Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Beauty and Essex is for sure an interesting place. You would think, looking from outside, that it is a pawn shop, but the door in the back opens up to an incredible space were multi ethnic food crafted by Chef Chris Santos. Yes, the dining room is spacious and elegant.
Pawn shop at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Pawn shop at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Door to the restaurant at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Dining room at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Pawn shop at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Cash register at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Bar at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Dining room at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
They also have multiple private dining rooms like the one I saw in the back of the first floor.
Private dining room at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Food wise, the brunch menu had so many dishes that looked fantastic, showcasing the inspiration of the Chef, that choosing was difficult.The menu is organized in such a way that it is a progression, especially if you share (most of the dishes come in quantity of three and, if you share, they can make it four), keeping the theme of the pawn shop: first are the "sweet thing and starters", then "jewels on toast", "featured items", "accessories " and desserts.
So we opted for an appetizer: their vanilla beignets with raspberry jam. These small beignets were fantastic: not doughy, they were cooked all the way through, delicately smothered with powdered sugar and filled with a delicious raspberry jam that was not too sweet.
Vanilla beignets with raspberry jam at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Then, Jodi ordered their scrambled eggs toast that was served with zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes. It is supposed to have burrata in it, but I admit that it was unnoticeable...
Scrambled eggs toast at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
It was good, but not as good as my lobster tacos that were definitely worth it. The beer batter Maine lobster was very good: the lobster itself was perfectly cooked and the fried batter crispy. I thought it was a perfect take on fish tacos. I should mention that it was served with a red cabbage slaw and a poblano crema.
Lobster tacos at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
Lobster tacos at Beauty and Essex in The Lower East Side
That was a great brunch! The food was delicious, well presented on the plate and the place fun. Service wise, it was also on point, making the whole experience enjoyable. Would I go back to Beauty & Essex? Certainly and this time, I would try their burger, chicken biscuit bites or huevos rancheros with short ribs. Well, I told you choosing a dish was difficult there...
Enjoy (I did)!
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