Beauty & Essex

Chris Santos has always managed to walk a fine line between kitschy and cool, andBeauty & Essex is no exception. Just beyond the faux pawn shop is a super sexy, bi-level space with sixties decor, a two-story chandelier, and champagne flowing in the ladies room.  A place this sexy ought to have sexy finger food.  Santos rises to the occasion with grilled shisito peppers, roasted bone marrow and beet carpaccio.  The Grilled Cheese, Smoked Bacon, and Tomato Soup Dumplings are a playful spin on the classic Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Combo.   Except here everyone gets their own Chinese soup spoon, which comes with a crispy, cheesy dumpling, topped with bacon sprinkles, in a teeny pool of sweet tomato soup.  Slurping is not only acceptable, it’s the most proper way to eat this comforting, sexy, and downright delicious dish.