The Essential

The Essential An American Bistro
Lunch - Dinner - Weekend Brunch
Craft Cocktails - Natural Wine - Good Food
(517)

American bistro open all day with fresh pasta, craft cocktails, natural wines, a really good chicken, and weekend brunch.

Our tiramisu just made some new friends!🍫 Rocky Road Chocolate Mousse with toasted almonds and marshmallows that spent a...
06/04/2026

Our tiramisu just made some new friends!

🍫 Rocky Road Chocolate Mousse with toasted almonds and marshmallows that spent a little time on the fire

🍓 Pavlova with hibiscus-scented meringue, fresh strawberries, whipped cream and grapefruit granita

🍋 Lemon Chiffon Cake layered with ginger, fresh thyme and candied lemon

🍌 Caramelized Banana Pudding Ice Cream

Paul & Tina’s • Durning one of our first meetings with about renovations at he said “tell me your craziest idea.” That...
06/03/2026

Paul & Tina’s • Durning one of our first meetings with about renovations at he said “tell me your craziest idea.” That idea, knocking down a wall and expanding into a previous bakery, became the new and improved bar- affectionately named Paul and Tina’s after Victor’s cats. Punchy green barstools flank the walnut bar. We wrapped the bar in , which added pattern, texture, and more color. We’re glad Victor wasn’t afraid of our “craziest idea.” 😉

📸:

Tiny sunglasses. Cold spritz. Patio table & these Essential summertime menu updates:• Caprese Salad — liuzi fior di latt...
05/29/2026

Tiny sunglasses. Cold spritz. Patio table & these Essential summertime menu updates:

• Caprese Salad — liuzi fior di latte, heirloom tomatoes from , wild ramp vinaigrette, basil oil
• Hummus + Pickles — chickpeas, Santa Cruz olive oil, sourdough & housemade pickles
• Agnolotti Pomodoro — herbed ricotta & goat cheese, sungold tomato sauce, saffron butter
• Casarecce — morels, broccoli, Shelburne aged cheddar & herbed breadcrumbs (your mom’s broccoli casserole with a glow up)

See you outside! ☀️😎

For those of you staying in town this Memorial Day weekend, we have specials that are a little extra special just for yo...
05/22/2026

For those of you staying in town this Memorial Day weekend, we have specials that are a little extra special just for you. Friday-Sunday only!

Rich tonnarelli (square spaghetti) tangled up with comté, spring morels & pink peppercorns.

Crispy golden potato terrine topped with bright sorrel cream, pickled cauliflower & oscietra caviar.

Creme caramel that’s silky and swimming in caramel with floral notes of vin jaune.

Even if the rain cancels your plans, we’ve got a seat for you.

We’re bringing big backyard cookout energy this Memorial Day! 🍔🌭There’s no better match than our burger with an Alabama ...
05/21/2026

We’re bringing big backyard cookout energy this Memorial Day! 🍔🌭

There’s no better match than our burger with an Alabama Light for $15 and a housemade bratwurst loaded with sweet pepper relish, beer mustard, slaw, and tucked into a housemade bun ($15).

Your backyard wishes it looked like this.

Monday only!

Bubbles flowing, duck roasting, oysters chilling.Join Chef Victor King and Vom Boden for a wine dinner filled with whole...
05/14/2026

Bubbles flowing, duck roasting, oysters chilling.

Join Chef Victor King and Vom Boden for a wine dinner filled with whole duck au poivre, raw oysters, bratwurst, spring veggies & bubbles on the table all night long.

A little fancy. A little chaotic. Served family style. Exactly how we like it.

We love your mom like you love your mom… with a full glass in hand! Walk-ins welcome all weekend. Happy Mother’s Day!
05/08/2026

We love your mom like you love your mom… with a full glass in hand!

Walk-ins welcome all weekend. Happy Mother’s Day!

New pasta alert! 🚨🚨🚨Fennel + grapefruit like you’ve never seen it before. Fennel three ways with the twists & turns of o...
04/29/2026

New pasta alert! 🚨🚨🚨

Fennel + grapefruit like you’ve never seen it before.

Fennel three ways with the twists & turns of our new Mafaldine ‘Al Pompelmo’. Alongside sweet favas, wilted greens, and bursts of oro blanco grapefruit.

Clean, citrusy, and just sharp enough to keep every bite feeling fresh.

Cheeseburger-shaped dreams on repeat.Two smashed dry-aged patties melted together with sharp American, a flood of Russi...
04/25/2026

Cheeseburger-shaped dreams on repeat.

Two smashed dry-aged patties melted together with sharp American, a flood of Russian + dijonaise, piled high with shrettuce and pickles, all on a housemade bun next to a heap of fries. Dreamy indeed.

A moment for the man behind the magic (and the pass) - it’s Chef Victor King’s birthday. His joy and passion show up in ...
04/17/2026

A moment for the man behind the magic (and the pass) - it’s Chef Victor King’s birthday.

His joy and passion show up in every plate and every part of the restaurant! We’re lucky to be along for the ride.

Cheers to you, Chef. We love you.

Address

2215 First Avenue N
Birmingham, AL
35203

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 9pm
Tuesday 11am - 9pm
Wednesday 11am - 9pm
Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday 11am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 2pm
5pm - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 2pm
5pm - 9pm

Telephone

+12057187612

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Essential posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category