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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 21 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 on the Upper West Side
Essential by Christophe was awarded one MICHELIN Star in 2023 and retains it in the current guide. The New York Post named it the best restaurant on the Upper West Side in 2025.
Set at the base of a classic townhouse on West 77th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam, the dining room is a short walk from Lincoln Center, the Beacon Theatre, and Central Park. Chef Christophe Bellanca serves contemporary French menus built on seasonal ingredients and classic technique. Guests may choose the four-course Discovery Menu or the seven-course Chef's Tasting Menu, each with optional wine and non alcoholic pairings. A three-course pre-theatre menu is available on select evenings, and à la carte dining is offered at the bar.
Dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended.
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.