Took my mom on a trip to NYC last Christmas and this place came highly recommended. While initially we were a tad intimidated (the exterior is a bit cagey and the crowd was posh), we LOVED IT. We split the grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings (HOLY!), the lobster tacos, empanadas, the rib eye, and the Elvis sunday (being from Memphis and all). It was so much food, but we wanted to try so much! We really lived it up and really enjoyed this evening...right down to having a glass of champagne in the ladies room!

We had heard of B&E and gave it a shot on a Friday night. Thankfully we had the forethought to make a reservation.
The restaurant is tucked behind a door in a Storefront selling costume jewelry and odd lots.
Slip through the door and you're transferred to a time before. Low lighting. Grand staircase. Small bar and tables lining the walls.
Food was eclecticism . Bar and wine menu diverse.
Pricey but it's NY and your paying for ambience as well as food /beverage

Recommend!! Parking is a bit of a trick so plan that out in advance.

Beauty & Essex is such a fun place to go for tapas! The restaurant is decorated like an antique pawn shop at the entrance, with classic guitars on the wall and showcases of jewelry.

As soon as you go through the door, the restaurant changes to extravagant decor with dim lighting. The chandelier at the entrance is massive and very pretty! They also have a huge window in the ceiling that is beautiful during the day and at night. The tables are huge and decorated with large vases filled with plants and peacock feathers. It is a very unique restaurant with a trendy ambiance.

Dishes I loved:
-Crab Rangoon Jewels on Toast: Simply divine. A must have!
-Apricot & Ricotta Jewels on Toast
-Grilled Cheese Dumplings in tomato soup spoons: really cool presentation, pretty good taste
-Short Rib over Mushroom Risotto - My favorite entree
-Salmon Entree
-Salmon Ceviche appetizer
-Lobster Tacos for brunch
-Butterscotch Mousse with Cookie Spoons dessert

Underwhelming dishes that I would not order again:
-Crab Cake BLT
-Scrambled Eggs Jewels on Toast
-Lobster & Chorizo Hash: Lacked flavor

None of the "underwhelming" dishes tasted bad at all, they just were not as memorable or impressive as the others!

Service was consistently good during both visits. Even though Beauty & Essex always seems to be busy, they do a great job at taking care of their tables and making recommendations! This restaurant is a great place to take a date or celebrate a special occasion! It's also a fun place to go for brunch & cocktails with a large group!

This place was so good that we went back a second time. Both with a group of people. The service is great. From the moment we arrived we were well catered for. Cocktails in the meeting area where quick. Menu and wine list had something for everybody. The fit out and lighting on this two level establishment is really cool. Great place, great food, couldn't fault it.

We recently celebrated an NYU graduation here. It was a repeat visit (after having a great experience our previous visit). What an awesome place - the food is innovative and really good; the staff is friendly; and the setting is exciting. Great vibe. We have eaten both upstairs (a little more intimate) and downstairs (high energy space). Good drinks in the bar, too. Given the elegance and the quality of the food and service, it really is not as expensive as one might fear.