Bravo Chris Santos!
I was fortunate enough to be invited to an intimate private media dining experience at Beauty & Essex. Diners enter the restaurant through a music store-style gift shop with electric guitars hanging from the wall-- some custom hand-built from scratch like those from Cindy Guitars.
The entrance sets the tone for a vibrant young and dynamic restaurant with lots of surprises.
This chef’s tasting included the restaurant's newest menu items and was hosted by acclaimed executive chef, Chris Santos. He took his guests through a culinary journey of the new dishes he created for the Los Angeles location.
A few of my favorite items on the menu included the crispy Thai-style shrimp with a green papaya slaw, "Les NYC Doughnuts" served with dark chocolate fudge, berry, and caramel sauces and egg yolk-only butterscotch and chocolate Pots de Creme with a coconut-infused whipped cream (pictures not included as it was devoured after first sight). Each guest was presented with a signed copy of Chef Santos's delicious recipe book, Share.
I also highly recommend Beauty & Essex (both New York City and Los Angeles locations) for Brunch. The classic rich Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Dumplings, a Beauty & Essex staple, is one of my all time favorites but don't pass up ordering the Eggs Benedict which are served on potato latkes or the lobster BLTs.
