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Rumored for two years, finally confirmed in June, but only now is Beauty & Essex ready to begin construction inside the former Comme Ça space at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Newly filed permits confirm a working pawn shop will reside at the front of the restaurant, mimicking the original Beauty & Essex on New York's Lower East Side.
The 6,900-square-foot front of house will be completely remodeled and the walls of the patio rearranged to increase the outdoor seating area. At the front entrance, a working pawn shop will be built, promised to offer "hot goods" alongside the "hot food" and guests are encouraged to "pawn, sell, enjoy, indulge."
A bar and lounge will be joined by two main dining rooms and two private dining rooms. Serving brunch and dinner, the partnership between the Tao Group and chef and restaurateur Chris Santos will serve "communal and innovative share plates."
In Manhattan, the menu includes a raw bar featuring tuna poke wonton tacos, "Jewels on Toast" like crab rangoon and roasted bone marrow and heartier dishes like oven braised chicken meatballs, pressed jerk-spiced chicken and mushroom crusted sea scallops. With construction work about to begin, a vague 2016 arrival is the only hint of any opening date.
