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 newest summer additions are here! Fresh, housemade, and built around the best flavors of the season.Gemelli with sun...
07/11/2026

Our newest summer additions are here! Fresh, housemade, and built around the best flavors of the season.

Gemelli with sunflower seed pesto, romano beans, zucchini & ricotta salata.

Paccheri with shish*to cream, Gulf shrimp, octopus, charred corn, hatch chili & torpedo onions.

We spent all morning staring at these new lunch specials too. 😋Fried Chicken Sandwich with hatch chili plum sauce, garli...
07/01/2026

We spent all morning staring at these new lunch specials too. 😋

Fried Chicken Sandwich with hatch chili plum sauce, garlic mayo, cabbage & fries.

Pimento Cheese BLT with housemade bacon, pimento cheese, heirloom tomatoes, iceberg also with fries.

Whether you’re here for a first date, a birthday toast or just a really good plate of pasta - we’ve got a seat for that....
06/20/2026

Whether you’re here for a first date, a birthday toast or just a really good plate of pasta - we’ve got a seat for that.

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.

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

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