There is a new Hollywood star in town, and it is isn’t a person at all. But rather an upscale, celebrity-infused hot spot with some of the tastiest food in the neighborhood. Enter Beauty & Essex Hollywood, the sister location of the New York outpost, full of the same downtown charm, just 3,000 miles to the southwest.
Sipping bubbly in the ladies room with my sister
The west coast location presents itself as a pawn shop, just like in New York. But once you enter through the facade, you are transformed into an exclusive Hollywood hideaway, favored by the likes of Vanessa Hudgens, Chanel Iman, and Nicole Scherzinger, just name a few. A stop by the ladies room warrants a glass of bubbly rose, served from the champagne bar in front of the stalls. The perfect place to sit back, relax, and catch up with girlfriends. Once we made our way into the main dining room (there are several lounges and smaller dining areas), the room was filled with girls night out groups, couples on dates, and men on the prowl. It was Friday night after all!
The Emerald Gimlet, Green With Envy, and The Woodsman cocktails
And speaking of adult beverages, three of the standouts include The Woodsman with bourbon, Allspice dram, maple syrup, and muddled pears; the Green With Envy with cucumber-infused vodka, St. Germain, grapefruit juice, and habanero; and the Emerald Gimlet with Absolute “Elyx” Vodka, Basil, Lemon Nectar, and Fresh Lime. The cocktail menu is very easy to navigate, with the choices divided into sweet or savory.
“The Roxy” Tuna Tartare Appetizer
As for the internationally-inspired cuisine, I had several favorites. The Thai Style Deep Fried Shrimp, Yellowtail Sashimi, and the Tandooria Spiced Chicken were all delish. But what really impressed me was the willingness of the staff to work with my long list of food allergies. In fact, they created a new dish that had never been served before, just for me that they referred to as “The Roxy”: Tuna Tartare dressed with micro cilantro, radish, and wasabi kewpie on top of a lettuce cup. So good. Another highlight was the Classic Thick Cut Filet which was accompanied by a super-tasty chimichurri dipping sauce. That steak entree was on the pricier side, but I decided to splurge since it was a holiday weekend!
And for a little bit of sweetness in the end, the melon sorbet was my jam. It was so fresh, it was the perfect mix of sweet and creamy. The perfect way to end this fun night!
