth mashed potatoes that came with the meats were unexpected but also a highlight. Finally for dessert, le gin dandy was my fav bc the flavors were so unique, never had anything like it. Aside from food, the presentation was awesome. They paid a lot of attention to geometry, always adjusting our plates and silverware into a triangle formation. And many of the dishes arrived with interesting shaped covers (not shown in pics) that made the experience feel particularly artsy. The inside of the restaurant seemed trendier, less intimate than other fine dining places I've been and there were a lot more people than I expected. I personally didn't mind that so I thought it was still an excellent vibe!
My boyfriend and I each ordered the essential menu. I had to order substitutions for the sea urchin and the langoustine due to crustacean allergy. I ordered the hamachi and the octopus instead. For cocktails, we ordered the Gene Sais Pais, Helicopter, Rosalita and Harvest Highball. Our Favorite is hands down the Harvest Highball! Then for his Rosali and for mine Helicopter. We would say the foods were on the creamy, rich, heavy and salty side, which is what you would get from a French restaurant. The service was excellent. They come and clean the table every so often, refill your water bottle and fold your napkin when leaving the table. The ambiance in here is a modern cozy home like vibes. You won't be disappointed if you enjoy French cuisine!
One of the newest Michelin-starred restaurants in the city - was a hit for us and we would be delighted to return for special occasions. We had 4 courses, and found every dish to be sophisticated, balanced, and thoughtful. Each time the next course was on the way, it was easy to get excited to see what they had created. Service was friendly and unpretentious. Dining room was nicely designed with muted colors - and warmly lit - such that the colors and flavors on the plate were the stars. What a nice addition to the Upper West Side!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops with Truffle, Black Bass
Best dinner I’ve had in my life. I would come back just for the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was our third visit and Essential becomes more and more refined. Great atmosphere, innovative and wonderfully assembled dishes, from beginning to end. Great wine list too. Bravo !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hamachi Yellowtail, Mashed Potatoes, Black Bass, Vacherin