Channeling a restaurant I visited two years ago.

I finally convinced my daughter to dine at Essential by Christophe. She recently had a business meeting there…she was hesitant since she found the name off-putting.

She raved.

Mother knows best!

Here is a  look back…if you have ever wondered what it might feel like to be wined, dined and gently hugged by a bergamot-infused cloud, I suggest you book a table at Essential by Christophe, the Michelin-starred, très chic, Upper West Side restaurant.

Tucked into a classic UWS townhouse, Essential is the lovechild of Chef Christophe Bellanca, who clearly understands the difference between fancy and fussy.

The dining room is all warm leather and soft lighting. The bar is intimate with its own appealing menu.

We shared an amazing Penne Millerighe from the bar menu comprised of delicate penne pasta, chunks of sweet, tender lobster meat in an incredible tarragon sauce ($29).

Let’s talk food. This isn’t your uncle’s duck à l’orange. Chef Christophe dances through French cuisine with a subtle nod to Asia.

Dessert? An orange soufflé so light and fragrant it might actually float off your plate.

Service is top-notch, the kind where the staff know everything about the food, but do not act as if they invented gastronomy.

Bottom line…Essential isn’t just another French restaurant trying to remind you it has a Michelin star.

It has heart, humor and an orange soufflé that deserves its own Instagram account.

Go hungry. Leave impressed. And maybe wear the Essential stretchy pants.

Essential by Christophe 103 West 77th Street New York City. Open Tuesday-Thursday 5:30-9:30pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5-9:30pm. Reservations on Resy.