Last Updated: 18 days ago
Phone: (973) 746-1510
Address: 103 WEST 77 STREET 10024
Elegant French w/ Asian flair. Elevated cuisine & stellar soufflé. Worth the splurge.
This elegant French-inspired restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience with a fusion of traditional techniques and bold Asian influences. Known for its "simple elegance," the menu features innovative dishes that have garnered critical acclaim, including a standout orange soufflé and a highly praised burger at the bar. Despite its upscale nature, many find it to be an accessible yet impressive choice for special occasions or a refined night out.
The cuisine is a masterful blend of French technique with vibrant Asian influences, characterized by 'simple elegance'. Standout dishes include a delicate white asparagus, innovative blue prawns, and a braised black sea bass. The orange soufflé is a must-try, and the burger served at the bar is also a customer favorite. While tasting menus are generally well-received and filling, some find the portion sizes small for the price.
"The orange soufflé is frequently cited as a must-try dessert. Additionally, the burger and fries served at the bar have received significant praise and are considered by some to be among the best in the city."
Customers consistently praise the elegant ambiance and the sophisticated, well-executed French-Asian cuisine. Standout dishes like the soufflé and bar burger are frequently highlighted, alongside excellent service, making it a highly recommended fine-dining experience.
Important Note
Some diners have expressed concern over the portion sizes in the tasting menu, questioning the value for the price, though many others find the tasting menus to be satisfying.
"Essential by Christophe is included in a list of recommendations for splurging on a meal in NYC, with links to articles about fancy dining."
Positive"Suggests Essential by Christophe on the Upper West Side, contingent on the budget being for food only."
Positive"Essential by Christophe was suggested as a great choice for the occasion if the user is staying on the west side of Central Park."
Positive"This commenter lists Essential by Christophe as a French fine-dining option in NYC with Michelin stars, noting that some high-end establishments offer full tasting menus at the bar."
Positive"This was a suggestion for an engagement gift for a couple in their early thirties living on the UWS. The suggestion was a specific restaurant name."
Neutral"This commenter recommended Essential by Christophe on the UWS, noting it has one Michelin star."
Positive"The user is happy the review didn't imply a star loss. They frequently visit the bar for the burger and orange soufflé, and found the tasting menu for their engagement dinner excellent. They feel the dining room is pricey but the bar offers great value."
Positive"This user clarifies their previous comment about tasting menus, stating they sometimes leave hungry but never starving, and humorously mentions grabbing fries from Shake Shack after leaving Eleven Madison Park."
Neutral"The user is relaying a quote from Eric Ripert, who apparently praised the chef and restaurant, suggesting it deserves daily press coverage. They also commented on portion sizes in a separate comment."
Positive"Essential by Christophe is listed as a French restaurant recommendation."
Positive"This user speculates about the restaurant potentially paying for a Michelin star and compliments the author's writing style, comparing it to a well-known food critic."
Neutral"In response to criticism of tasting menu pricing, the user suggests that such experiences might not be for everyone and highlights the training and effort of the restaurant staff."
Positive"This user suggests that $100 omakase experiences in the city are often 'cookie cutter' and may leave one hungry, contrasting it with tasting menus that don't typically have that effect."
Negative"The user clarifies they found their omakase experiences unique and interesting, despite the previous comment suggesting otherwise for $100 meals."
Neutral"Echoing a previous sentiment, this user agrees that people defending high-priced, small-portion tasting menus are likely justifying their own spending."
Negative"The user believes that tasting menu portions are minuscule and that people defending them are justifying the high cost rather than genuinely being full."
Negative"The user expresses appreciation for the information about the bar being walk-in only and plans to visit before a show at AMC Lincoln Square."
Neutral"This user criticizes the pricing of tasting menus, calling it 'lunacy' and suggesting people defend it to avoid feeling foolish for paying so much."
Negative"This user quotes the 'meal for ants' comment and humorously suggests the portions should be three times larger."
Negative"The user sarcastically comments on the amount of food, implying it's insufficient."
Negative
