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Main content starts here, tab to start navigatingWelcome to Essential by Christophe
As a cuisinier for over 35 years, Michelin-starred French Chef Christophe Bellanca continues to refine his craft through restraint, precision, and purity of flavor. At Essential by Christophe, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, we offer a dining experience that celebrates modern French cuisine and thoughtful hospitality.
Our seasonal tasting menus highlight pristine ingredients and vibrant, house-made sauces through refined French technique. Each dish is composed with intention, allowing simplicity to shine and depth of flavor to emerge naturally. From delicate seafood to elegant vegetables and curated wine pairings, we invite you to discover our vision of fine dining in New York City.
— Chef Christophe Bellanca
View MenusPrivate Events
The private dining room at Essential by Christophe accommodates up to 18 guests in an atmosphere of quiet refinement and understated elegance. Designed by Parisian interior designer Caroline Egasse, the space provides an intimate setting for thoughtfully composed gatherings—whether celebratory, professional, or personal.
Seasonal, ingredient-driven menus are tailored in collaboration with Chef Christophe Bellanca, reflecting the same precision and French technique found throughout the restaurant.
For inquiries regarding availability and pricing, please contact
events@essentialhospitalitynyc.com.
Michelin Starred Restaurant
Essential by Christophe is a Michelin-starred French restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, offering refined tasting menus by Chef Christophe Bellanca. Seasonal ingredients, classic French technique, and subtle global influences come together in an elegant, modern setting near Lincoln Center.
Recognized by the Michelin Guide for its precision and simplicity, Essential by Christophe is a top destination for fine dining in New York City, known for its warmth, artistry, and ingredient-driven approach to modern French cuisine.
Michelin GuideEssential by Christophe is a French restaurant on the Upper West Side in New York City. Chef Christophe Bellanca presents modern French tasting menus, à la carte dining, and curated wine pairings in a refined, romantic setting steps from Lincoln Center and Central Park.