BEAUTY & ESSEX
LUSH & LAVISH

Summer 2017 saw the TAO Group reimagine and rebuilt the Cahuenga Corridor with a slew of hotspots, including TAO and Beauty & Essex, as well as the hipster hotel haven that is the Dream Hollywood.  Gone is sketchy Hollywood and in its place is a new swank and chic area that is nightlife central.

Beauty & Essex, with locations in Las Vegas and NYC’s Lower East Side, see Chef Chris Santos add his touch to what the TAO Group brought to the corner of Cahuenga and Selma. Enter through an alleyway pawn shop façade that gives way to a glitzy dining palace and the wow factor at Beauty & Essex just doesn’t seem to stop.

Chef Santos’ menu features sensational snackable small bites like grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings (an absolute must-have), tomato tartare, oven-braised meatballs, and tuna poke wonton tacos. The additional of Sunday Brunch gave way to optimal day drinking followed by time poolside at The Highlight Room on the roof of Dream Hollywood if you can secure a spot. It takes work to be able to hangout in such style.

Consider the East & West Coast Oysters with charred jalapeño sauce a great way to start any meal. The same can be said for the Caesar Toast with creamy garlic and crispy chicken skin.

The aforementioned Grilled Cheese Smoked Bacon & Tomato Soup Dumplings are out of this world good and are a must-have. Six come to an order and guests have fought over any leftovers. Chef really hit a grand slam with this dish.

Santos’ menu is a little schizophrenic as it doesn’t really have an identity as there are all types of food on the menu—mostly all done well, including the ‘Chile Relleno’ Empanadas along with the Chilaquiles with green chili pork, sunny side up egg, cotija, pickled onion, and red cabbage slaw.

For Mains, you can’t go wrong with the Scallop & Pork Belly “Surf & Turf” with corn pudding, pickled red onion, and micro salad, as well as the Wild Striped Seabass with crispy potatoes, pickled fennel, and sunflower seed romesco. They are both so fresh and so flavorful.

If you’re looking for a hearty side, look no further than the Applewood Smoked Bacon Mac & Cheese with Collier’s cheddar, cavatappi, Sicilian bread crumbs, and Collier’s 3-year aged cheddar.

Save room for dessert and make sure to get the Bourbon Almond Shake Shot with almond ice cream, vanilla whipped cream, warm double chocolate chunk cookies, along with the “Les, NYC” Doughnuts with dark chocolate fudge, berry and caramel sauces

And don’t forget about the Sunday Prix Fixe Brunch Menu, which features an impressive family style meal for $35 per person. Choose a Bacon Bloody or Mimosa to start, as well as Oreo Cookie Pancakes or Sticky Buns or Smoked Salmon Toast or Crispy Deviled Egg.

Time spent at Beauty & Essex is lush and lavish. Enjoying the sweet and swank setting and relax and indulge.

Beauty & Essex is located at 1615 Cahuenga Blvd.  Call 323-676-8880.

Story by Jose Martinez

Photography courtesy of: Beauty & Essex