Beauty & Essex

Usually, I really love the food here. This is one of my go to spots, so I will definitely be back this time around the food was just subpar . Highlights - tuna wonton tacos- Salmon-Doughnuts and shortbread shotsPass-the Shishito peppers tasted like they were missing something needed more salt more acid just overall not a great bite. -the dumplings tasted as if the ingredients did not go together, the bite was not uniform

Avoid this place! ... To preface, note that price is of no issue to me when it comes to great food and a fine dining experience, frequenting Michelin star/guided restaurants around the world as a dedicated foodie. I came to New York for a 5-day visit in SoHo and came across Beauty & Essex while venturing out by subway with my boyfriend, so made reservations for dinner. Let's say we were extremely disappointed. The ambiance is the only positive aspect about this place. The drinks had minimal to possibly zero alcohol in them, and overcompensate with flashy garnishes. For appetizers, we ordered the French dip sliders, which came out with cold meat and hardened cheeses and stale bread...the waitress claimed they were supposed to be that way. Unlikely the case since I sent them back and the second set were hot with melty cheese. The oysters we ordered didn't taste fresh and two out of the half dozen were the size of my thumbnail. Now for the most upsetting part... We ordered the porter house steak for two (cooked medium) with lobster Mac n cheese as a side. The steak's presentation was immaculate, sliced along a wooden cutting board with sauces and garnish. I started to think our experience was about to turn around but, sadly, after we both tried a slice of the steak, the meat was cold as well. Not lukewarm, but cold!! They must have kitchen line issues with cooks who obviously haven't mastered the timing of table orders, because a pricey piece of meat like that shouldn't be disrespected in such a way. When I sent it back, they simply recooked the same slices of meat, and sent it back out to us, making the ends overly cooked and tough like jerky.For a $300 bill, this was a massive disappointment.

Beauty & Essex is always a great adventure!The food is beautifully plated and rich in flavor and aroma. The ambience is surprise and delight with open areas for dining and an upstairs lounge for chilling before or after your meal.The service is great as well.... This spot is Certainly not what you'd expect when entering the shop at Beauty & Essex! But once you get past the door keepers of the restaurant..... be prepared to be wow's!!

I read that this restaurant is considered one of the most beautiful restaurants in NYC, so we decided to give it a try for NY restaurant week 2025. We easily made reservations online for a Sat night at 6:45p.m. We walked through the store front pawn shop and a gentleman opened the door to Beauty and Essex, with its high ceilings, chandeliers and spiral staircase. We checked in with reception and were instructed to wait in the bar and someone would seat us. The bar and waiting area was quite crowded while a staff person asked us 3 separate times how many were in our party before we were finally seated. The restaurant was filled to the brim and bustling. Tables are quite close together. The restaurant is dimly lit. We were informed that the restaurant week menu was not available on Saturdays, (if the website indicated this we missed it), but we could do the tasting menu for $62. We instead ordered from the regular menu, each choosing an appetizer and a main dish. We ordered the little French dips and shrimp cocktail for appetizers and the Beef Wellington and brown butter scallops as entrees. As neither came with a side, we ordered the roasted Kyoto carrots. The food was very good, although the scallops were a just tad undercooked. Really also needs at least another scallop or small side salad or slaw. The onion sauce with it was fantastic. My dining partner did not at all care for the carrots, but was very impressed with the Wellington. Our server was attentive and pretty consistent throughout the night and other staff removed plates and filled water glasses.The restaurant is quite loud just given the amount of activity going on, but at 8pm the music was so loud both tables next to us and we felt the vibrations and commented we felt like we were in a club. It was really difficult to have a conversation or even relax as this was not soothing, easy listening dining music. Very off-putting. The restaurant is very nice and there are lots of instagrammable photo ops to be had. Great for celebrations or a date night. However, it's very busy and crowded, it's expensive, and and that music was just too loud. While the food was very good, there is nothing that we ordered or saw on the menu that would compel us to return. Overall 3.75 stars.

Went on a weekday for dinner with a large group. The restaurant has a speakeasy vibe (it's hidden within a pawnshop). Upon entering, there's a bar area, and the main dining room is further back. The ambiance is great, though it was a bit too dark -- you can barely see the menu. For larger groups, there are a couple of big dining tables in the center, and for smaller groups, there are booth seats on both sides. It did get quite loud as more people arrived.The restaurant serves mostly creative American dishes. We tried a variety of shareable plates. The apple & kale salad was refreshing. We were told you could purchase a book with the recipe at the front. The soup dumplings were bite-sized but packed with flavor. The meatballs were delicious, especially with the sauce that accompanied them -- earthy but not too heavy. The steak was also cooked well. The salmon was paired with sticky purple rice and kimchi, creating a unique sweet/spicy combination.Another highlight of the meal was the peanut butter cake. It's a three-layer cake, so it's quite large, which explains the price. The cake was moist, with a strong peanut butter flavor, but not overly sweet. In comparison, the donuts felt rather plain.I have mixed feelings about the service. Our waitress was friendly and gave us good recommendations, but we were only poured one glass of water. We didn't receive any refills the entire night, and they only came over to ask about alcohol refills. While this may seem minor, I think refilling water is a basic service that a good restaurant should provide, so I was surprised they didn't do that at all. Overall it was a cool dining experience!

Last night was a vibe! Celebrating with one of my girls as she turned a new year. Hanging with some dope women while enjoying a good meal. It was a good vibe. We laughed and laughed some more. The food was sooo good. We ended up going with the chef menu. The only thing that I missed out on because it wasn't on that menu and I didn't want to pay extra was the Korean style tacos. S/o to them for having virgin cocktails and non-alcoholic wines. In 2025, they get it. There are so many people who don't drink but want a beverage. The peach Bellini was amazing. Tasted just like one without the alcohol. The truffle Mac was different but good. I was starving going in and had to stop eating because I got so full. Side note: my girls got a salad. It was a lot of salad. They couldn't even eat their Mac because they were so full. While I'm not an oyster girl, they had them and said they tasted delicious. Dessert was so tasty! I should've ordered some to go. My only tiff with them was that our reservation was for 8pm. Our table wasn't ready until about 9. Other than that, I will be back. I might even buy something from the shop. They had some cute clutches oh and the ball is signed by Jim Brown!

I had been here before a couple of years ago but didn't quite remember my experience - I returned yesterday with my girl friends and it was awesome! The food is SO good! We got a couple of dishes to share and they made sure to put 6 of each items (appetizers) so all of us could have one! I asked the waiter if they did it because we were six or if originally comes with six and they did did it because of us, that is very thoughtful! The drinks were also very good and cute. For dessert, we got the Ferris Wheel, also amazing! Edgar, our waiter, was amazing. All team members were great. 5/5!

One of my favorite please when in NY. Gives a hip elegant vibes. Perfect for date night or girls night. Love how the front of the store is a pawn shop and enters into the main dining area. Food was amazing. The salmon was well seasoned. Service was very good and waiter was helpful

This place is such a vibe! It has a speakeasy vibe. The service is excellent. Our bartender was friendly and the drinks were on point. My entree was the squid ink linguine with lobster. It was so delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant.

Was in town for a friends wedding and decided to come here on a Sunday morning to check out the brunch menu. Nice little hidden gem! Loved the interior design - it's speakeasy meets upscale club. Service was great and the food was tasty.I tried:- coconut chia seed parfait: very nice way to start my meal. Liked the toasted coconut and bits of mango.- New Orleans style breakfast potatoes: these were delicious. What's not to love about cheesy potatoes and a good dose of cajon style seasoning?- shakshuka baked eggs: I wanted to love this, but the tomato sauce was a bit too salty and my eggs were overcooked. I did enjoy the slice of bread that came with it though.If I'm ever in the area again I'd happily swing by to check out at the dinner menu and grab a cocktail or two.