Once home to M. Katz & Sons Furniture, Beauty & Essex is the much anticipated second act from Stanton Social mastermind Chris Santos. The place features a pawn shop façade as well as four dining rooms, two bars, and a retro ladies’ lounge. On the menu: a raw bar, “jewels on toast” (bone marrow, whipped ricotta, etc.), bánh-mì-style spring rolls, chicken-fried oysters, lobster tacos, buttermilk-fried chicken, veal short ribs, chicken meatballs, garganelli, and a selection of steaks as well as a burger served with duck-fat fries.
146 Essex Street, near Stanton
212-614-0146
Hours: dinner only for now; expanded hours in 2011