Beauty & Essex — Restaurant in New York

Very disappointed in our experience here. We had made a reservation for 9PM and arrived on time. We checked in with the hostess and can already see a huge amount of people waiting for their table. Surely enough, we couldn't even get a seat in the waiting area. We went over to the bar and ordered a very overpriced drink but the drink was good. We probably aren't seated until 10PM. The only pro during this check in process was the coat check.

Once we arrived at our table, the table was very small and close to the other tables. We could hear everyone's conversation around us. We asked our server a few questions that we had about the menu. It was very loud and we could barely hear his replies. We did ask about the restaurant week menu's tortilla soup dumplings. We decided to give that a try since he said they were known for that and explained the ingredients and how it's made. After we ordered, he asked us if we had any allergies. We both said no.

When the food started to arrive, we both tried the dumplings. Yes, absolutely delicious! They were placed on a soup spoon each. Once we took a bite, we were both kinda confused. This tastes like tomato soup? This also has bacon. Major alert. My boyfriend doesn't eat pork due to religious reasons. We were really upset at this point. We asked our server if there's bacon in our dish. He was rude and started off with "Remember when I asked you guys if you had food allergies or restrictions?" I said no. You asked if we have allergies and we don't. I never heard restrictions. He said "OK so you guys want a new one made?" We said yes without bacon if you can. Well, he took it personal and never stopped by our table again. Lack of service the rest of the night. We were talking amongst ourselves on how they were able to serve a dish with bacon without listing the ingredient out. Now after the fact - we realize that Beauty & Essex gave us the wrong dumplings. They gave us the grilled cheese, smoked bacon and tomato soup dumplings. Smoked Bacon is in the name of this dish - not what we ordered. We had to wait around for everything after we exchanged this out. From the time that we came in to the time that we left, dinner took 2.5 hours due to the overbooked tables wait and our server's attitude. We actually paid the bill, tipped, and as we were leaving he made eye contact as we walked past and he did not even thank us.

The pros on this were the food was pretty decent. I enjoyed the chicken parmesan that was on the restaurant week menu. It was fairly large and the leftovers the following day tasted great too. I also ordered the beef wellington and although it did not come out cut to see the beauty of it's work, it tasted spot on.

Due to our poor experience, we will not...

As one of the most popular and trendy restaurants in New York City, Beauty & Essex on Essex Street is a must-visit destination for foodies looking for an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment you step through the unassuming pawn shop entrance, you are transported into a luxurious, glamorous world of food, drink, and socializing.

The ambiance of Beauty & Essex is nothing short of stunning, with opulent chandeliers, plush velvet seating, and a stunningly beautiful bar area that sets the tone for the entire dining experience. The vibe is sophisticated and upscale, but still manages to feel warm and inviting, making it the perfect place for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends.

When it comes to the food, Beauty & Essex does not disappoint. The menu features a wide variety of options, with everything from classic American fare to more exotic dishes that are sure to impress even the most discerning palate. The standout dishes include the grilled octopus, which is tender and flavorful, and the short rib tacos, which are packed with bold, spicy flavors.

The restaurant's cocktails are also not to be missed, with a creative and impressive selection that is sure to please even the most discerning drinker. The bartenders are skilled and knowledgeable, and they are happy to help you find the perfect drink to complement your meal.

One of the standout features of Beauty & Essex is the service. From the moment you walk in the door, you are greeted by friendly and attentive staff who go above and beyond to ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of perfect. They are knowledgeable about the menu and the drinks, and they are happy to make recommendations based on your personal preferences.

Another unique aspect of Beauty & Essex is the layout of the restaurant itself. The dining room is split into several smaller rooms, each with its own distinct ambiance and decor. This creates a sense of intimacy and privacy, even in a bustling restaurant like this one.

Overall, Beauty & Essex is a fantastic restaurant that lives up to the hype. The food, drinks, and service are all top-notch, and the ambiance is unparalleled. Whether you are a local looking for a new favorite spot or a visitor to New York City looking for an unforgettable dining experience, Beauty & Essex should definitely be on your list of must-visit...

I am sad to say that while we have loved dining out at Beauty and Essex in the past, we cannot recommend them for a private event. My husband and I had our rehearsal dinner for our wedding in the Vault. We were very excited because the restaurant is gorgeous, and we have enjoyed our previous dinners.

We booked for 18 guests (pre-fixe) with a 2.5 hour reservation. Upon arrival there was a wait for our event room. Once seated, there was hardly any room for our group. While the room claims to hold up to 20 guests, we had to sit with arms pressed up against one another the entire night on hightop seats. Very little standing room. If anyone had to excuse themselves, the entire table had to get up with them. The space felt claustrophobic. 14 seats is the realistic maximum for eating comfortably in the room.

On top of the overcrowding, the AC in our room was blasting cold air onto us despite the rest of the restaurant feeling nice and warm. Considering it was winter, we asked if this could be lowered several times, but nothing happened. We ended up wearing jackets at the table.

The food was still delicious, but it took a very long time for courses and drinks to come out. 45 min for the first set of small plates, maybe close to 2 hours for the second set. By the time the majority of the large plates were coming out, people were tired and ready to go home. Drink orders took 20-30 minutes as well. Dinner took four hours start to finish despite being advertised as a 2.5 hour booking.

Since this was a rehearsal dinner, the lack of timeliness caused a lot of stress. The wedding required our families to have an early start the next morning. Since our dinner went an hour and a half over time, we weren’t able to check into accommodations for the wedding until close to 12am. We understand that service for large groups can be challenging, but if an accurate time estimate was provided up front, we would have been able to better schedule the dinner to meet our needs. Time expectations need to be managed for those booking private events going forward.

TL;DR: We felt the experience was disappointing in terms of physical space, service, and timeliness. We love the food and drink at Beauty and Essex though, and it is perfect for a night out if you are considering stopping in! Just not for a large or...