NYC Restaurants

Chef Christophe Bellanca’s first solo restaurant Essential by Christophe is now open on the Upper West Side. A departure from his years of helming the kitchens at fine dining establishments L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Le Cirque, Bellanca embraces à la carte-only service of elegant but unfussy dishes rooted in his French background, from spiced duck and beet tartare to braised wild black bass, orange souffle and a separate bar menu of deviled eggs, lobster pasta, duck polpette and more.

Designed in collaboration with prominent Parisian residential designer Caroline Egasse, the UWS space is meant to be an elegant but warm destination for the neighborhood. Nods to Christophe's love for rock and roll, namely Bruce Springsteen, are featured throughout, such as a striking Élitis blue vinyl and silk mural that lends a splash of color and edge, complementing the exposed blonde wooden beams, cream-colored leather and brass touches of the dining room. >>