Menus
Essential by Christophe offers contemporary French fine dining on the Upper West Side of New York City, just moments from Lincoln Center and many of the city’s renowned Broadway and performing arts venues. Our four-course prix fixe menu showcases Chef Christophe Bellanca’s refined, seasonal cuisine, with optional wine and non-alcoholic pairings.
For guests attending performances nearby, our pre-theatre dining experience offers an elegant option for dinner before the show, making Essential by Christophe one of the most refined restaurants near Lincoln Center for a romantic evening or special occasion in Manhattan.
Menu Available
Monday - Thursday
5:30 pm
Essential by Christophe is a Michelin-starred French restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, offering an immersive tasting menu experience created by Chef Christophe Bellanca. The Essential Menu showcases contemporary French cuisine with seasonal ingredients, elegant presentation, and refined wine or non-alcoholic pairings. Located near Central Park and Lincoln Center, the restaurant is recognized among New York City’s premier destinations for fine dining and modern French gastronomy.
Pour Commencer
-
Mushroom Cappuccino
sweet potato / madeira reduction
Un & Deux
choice of two:-
Razor Clams
eventail / chawanmushi inspired / fennel shoyu
Champagne, Moussé, ‘L’Or d’Eugene,’ Blanc de Noirs NV, France
-
Blue Prawns
smoked pike roe / genmaicha tuile / dill & chive bouillon
Jurançon Sec, Bellegarde, ‘Pierre Blanche’ 2023, Sud-Ouest, France
-
Toro Saku
mi cuit / tamarind / mandarinquats / sea condiment
Sake, ONO, Nagaoko, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
-
Scallop
lightly smoked / gold ossetra caviar / champagne hazelnut
Listan Blanco, Arautava, ‘Finca la Habanera’ 2021, Canary Islands, Spain
-
Black Bass
braised / artichoke & manila clams / turmeric
Treixadura, Bibei, ‘Lalume’ 2022, Ribeira Sacra, Spain
-
Poularde
roasted / morels / albufera sauce
Gamay, Mommessin, ‘Côte de Puy’ 2023, Morgon, Beaujolais, France
Dessert
choice of one:-
La Tarte au Chocolat
warm / roasted vanilla ice cream
Rivesaltes Ambré, Rancy 2000 Languedoc, France
-
Le Vacherin
gariguette / orange blossom / lime basil sorbet
Icewine, Liliac & Kracher 2023, Transylvania, Romania
-
La Framboise
crispy fine feuilles / linzer / madagascar vanilla
The Pre-Theatre Experience
three course menu 145
wine pairing 75
réserve wine pairing 110
non-alcoholic pairing 40
⚫
Menu Available
Monday - Thursday
5:30 pm seating only
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.
Our offerings may vary based on ingredient availability and chef inspiration. We appreciate your understanding.
At Essential by Christophe, dinner is an invitation to slow down and savor. Our Upper West Side dining room offers an elegant escape where guests enjoy a thoughtfully curated four course prix fixe menu designed to showcase Chef Christophe Bellanca’s French mastery. Seasonal ingredients are transformed into artful plates, with the option to enhance the experience through expertly selected wine pairings or refined non alcoholic pairings. Whether for a romantic evening, a special celebration, or a refined night of fine dining near Lincoln Center, our dinner menu captures the essence of Michelin level French cuisine in New York City.
Essential by Christophe is a Michelin-starred French restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side offering fine dining and modern tasting menus by Chef Christophe Bellanca. Located near Lincoln Center, the restaurant highlights contemporary French cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and refined wine pairings. Guests visiting the Upper West Side will discover one of New York City’s top destinations for romantic dinners, celebrations, and tasting menu experiences.
Un
-
Dorade Royale
artichoke / gold ossetra caviar / bouillon tiède gourmand
-
Razor Clams
eventail / chawanmushi inspired / fennel shoyu
-
La Langouste
infiniment / crispy / lemon verbena
-
Zebra Tomato
wild red king crab / nepetella / black cherry
-
Octopus
snacké / rosemary smoked white asparagus / aioli emulsion
-
Toro Saku
mi cuit / tamarind / mandarinquats / sea condiment
Deux
-
Blue Prawns
smoked pike roe / genmaicha tuile / dill & chive bouillon
-
Celtuce
grilled / cucumber / buddha’s hand
-
Scallop
lightly smoked / gold ossetra caviar / champagne hazelnut
-
Langoustine
slightly cooked / stuffed zita / swarnadwipa / green curry
-
Frog Legs
blanquette / garlic bouillon / parsley velour
-
Rouget Barbet
grilled / piperade / bouillabaisse reduction
Trois
-
Black Bass
braised / artichoke & manila clams / turmeric
-
Wild Atlantic Turbot
zucchini flower / galangal / zanzibar-amontillado sabayon
-
Kampachi
barely grilled / combawa / château-chalon
-
Lobster
cuit sur la braise / shiitake & snow pea / kampot pepper sauce
-
Squab
racan / roasted / fukushu kumquat / toast à gratin / sauce diable
-
Iberico Pork
presa de bellota / sweet peas & chorizo / jalapeño condiment / omija berries jus
Dessert
-
La Tarte au Chocolat
warm / roasted vanilla ice cream
-
Le Vacherin
gariguette / orange blossom / lime basil sorbet
-
La Framboise
crispy fine feuilles / linzer / madagascar vanilla
-
Brebirousse D’Argental
caramelized walnuts / pineau des charentes
Four Course Experience
Un / Deux / Trois / Dessert
195 prix fixe
95 wine pairing | 140 reserve wine pairing | 50 non-alcoholic pairing
Our offerings may vary based on ingredient availability and chef inspiration. We appreciate your understanding.
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.
The Essential Menu is the signature expression of our kitchen ~ a full tasting journey that reflects Chef Christophe’s philosophy of precision and elegance. This multi-course experience showcases the harmony of French technique with modern refinement, paired seamlessly with either distinctive wines from our collection or bespoke non-alcoholic creations. Dining here becomes a narrative, unfolding course by course in one of the most sophisticated fine dining restaurants on the Upper West Side. Ideal for discerning guests seeking a Michelin-caliber tasting menu near Central Park and Lincoln Center, this is Essential by Christophe at its most inspired.
Essential by Christophe is a Michelin-starred French restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, offering an immersive tasting menu experience created by Chef Christophe Bellanca. The Essential Menu showcases contemporary French cuisine with seasonal ingredients, elegant presentation, and refined wine or non-alcoholic pairings. Located near Central Park and Lincoln Center, the restaurant is recognized among New York City’s premier destinations for fine dining and modern French gastronomy.
-
Mushroom Cappuccino
sweet potato / madeira reduction
choice of-
Toro Saku
mi cuit / tamarind / mandarinquats / sea condiment
Sake, ONO, Nagaoko, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
-
Zebra Tomato
wild red king crab / nepetella / black cherry
Carricante, Nicosia, ‘Monte Gorna’ 2023, Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy
-
Langoustine
slightly cooked / stuffed zita / swarnadwipa / green curry
Muscat, Albert Boxler 2015, Alsace, France
-
Scallop
lightly smoked / gold ossetra caviar / champagne hazelnut
Listan Blanco, Arautava, ‘Finca la Habanera’ 2021, Canary Islands, Spain
-
Black Bass
braised / artichoke & manila clams / turmeric
Treixadura, Bibei, ‘Lalume’ 2022, Ribeira Sacra, Spain
choice of-
Squab
racan / roasted / fukushu kumquat / toast à gratin / sauce diable
Gamay Noir, Liska 2023, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
-
Iberico Pork
presa de bellota / sweet peas & chorizo / jalapeño condiment / omija berries jus
Crozez-Hermitage, Jean-Luc Colombo, ‘Les Fees Brunes’ 2019, Rhône Valley, France
-
Rhubarb
marmalade / sorbet herbacé / parfum de rose
choice of-
Le Vacherin
gariguette / orange blossom / lime basil sorbet
Icewine, Liliac & Kracher 2023, Transylvania, Romania
-
La Tarte au Chocolat
warm / roasted vanilla ice cream
Rivesaltes Ambré, Rancy 2000 Languedoc, France
The Essential Experience
245 prix fixe
170 wine pairing | 245 reserve wine pairing | 75 non-alcoholic pairing
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.
Our offerings may vary based on ingredient availability and chef inspiration. We appreciate your understanding.
Our bar is where refinement meets ease. Perfect for those seeking a more casual yet upscale dining experience on the Upper West Side, the Bar Menu offers a curated selection of à la carte dishes alongside a collection of wines, champagnes, and cocktails. Guests may enjoy dinner at the bar or linger over artisanal cocktails crafted with French elegance and modern creativity. It is a setting for both spontaneous evenings and polished nights out, where every sip and every bite reflects the signature sophistication of Essential by Christophe.
The bar at Essential by Christophe blends the warmth of an Upper West Side cocktail bar with the elegance of a Michelin-starred French restaurant. Guests can enjoy à la carte French dining, champagne, and signature cocktails crafted with precision and creativity by Chef Christophe Bellanca’s team. Located near Lincoln Center and Central Park, the bar offers one of New York City’s most refined yet relaxed destinations for drinks and upscale dining on the Upper West Side.
Un
-
Gazpacho
zebra tomato & strawberries / whipped ricotta calabro / thai basil
$18
-
Dorade Royale
artichoke / gold ossetra caviar / bouillon tiède gourmand
$26
-
Razor Clams
eventail / chawanmushi inspired / fennel shoyu
$28
-
La Langouste
infiniment / crispy / lemon verbena
$28
-
Zebra Tomato
wild red king crab / nepetella / black cherry
$28
-
Toro Saku
mi cuit / tamarind / mandarinquats / sea condiment
$28
-
Blue Prawns
smoked pike roe / genmaicha tuile / dill & chive bouillon
$32
-
Scallop
lightly smoked / gold ossetra caviar / champagne hazelnut
$36
-
Langoustine
slightly cooked / stuffed zita / swarnadwipa / green curry
$36
Deux
-
Black Bass
braised / artichoke & manila clams / turmeric
$39
-
Wild Atlantic Turbot
zucchini flower / galangal / zanzibar-amontillado sabayon
$48
-
Kampachi
barely grilled / combawa / château-chalon
$39
-
Penne Millerighe
maine lobster / tarragon
$36
-
Poularde
roasted / morels / albufera sauce
$48
-
Iberico Pork
presa de bellota / sweet peas & chorizo / jalapeño condiment / omija berries jus
$48
-
Leo’s Favorite Burger
prime beef / vermont cheddar / essential secret sauce / french fries
$38
Sides
-
French Fries
house made ketchup
$6
-
Pomme Purée
our signature side
$6
Bread
-
Country Bread
salted butter
$8
-
Kalamata Olive Loaf
salted butter
$8
-
Half Country & Half Kalamata Olive
salted butter
$8
Desserts
-
Rhubarb
marmalade / sorbet herbacé / parfum de rose
$16
-
La Tarte au Chocolat
warm / roasted vanilla ice cream
$19
-
Le Vacherin
gariguette / orange blossom / lime basil sorbet
$19
-
La Framboise
crispy fine feuilles / linzer / madagascar vanilla
$19
-
Le Soufflé
grand marnier / cara cara marmalade / green cardamom ice cream
$19
-
Brebirousse D’Argental
caramelized walnuts / pineau des charentes
$19
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.
Our offerings may vary based on ingredient availability and chef inspiration. We appreciate your understanding.
Our cocktail program highlights French technique, seasonal ingredients, and a refined sense of balance. Signature serves sit alongside timeless classics, aperitifs, and digestifs, each crafted with precision to complement Chef Christophe Bellanca’s cuisine. Enjoy Champagne, thoughtful wine selections, and creative zero proof options at the bar or in the dining room. Whether you join us for a pre theater drink near Lincoln Center or linger over a nightcap on the Upper West Side, every pour reflects the calm sophistication of Essential by Christophe.
Essential by Christophe offers French inspired cocktails, aperitifs, digestifs, Champagne, and zero proof drinks on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Crafted to pair with modern French cuisine by Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Bellanca, the cocktail list features seasonal ingredients and precise technique. Located near Lincoln Center and Central Park, Essential by Christophe is a refined destination in NYC for cocktails, wine, and elegant bar dining.
Cocktails
-
Lychee Prélude
lychee & umeshu / yanagita shochu
$20
-
The Essential Martini
gin & vodka / cyril zangs eau de vie de cidre
$25
-
Verdant Pink
strawberry & rhubarb / helix vodka / fontbonne
$23
-
Spring Harvest Highball
lavender / brooklyn gin / centum herbis
$23
-
Bartender’s Choice
essence of coconut & pineapple / chairman’s white / el dorado 8 / rum fire
$25
-
Esperanza
passion fruit / tepozán reposado & bosscal mezcal / drambuie
$24
-
Old Yeller
toki whisky / yellow chartreuse / suze
$25
-
Mister Moonlight
afficionado espresso / new riff rye & cardamaro / cacao
$25
Spirit-Free Mixed Drinks
-
Golden Path
ginger / honey / turmeric
$16
-
Seventy-Seventh Street
peach / basil / orange / lime
$16
-
Christophe’s Favorite
rose / amalfi orange / pink peppercorn
$16
-
N.A.groni
the path nder ‘hemp & root’ / pentire ‘seaward’ / joy’s island sorrel
$16