STAR STUDDED BEAUTY AND ESSEX OPENING

Kim Kardashian

Maggie Gyllenhaal And Chef Chris Santos

Kelly Rutherford

It was a star-studded evening in downtown Manhattan at the opening of new restaurant and lounge Beauty & Essex from the owners of Stanton Social. Celebrities to walk the purple carpet included Kim Kardashian, Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford, socialite Tinsley Mortimer, Jay Sean, and Victoria's Secret Angel Selita Ebanks, Royal Pains Reshma Shetty, Jennifer Esposito among others. Kim Kardashian gushed about the new space, saying, "I'm so excited to be in New York now and love learning about new spots to hang out. Beauty & Essex is going to be amazing and the place to be!" Her holiday plans include lots of family time. New Yorker Maggie Gyllenhaal looked amazing as always. She marveled at the space, lingering over the pawn shop finding a few pieces that she thought would be great as a gift for her mom, brother or husband. Maggie being a foodie wanted to meet chef and owner Chris Santos and hung out and ordered her favorite a margarita on the rocks with salt while she munched on chicken meatballs, a decadent pizza, and the fois gras "Jewels on Toast Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford arrived on the purple carpet in a Marc Bouwer faux fur jacket and decked out in earrings, a ring, and bracelets by Simon G. Kelly said she's been dying to try out Beauty & Essex, and she ate the sliders and chicken meatballs after checking out all the goods in the pawn shop. "This place is amazing," she declared. "I didn't know about the pawn shop element; I have some stuff I should have brought in!" She also saw a few unique items that she thought would be perfect for the holidays. Selita Ebanks adored the pawn shop in the front of Beauty & Essex and found a pair of earrings she said she wanted for Christmas. Socialite Tinsley Mortimor arrived in a printed romper from Intermix with beau Brian Mazza on her arm. They were excited to check out the scene at Beauty & Essex and loved the rose gold room and the pawn shop. Beauty & Essex is the epitome of Downtown New York dining. The menu features share plates to appeal to every palette, a nontraditional raw bar including tomato carpaccio, and the inventive "Jewels on Toast," unique to Chris Santos in honor of the decadent, jewelry-themed restaurant. The chic new space features a a two-story custom chandelier at the circular stair, antique mirrors throughout, and even a private dining room at the back inspired by a vintage bank vault. Each of the five dining rooms has a different theme from rose-gold to lockets and pearls, and the ladies room boasts a bar where complimentary champagne flows all night long.

Photos By: to Jamie McCarthy And Chance Yeh