4 Reasons to Visit Birmingham’s The Essential This Fall
With a warm new interior and quirky neon pigeon to welcome you in, The Essential is a can't-miss eatery in Birmingham that recently celebrated its eighth birthday. Stop by this fall for pastas, the iconic cheeseburger, and more. Image: Mary Fehr
For eight years, Birmingham has enjoyed intimate dinners, boozy brunches, and a warm, neighborhood atmosphere from The Essential, led by Chef Victor King. Chef Victor finds inspiration from classic Southern comfort foods as he weaves French techniques into The Essential’s all-day menu.
If it’s been a while since your last visit, fall is the perfect time to head back. From what’s on the menu to what’s happening beyond the dining room, we’ve rounded up four reasons to put The Essential on your list this season.
1. It’s an eatery built around people.
Locals have visited The Essential for many years, first on Morris Avenue and now on 1st Avenue North in downtown Birmingham. From cobblestone streets to the iconic stretch of downtown where it now sits, The Essential’s focus has remained the same: to offer a welcoming space where guests can linger at a table filled with friends.
That sense of community is personal for Chef Victor, who even held his own wedding ceremony at The Essential. For one of the most important days of his life, he says it simply made sense to gather in a place that already meant so much to him.
2. There’s an all-day menu that fits nearly any occasion.
Chef Victor regularly shops the stalls at Pepper Place for inspiration and components for his small plates, pastas, and main dishes. His preference for local ingredients shows in The Essential’s all-day menu, with curated options for brunch, lunch, cocktails, dinner, and dessert.
Many Birminghamians might think of The Essential for a boozy brunch with friends or family, but we recommend it for a cozy date night or trip with out-of-town guests for family-style pasta and entrées, too. Chef Victor keeps the menu rotating throughout the year, so you never know when you’ll have the chance to try a brand-new bite.
3. It has one of the best cheeseburgers in the state.
We’d be remiss not to mention the cheeseburger, which should not be skipped: Two smashed dry-aged Bear Creek beef patties are topped with melted, sharp American cheddar cheese, Russian dressing, dijonaise, “shrettuce,” and pickles, all on a house-made bun and served with fries.
Trust us, it is a delicious experience that you won’t want to share (but it’s so big, you might need to!).
4. The new look is warm, welcoming, and full of personality.
Finally, you should visit The Essential to experience its refreshed interior design. You can even snap a photo beneath the neon sign featuring its new pigeon mascot — we love the welcoming, quirky touch! We also love the retro Americana feel of the large front bar area and the eclectic art of the main dining space.
Designed by local interior designer Kat Bailey and team, The Essential’s renovation and redesign set the tone for its next eight years as a Birmingham go-to for delicious food and memorable meals. In fact, we’d like to thank The Essential for hosting us for a recent lunch — what a beautiful, delicious meal!
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Erin Slay Wilson
Erin Slay Wilson is the Market Leader for StyleBlueprint Birmingham. She lives in the Crestwood neighborhood with her family and their golden retriever, Butter. When Erin isn't writing and building relationships within the community, she loves to read, go on walks around the city, garden, and scope out treasures at local antique malls.