Beauty & Essex — Restaurant in Montville

Okay, so this place can get expensive fast. So, realistically, your expectations should be high.

My wife and I had a reservation to eat here, no issues with that. We spent about $450 for the two of us. Admittedly, we overdid it with food and drinks, so that's where some of the expense comes from. You can easily expect $150 per person or more.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the gossip girl squad. Five or so twenty-somethings, which made both of us feel awkward because they were all chatting and laughing UNTIL we opened the door to go in, then they went silent and stared at us for the entire short walk to the counter. In my eyes, this is just poor management, but maybe that's the vibe they're going for?

The bar area, which you have to go through to get to the restaurant, is like a night club. Loud music, louder voices, a light ball spinning from the ceiling, nobody available to serve you, a room so dark you cannot even see the menu. Yes, it really is that bad. This is just the bar/lounge area.

We were then seated in the main dining room. The music was turned down but the volume of that room was worse than the lounge! It is so packed in there, and the space is so open that you cannot hear the person on the other side of the table. Not a great experience. It is also SO DARK in the dining area that people are using their phone flashlights to see the menu. Anytime a flashlight turns on, it is blinding and distracting. All of which are fails in my book.

Our table was very small, which is fine, but the side I sat on appeared to be a couch from the 1980s, while my wife sat in a wooden chair across from me. The couple next to us at the same soze table ended up sitting next to each other on the couch because they could not hear each other from across the table, further crowding me into the corner of this couch. All of this was laughable.

Our waiter was excellent, very attentive and professional. The drinks were really, really good. The food was a 4 out of 5, BUT, it was the most tender beef I've ever eaten in the wellington.

We ordered the following food:

"Pearls of the Sea" 3 out of 5. Nothing really special with this, honestly. Just your average raw food tower.

Gochujang Salmon 4 out of 5.

Loaded Tots 3 out of 5. Literally get 4 in an order. They were over-fried and the caviar ended up being way too salty for a less-than balanced dish.

Beef wellington 4 out of 5. Most tender beef, ever. Great sauce. Puff pastry was sloppy and a bit soggy on top but overall good.

Lobster Mac and Cheese 3 out of 5. Nothing special about this. I consistently make better at home.

Broccolini 5 out of 5. Best broccolini I've ever had, though I don't eat it at restaurants very often.

Overall, it's an experience. Would I go back? Nope. Would I recommend it to a friend? Perhaps one that I didn't like. The experience doesn't justify the price of the food by any stretch. ...

An absolute NIGHTMARE! Horribly managed and even the bartenders are over the top rude and unprofessional.

Last weekend I came with a huge party for my sister’s birthday. We rented a huge suite and even had a club table…

We had this restaurant in between and it was a complete disaster! Because one person was presumably “overserved” they said none of us from a group of 12 could order any drinks.

And the managers (instead of coming and explaining in person which would’ve been completely respectable) kept giving us dirty, looks and telling the bartenders while staring at us.

Everyone got uncomfortable so eventually, I just asked to speak to the managers directly…

Too short men came up, who seemed understandable and friendly enough at the beginning… I asked if it was true at The bartender said and they confirmed and I said OK but we are a table of 12. Is there any way to just not serve the one individual… then the story changed that there was two individuals… we’re all a group of professionals and I personally manage a hotel myself, and not one person was acting in any such way to get this type of discrimination.

I then asked who the second person was and they started to act confused and said they would find out, but at that point I just left and got dinner myself at this amazing sushi restaurant just above the escalator . I had amazing drinks and amazing food and then I come back because my sister really wanted to stay at this restaurant because she had this in her heart since the beginning and the entire table of 12 didn’t even get served appetizers…. I asked to speak to a manager again and none came…

I went out again to the same sushi restaurant, and then I came back since we were all meant to leave together…. Everyone was complaining about how slow the service was and somehow drinks were still served… bill was $1,000 for THAT kind of service?!

And bartenders and servers are one thing I tried multiple times to talk to managers and honestly, they are even more professional.

I was gonna call the next day, but it wasn’t even worth the trouble … I’d like to see how long this place lasts but considering the type of service, I would imagine you would only have to be overserved to ever come back here…

Horrible and uninviting! Good...

My experience could have easily been a 10/10experience but there were a few inconveniences. Firstly, the hosts are very friendly. I appreciate being greeted with a beautiful smile! I was seated promptly at my reservation time which I appreciated as well. When I made the reservation 2 weeks prior, l requested a booth for seating. I understand that it may not always be possible to get what I prefer, however, when she walked me to the table, l asked the hostess about the booth I requested and she let me know they were only for bigger parties. I was understanding of the situation but quickly realized something wasn't accurate. Just a few tables away there were 2 vacant booths. 5 minutes after being told booths were only for parties larger than 2, two parties of 2 people were seated at the vacant booths.. that I requested two weeks prior. Again, I was understanding and kind about it, but it felt as if I was lied to for whatever reason which I'm still not happy about. I had two servers, and they were very professional and attentive. My table was cleared often which I appreciate, and they always asked "do you have anything you need?" Which I really appreciated. Also, my partner and I were escorted to the restroom, very attentive to detail there! :) The drinks were very well made. Our appetizers came out within 5 minutes of ordering and although they were pretty good, they were cold. I did not tell the server because I didn't want to be a bother to her. But I can tell the appetizers were premade and probably sitting in the kitchen until an order was placed which I don't think I expect from a fine dining establishment and makes me feel as if the restaurant is just not worth it. We also ordered lamb chops which I found to also taste underwhelming. So l'm pretty disappointed at the entire meal itself. Overall I would rate beauty and Essex at 5/10, only because my servers were outstanding. I truly expected more from a Tao...