Top 6 Mouthwatering Plates That Are Perfect For Sharing

Tucked behind a hidden entrance of a pawn shop, Beauty & Essex is NYC’s “must visit” restaurant that boasts innovative dishes served in a glamorous ambiance.

1. Tuna Poke Wonton Tacos ($17)

Blanketed in between crunchy wonton taco shells are fresh, raw tuna marinated in soy sauce and topped with micro cilantro, julienne radish, a dash of sesame seeds, and wasabi kew pie.

2. Crab Rangoon ($17)

A generous serving of warm jumbo lump crab sits on top of crispy crab crackers, and topped with sweet Thai chili pearls, thinly sliced greens, and a dollop of rich aioli.

3. Grilled Peach & Housemade Ricotta ($13)

Perfect treat for the spring, the grilled toast is decorated with a spread of creamy ricotta and grilled peach with a drizzle of chili honey and basil.

4. Braised Short Ribs ($27)Braised Short Ribs ($27)

Three pieces of tender short ribs topped with pickled pearl onion lays on top of rich, creamy morel mushroom risotto with grilled asparagus.

5. Mushroom Crusted Sea Scallops ($32)

The perfectly seared jumbo sea scallops maintain their plump, juicy interior. They are served with lemon truffled leeks, yukon gold potato puree, and thyme.

6. Box of Doughnuts ($14)

Can’t decide between fruity and chocolatey? Then have both! Three pieces each of fluffy, warm vanilla beignets are filled with chocolate hazelnut creme or raspberry jam.

A Hearty Meal With Generous Portion At A Parisian-Style Brasserie

Gaspar Brasserie

You will feel like you have been transformed into a Parisian brasserie upon enteringGaspar Brasserie. Located in SF’s Financial District, the restaurant exudes all the flairs and ambiance of a Parisian brasserie, starting with its warm and vibrant interior featuring crimson leather seats, textured wooden walls, and antique chandeliers, as well as a menu that features classic French dishes with a Northern California influence.

Les Plateaux de Fruits de Mer ($66/$100)

The imposing Les Plateaux de Fruits de Mer ($66 for petit, $100 for grand) highlighted a selection of fresh, chilled seasonal seafood. According to our knowledgeable waiter, the small tower is appropriate for a group of 2-3, while the large is fit for 4-5 people. Our small tower included three varieties of oysters (half dozen total) served with champagne mignonette, jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, poached octopus with green olives, and a half lobster. All the seafood, from the perfectly seasoned octopus to the plump shrimp, was extremely fresh and mouthwatering.

Grilled Côte de Porc ($27)

Per the waiter’s recommendation, I opted for the Grilled Côte de Porc ($27). Over a bed of herbed spaetzle and shaved Brussels sprouts was a big piece of lightly seared, bone-in pork loin with juniper-mustard sauce and heirloom apple. The lean piece of pork was a bit pink nearer to the bone, but I enjoyed the balance of sweet and savory from the apple and the mustard sauce. I wished the spaetzle, which was unfortunately a bit “flat,” had a chunkier, chewier texture. The portion was extremely generous.

Braised Beef Short Rib ($28)

I also tried the Braised Beef Short Rib ($28), another entree with a huge portion. The tender, fatty short rib was glazed with Bordeaux gastrique and topped with sauce verte atop a bed of baby root vegetables. Like the pork, the short rib also had an interplay between sweet and savory from the glaze and the green sauce. The baby root vegetables of colorful heirloom carrots, beets, and cipollini onion highlighted fresh, seasonal vegetables.

Moelleux Au Chocolat ($10)

The Moelleux Au Chocolat ($10) was like an exciting firework in my mouth, providing a memorable sensory journey through its different flavors and textures. Accompanying a moist chocolate lava cake with warm, ooey center was a dollop of cool chocolate mousse, crunchy “cocoa puffs,” and creamy vanilla-rum anglaise. This chocolate lover’s dream was such a delightfully sweet ending to a hearty meal at Gaspar Brasserie.