"What It Is: Beauty & Essex is yet another random clubstaurant under the Tao Group’s global empire umbrella. It’s located in Hollywood in the same complex as Tao, but with a generic dining room and a menu full of very basic dishes we thought were only served on international flights. Verdict: We’ve dined here several times (you’re welcome) and still don’t actually know what this place is or how it exists. Problematic as it may be, at least Tao next door made a choice in its pan-Asian branding, Beauty & Essex’s theme is…a hotel conference center? Top deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise? We truly don’t get it, and clearly, neither does anyone else—this place is half-full even on the weekends. There is a working jewelry shop up front, in the event you want to reward yourself for making it through a meal without falling asleep. " - brant cox
