What if I told you one of the most stunning restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip is hiding behind a functioning pawn shop? Welcome to Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan. It’s a dining experience that feels like stumbling onto a speakeasy built for people who take food seriously.
The Secret Entrance
You walk through an unassuming pawn shop facade. Quirky vintage items line the shelves, all actually for sale. Then the room opens up, and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely. Dimly lit glamour. Dining rooms that feel like jewel boxes. Intimate. Moody. Perfect for date night. This NYC import from Chef Chris Santos and TAO Group brings Lower East Side grit to the Vegas Strip, and it works.
The Food: Shareable Plates Done Right
Beauty & Essex is built around sharing, and every dish arrives looking like it belongs in a frame. Here’s what stood out during my visit:
- Spaghettini with Sunny-Side-Up Egg ($26) — Delicate pasta crowned with a perfectly runny yolk
- Brown Butter Scallops ($39) — Seared beautifully, resting on butternut purée
- Gochujang Salmon ($39) — Bold, spicy, paired with black garlic risotto that earns its place on the plate
- Crispy Tofu ($18) — Glass noodle salad that even devoted carnivores won’t push aside
- Crispy Vidalia Onion Rings ($15) — Don’t skip these. That miso honey mustard alone is worth the order
Practical Details
You’ll find Beauty & Essex on Level 3 of The Cosmopolitan at 3708 Las Vegas Blvd S. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 5PM to 10:30PM. Friday, 5PM to 11:30PM. Saturday, 4PM to 10PM. Sunday, 5PM to 10:30PM.
Pro tip: Hit happy hour on Wednesday or Thursday between 6PM and 7PM at the bar for handcrafted cocktails. For reservations, call 702.737.0707. Groups of 13 or more should dial 877.551.7776.
The Verdict
Planning a romantic evening? Gathering your crew for shared plates and cocktails? Beauty & Essex delivers on both fronts. The theatrical entrance sets the mood. The kitchen backs it up. This spot has earned a permanent place on my Vegas list.
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