New York Cool Meets Las Vegas Glam At Chef Chris Santos' New Beauty & Essex In The Cosmopolitan
One of New York City's most trendy, popular, and deliciously inspired restaurants is coming to Las Vegas next month and will be located in the one and only Cosmopolitan. If you're not familiar with the Lower East Side's Beauty & Essex, let me help you. Beauty & Essex is a multi-level restaurant-bar-club-lounge known for opulence and things like free Champagne in the ladies' room, celebrity-spotting, a functioning pawn shop entrance, and a luxurious dining room lit by — what else — a chandelier.
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Chef personality and restaurateur, Chris Santos, of The Stanton Social and Chopped fame, will debut the new Beauty & Essex in Las Vegas on May 16th, with brunch service soon to follow sometime late summer. Chef Santos will be bringing his innovative concept of small, sharable, tapas-like plates to this west coast outpost and, along with the always trend-setting restaurant and nightlife group TAO Group, launch what is soon-to-be the next hottest spot on the strip.
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Since this is Vegas we're talking about, this 10,000 square-foot space is all about luxury and highlighting the beauty of jewels. Yes, jewels. With over 230 seats for dining, and 90 more seats in the bar and lounge, Beauty & Essex showcases jewels in all forms — from pearls and gemstones, to antique and heirloom pieces. It's quite the opposite of the initial pawn shop-inspired front; but once you journey further in to the space you arrive at the gorgeous Pearl Lounge.
This lounge is — not surprisingly — lit by what is described as "a custom chandelier comprised of thousands of draped pearls which radiate from the ceiling and down the walls to plush, tufted purple banquettes." Obviously the rich experience doesn't stop here. Guests looking to dance and hit up more of a club scene are invited into the Mirror Bar where a DJ will be spinning jams from a gold DJ booth. The ornate dining rooms are stunning as well and with metallic and jewel-toned hues, where else would you rather dine?
Of course it goes without saying: The food is bomb. Signature dishes from chef Santos' New York location will be seen in variations, along with exclusive, Vegas-only offerings. Plates to share include Beauty & Essex favorites like tuna poke wonton tacos and Thai-style crispy shrimp will be joining the new menu additions including roasted bone marrow and oven-braised chicken meatballs.
Furthermore, hits such as the uniquely tasty French onion soup dumplings from chef Santos' very first restaurant, The Stanton Social, will make menu appearances. Those looking for larger meals be pleased with Beauty & Essex's unique selection of pasta, prime dry-aged meats, an award-winning burger, and decadent desserts. For a wilder night out (for those over 21), the libations are endless, with cocktails such as the Emerald Gimlet and Beauty Elixir, wines, and beers.