Beauty & Essex on Postcard

"You can never judge a player based on their physical makeup, and the same can be said about when you arrive to Beauty and Essex after the game. After you enter through a thrift shop, every item on the menu is shareable for a true team effort. Start with the Korean-style fish tacos and the Thai-style deep-fried shrimp to get the meal off to a great first quarter! Then comes the game-winner: the grilled cheese soup dumplings. I’m telling you not one, not two, maybe three orders of these are necessary. Finally, make sure you save some room for the doughnut Ferris wheel to win this meal!" - andrew steinthal

Jalen Brunson's Favorite Post-Game Restaurants

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@eater

"We got a whole bunch of these places: Beauty and Essex opened in 2010." - Bettina Makalintal

What Is Fun? America’s Restaurants Have the Answer - Eater

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@afar

"Why are so many people hanging out at this pawn shop?" you might think to yourself while walking along Essex Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side. But it's not the goods in this (working!) pawn shop that the hangers-about are interested in; it's what's behind the pawn shop's storefront: Beauty & Essex, a not-so-secret bar with a cavernous space for drinking and over-the-top brunching. In addition to the list of cocktails, wines, and beers, there's the menu of food to help hold it all down. It includes such fever dream-esque items as tuna poke wonton tacos and shrimp cocktail with a jalapeño remoulade."

The Best Bars in New York City

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Ariella Shlayan

Google

I wish I could give Beauty & Essex more stars and I hate giving out bad reviews. I was expecting for this place to wow me and instead it not only underwhelmed me but also left me dissatisfied. Let me start off with the appetizers. The crispy rice on my spicy salmon tartare was stale and the quality overall was lacking. On top of that, the bone marrow came in cold. However, the main courses were good but did not match the price point. Now, onto the service. The waitress was not attentive at all and completely rushed us. Our appetizers and main courses were brought in at the same time which honestly is unacceptable for an upscale restaurant like Beauty & Essex. I made them send the main courses back. Lastly, while the ambience is pretty, it felt way too crowded and we had to wait 20 minutes for our table. For the amount of money that you’re paying for this place, both the food and the service should be much better than this.

teisis sanchez

Google

My daughter took me here as part of my 40th birthday celebration, I am a professional in the industry and not everything impresses me. We are also big foodies and love good ambiance, food, and service. This place did not disappoint at any time of the night! speakeasy with lots of vintage decorations, the doors open to a cozy yet elegant environment. Lots of details that set the mood for a great night! The staff was attentive and the food was well-executed. Will definitely come back and spread the word!

Rouse RD

Google

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Beauty & Essex, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience! Don’t let the pawn shop at the entrance fool you; once you step through the hidden door, you are transported into a vibrant and exotic atmosphere that sets the stage for a culinary adventure. The food was absolutely delicious, with a diverse menu that caters to a variety of tastes. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The cocktails were equally impressive, expertly crafted and perfect for complementing the meal. The staff at Beauty & Essex truly made the experience exceptional. Our hostess was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and despite the restaurant being packed, we experienced minimal waiting time for our reserved table. Overall, I highly recommend making a reservation at Beauty & Essex when visiting NYC. It’s a delightful blend of fun, fantastic food, and a lively atmosphere that you won’t want to miss. I can’t wait to return on my next trip.

Aidnef O

Google

I always wanted to come here. Loved the idea of a guitar/ jewelry store that opens a door to a restaurant! Super cute!! Visited during restaurant week. The kale and apple salad was really good and I mean really good. I'm a picky eater and usually don't like kale, but compared to the other options, that was the only thing I would get, and at least I'd get my veggies in. It was the best appetizer, and everyone at the table agreed. The salmon was a little on the salty side but tolerable. The chicken dish was really good. And Everyone loved their dessert! I would definitely recommend and will be coming back here!!

Adam B

Google

Like many, waited about an hour after reservation before our table was available. Once seated, 15 or so minutes before anyone came by. Grilled cheese dumplings, carrots, and fish tacos were great. One of the worst burgers I've ever had, and the bun itself was repulsive. Server seemed surprised we were ready to put our entire order in when they came by. Only photo i took was the burger after dissection. Chicken was also good, as was the shrimp. My first time here, but the others have been multiple times. As a collective, the consensus is a decline in quality. Hosting staff and bartenders were great, server was fine after the initial intro. Not confident to recommend.

Tony Kebbe

Google

The food was good, but the overall experience was not. Our reservation was for 8:45, but we got there early and were given a table right away (the table was not in the main dining area). While at that first table, we ordered drinks, then were advised by the waitress to order the appetizers and mains all together, and explained that our order would be phased in 2 courses. While waiting for the food, the table next to us got up and alerted us of a big roach going under our table. The manager moved us into the main dining area immediately. Shortly after moving to the new table, the appetizers and food came all at once. It felt from the start like we were being rushed. After another complaint, the manager comped our appetizers due to the restaurant's error. We also overheard the table behind us complaining about another issue, and they were comped with a couple of shots. The drinks we ordered were a hit or miss; the same drink came in too sweet or two strong. Don't think we will be coming back. It seems that the overall quality and service of the place has greatly declined.

Isaac Luo

Google

very beautiful location. super friendly waiter, delicious food, but the portion sizes were somewhat small and the dining room was slightly too cold.

Cate Janusz

Google

One of my favorites places in the city! The spicy salmon tartare and french dips are the best, the tun wonton tacos, steak tartare quesadilla and kale salad are also fantastic. The strawberry shortcake shots is one of my favorite desserts and the donuts are fantastic! Nothing bad to say about this place, especially the vibes!

Ariella Shlayan

Google

I wish I could give Beauty & Essex more stars and I hate giving out bad reviews. I was expecting for this place to wow me and instead it not only underwhelmed me but also left me dissatisfied. Let me start off with the appetizers. The crispy rice on my spicy salmon tartare was stale and the quality overall was lacking. On top of that, the bone marrow came in cold. However, the main courses were good but did not match the price point. Now, onto the service. The waitress was not attentive at all and completely rushed us. Our appetizers and main courses were brought in at the same time which honestly is unacceptable for an upscale restaurant like Beauty & Essex. I made them send the main courses back. Lastly, while the ambience is pretty, it felt way too crowded and we had to wait 20 minutes for our table. For the amount of money that you’re paying for this place, both the food and the service should be much better than this.

teisis sanchez

Google

My daughter took me here as part of my 40th birthday celebration, I am a professional in the industry and not everything impresses me. We are also big foodies and love good ambiance, food, and service. This place did not disappoint at any time of the night! speakeasy with lots of vintage decorations, the doors open to a cozy yet elegant environment. Lots of details that set the mood for a great night! The staff was attentive and the food was well-executed. Will definitely come back and spread the word!

Rouse RD

Google

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Beauty & Essex, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience! Don’t let the pawn shop at the entrance fool you; once you step through the hidden door, you are transported into a vibrant and exotic atmosphere that sets the stage for a culinary adventure. The food was absolutely delicious, with a diverse menu that caters to a variety of tastes. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The cocktails were equally impressive, expertly crafted and perfect for complementing the meal. The staff at Beauty & Essex truly made the experience exceptional. Our hostess was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and despite the restaurant being packed, we experienced minimal waiting time for our reserved table. Overall, I highly recommend making a reservation at Beauty & Essex when visiting NYC. It’s a delightful blend of fun, fantastic food, and a lively atmosphere that you won’t want to miss. I can’t wait to return on my next trip.

Aidnef O

Google

I always wanted to come here. Loved the idea of a guitar/ jewelry store that opens a door to a restaurant! Super cute!! Visited during restaurant week. The kale and apple salad was really good and I mean really good. I'm a picky eater and usually don't like kale, but compared to the other options, that was the only thing I would get, and at least I'd get my veggies in. It was the best appetizer, and everyone at the table agreed. The salmon was a little on the salty side but tolerable. The chicken dish was really good. And Everyone loved their dessert! I would definitely recommend and will be coming back here!!

Adam B

Google

Like many, waited about an hour after reservation before our table was available. Once seated, 15 or so minutes before anyone came by. Grilled cheese dumplings, carrots, and fish tacos were great. One of the worst burgers I've ever had, and the bun itself was repulsive. Server seemed surprised we were ready to put our entire order in when they came by. Only photo i took was the burger after dissection. Chicken was also good, as was the shrimp. My first time here, but the others have been multiple times. As a collective, the consensus is a decline in quality. Hosting staff and bartenders were great, server was fine after the initial intro. Not confident to recommend.

Tony Kebbe

Google

The food was good, but the overall experience was not. Our reservation was for 8:45, but we got there early and were given a table right away (the table was not in the main dining area). While at that first table, we ordered drinks, then were advised by the waitress to order the appetizers and mains all together, and explained that our order would be phased in 2 courses. While waiting for the food, the table next to us got up and alerted us of a big roach going under our table. The manager moved us into the main dining area immediately. Shortly after moving to the new table, the appetizers and food came all at once. It felt from the start like we were being rushed. After another complaint, the manager comped our appetizers due to the restaurant's error. We also overheard the table behind us complaining about another issue, and they were comped with a couple of shots. The drinks we ordered were a hit or miss; the same drink came in too sweet or two strong. Don't think we will be coming back. It seems that the overall quality and service of the place has greatly declined.

Isaac Luo

Google

very beautiful location. super friendly waiter, delicious food, but the portion sizes were somewhat small and the dining room was slightly too cold.

Cate Janusz

Google

One of my favorites places in the city! The spicy salmon tartare and french dips are the best, the tun wonton tacos, steak tartare quesadilla and kale salad are also fantastic. The strawberry shortcake shots is one of my favorite desserts and the donuts are fantastic! Nothing bad to say about this place, especially the vibes!

Beauty & Essex

Beauty & Essex

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