Joonbug link: Beauty & Essex.
Behold the elite world of glitz, glamour and luxury in Manhattan’s opulent…pawn shop? Beauty & Essex is literally a hidden gem on the Lower East Side. The gigantic restaurant, lounge and bar completely disguises itself—all 10,000 feet of it—keenly using the exterior pawn shop entrance as a mask. Its true identity is a tempting mystery to all outsiders. The slyness in this top-notch secret makes the Beauty & Essex experience all the more thrilling. Although, the sophisticated bouncer guarding the door into this classified venue may seem a little bizarre to passionate pawn shop lovers.
Trendy at its finest, everyone wants to know, and be gossiped about with Beauty & Essex. Her inner beauty shines through both cuisine and décor. The extremely long and luxuriously glittery chandelier hanging above the grand staircase screams class and elegance. Even the bathroom is exclusive—from the free flutes of bubbly champagne to the vintage perfume bottles decorating the glass shelves. The Pearl Lounge on the second floor showcases one A-lister: a huge chandelier that overtakes the whole ceiling in delicate strands of pearls. It is quite the pearl invasion.
A hint of heaven in your mouth, the Jewels on Toast selection is, simply put, to die for. The Whipped Ricotta & Sweet Eggplant on the Jewel list is a noble, recommended gem. The Grilled Cheese, Smoked Bacon & Tomato Soup Dumplings give your average dumplings a deliciously spunky flair. And as for the Watermelon & Avocado Salad served with feta cheese, little gem lettuce, red onion, mint, and charred lime vinaigrette. One bite will make your entire body feel freshly rejuvenated. From the Mushroom & Ricotta Ravioli with pea shoots, fennel broth, and grana cheese to the Pan Roasted Scallops served with smoked tomato and sweet corn risotto. Your choice will be a difficult one as the selections are surely pleasing. Why not get both? The beauty of small plates is that they are absolutely perfect to share with a group of friends—you get to taste all of your savory favorites, having the best of both worlds!
And of course, what would this night be without a cocktail to complement? The list is innovative and fun from Dark Chocolate Velvet with Guinness and Prosecco and Beauty Elixir a gin cocktail made of Oxley gin, strawberry, cucumber, and sparkling Rosé) to Earl The Pearl mixed with Ketel One vodka, earl grey tea, lemon, and mint syrup, as well as the Jack & Blue a cocktail of anise-infused Jack white rye, honey, grapefruit, and blueberry preserve.
To all dessert connoisseurs, you will be in your glory browsing through these top-notch sugary picks. You have never seen a more creatively designed dessert menu until Beauty & Essex. A tidbit of deliciousness highlighted on the restaurant’s menu: Petite Cupcakes a serving of red velvet cupcakes, of course, with fluffy cream cheese frosting and Guinness cakes lavished in Bailey’s frosting, Pistachio Baklava adds a twist to the traditional Baklava with pistachio pearl and lemon cream, the Box of Doughnuts of vanilla beignets with raspberry jam and chocolate hazelnut crème, and the Mudslide Milkshake Shot served with three shots. The ice creams and sorbets are made in-house at Essex & Beauty, daily.
In addition to offering the finest dinner menu; Beauty & Essex hosts a Champagne Brunch every Sunday accompanied with beats by DJ Danny Estrella. Red Velvet Waffles with cream cheese icing and Lemon Blackberry Pancakes with sweet ricotta await!
For a more in depth look at their menu, click here.
Have an awesome night dining with the elite at Beauty & Essex!
Lexx in the City 