Beauty & Essex

The Los Angeles outpost of TAO Group’s glitzy restaurant, which has locations in New York and Las Vegas, occupies 10,000 square feet, starting with a pawn shop in the front that leads into a network of plush lounges and grand dining rooms, all outfitted with crystal chandeliers and antique-looking decor. The opulence makes Beauty & Essex an impressive place for a date, and their global menu doesn’t hurt either; there are oysters and miniature French Dips to start, elote ravioli and lamb chops with polenta for your main course, boozy milkshakes and pot de creme for dessert, and plenty of lavish cocktails to keep you hydrated the whole evening.