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| - Beauty & Essex is one Vegas restaurant that's doing absolutely everything right. It's the full package -- gorgeous ambiance, gracious service, and outstanding food.
Located in the third-floor restaurant zone of the Cosmo, I was impressed by B&E before I even reached the host stand. As you enter, you pass through a beautiful "pawn shop" selling jewelry, guitars, and (perhaps most importantly) copies of Chris Santos' cookbook.
The vibe changes entirely once you enter the restaurant proper, which is covered in stands of pearls and sumptuous decor. My guest and I opted for seats at the lively bar. Before long, the bartendress took our dinner orders, and I had a delicious glass of Malbec in hand.
B&E specializes in small plates, which are meant for sharing. Three plates were just the right amount of food for a dinner for two:
1) Short rib mac and cheese. Probably the best mac and cheese plates I've ever had. The cheese was gooey and delicious -- but not heavy. The short rib was tender and shone through nicely. The jalapeno cornbread crust provided the perfect crunch.
2) Ratatouille with zucchini, yellow squash, tomato, and piperade. The perfect accompaniment to the mac and cheese. The dish was stunning to look at, and the flavor was excellent too, with a nice spicy kick from the piperade.
3) Kygo "cloud nine" s'mores with dark chocolate torte, pecan graham crumble, marshmallow clouds, and chocolate sauce. One of the most fabulous, indulgent desserts I've ever seen. It's a veritable mountain of delicious chocolate, swimming in marshmallow goodness. The behemoth portion size was an added bonus.
Throughout our dinner, service was friendly and prompt. Also friendly were the other patrons at the bar. Everyone at B&E seems to be there for good food, good times, and minimum pretensions. That's like my kind of place.
Bravo, Chris Santos -- B&E is exactly what the Vegas dining scene needed. I can't wait to pay your restaurant another visit.
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