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The Bazaar by José Andrés

SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
465 S. La Cienega Blvd. (San Vicente Blvd.) Send to Phone
Beverly HillsCA 90048
310-246-5555 | Make Restaurant Reservations
Be ready to treat yourself to carefully crafted modern tapas by chef José Andrés in a somewhat over-the-top décor.  The second GAYOT Dinner Series was held at Saam at The Bazaar by José Andrés. For more information, read GAYOT's blog.
 For more about on The Bazaar by José Andrés, read GAYOT's blog.
 For a photo tour of the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, read GAYOT's blog.

Cuisine

Open

Dinner nightly, Afternoon Tea Sat.-Sun., Brunch Sat.-Sun.

Features

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Dining room at The Bazaar by José Andrés, Beverly Hills, CAWe have seen many hip places open (and close) where the scene takes over the kitchen, the chef makes no effort, and our expectations of a great meal are not met. We always wonder why so much money is spent on the décor and why more thought isn't put into the culinary aspect. Well, with The Bazaar, we are very happy to report that, for once, major attention has been devoted to both. Let's first talk about the design by world-renowned Philippe Starck. Through his relationship with restaurateur-hotelier Sam Nazarian, he is now well-established in Los Angeles from his work on XIV and three Katsuyas. With SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, where The Bazaar is located, Starck unleashed his imagination, from top to bottom. To give you an idea: there are more than a hundred different styles of chairs, and nearly two dozen glass and crystal chandeliers. You will surely never be bored by the surroundings! The Bazaar, as its name suggests, has more than one venue. There are four sections: The Pâtisserie, offering high tea in the afternoon, bonbons and desserts in the evening; Bar Centro, where the action creates a line outside to get in; and restaurants Blanca, done in white tones, and Rojo, dressed in black and red. The master in the kitchen behind all of these is famed Spanish-born chef José Andrés, who has a number of restaurants in Washington, D.C. His imagination is as big as his smile and charming personality. Come hungry or in numbers so you can taste more of Andrés's inventive tapas. And don't hesitate: in this case inventive is smart, elegant, good and very good. Eat the liquid olive in one bite; don't drop it---you won't be able to pick it up. The same goes for the foie gras wrapped in cotton candy, and the mozzarella-tomato pipettes with micro basil. Easier to eat are the delicious "jamones" (cured hams), that may be paired with toasted rustic bread with tomato and olive oil; the watermelon tomato skewers; the Catalan spinach with apple, pine nuts and raisins; and the tasty seared piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese. Skip the chicken croquetas for the small potatoes cooked in sea water to dip in a "mojo verde," and the king crab seasoned with raspberry vinegar. More creations include Andrés's interpretation of the Philly cheesesteak, braised Wagyu beef cheeks, and paella-style pasta with monkfish and shrimp. The last time we dined, we ended with the spot-on miso linguine, and it was just perfect. To fully experience The Bazaar, we recommend you move to The Pâtisserie for the must-have chocolate mousse or Greek yogurt panna cotta. The wine list is short, and dominated by Spain selections. You should also try the specialty drinks or the sangría Blanca or Rojo.

User Ratings & Reviews for The Bazaar by José Andrés
Average rating    4
Reviews 1 - 2 of 21
Bazaar or Bizarro
by Ka$hBack on 02/05/2010
 
Sort of both... Happening place for sure. Many different sitting areas like the food from plain old simple dishes to molecular stuff. Not easy to get a rez unless you just show up late.
 
Totally Bazaar!!
by MyLastBite on 11/18/2008
 
The Bazaar by Jose Andres is described as "a modern-day indoor piazza where guests and locals alike can enjoy pioneering culinary creations and intricately-concocted libations throughout several spaces: Bar Centro, Blanco, Rojo and the Patisserie." It sounds a little intimidating I know, but when you walk in the front door the friendly staff are ready to lead you through the evening... and what a fun evening it was!

There were four of us for dinner on opening night, my husband Peter, my sister Janet and her husband Paul (whose birthday we were celebrating). We started off with drinks at Bar Centro, which offers a traditional bar menu and modern "new way" drinks. I ordered the "New Way" Dirty martini with spherified olives and brine "air". I was really excited to try Ferran Adria's "liquid olive" and it did not disappoint. If you haven't seen the video clip of Ferran Adria making the liquid olive at el Bulli, then you may not appreciate it as much as I did. The segment was on Mark Bittman's "The Best Recipes In The World" show on PBS. Episode 9 titled "The Cutting Edge". It's worth searching for online if you missed it.

Between the four of us we shared twenty dishes (including two desserts) from both the Rojo (traditional tapas) and Blanco (modern tapas) menu. In addition to cocktails we also tried the White Sangria (which was fantastic), Spanish Marge wine and then finished the evening with Pedro Ximénez Sherry.

My favorite dishes (that I would definitely order again and again):
"Mozzarella Tomato Pipettes with Micro Basil".These were so fun to eat! At the same time you bite the tomato, you squeeze the pipette (little tube) into your mouth, a really tasty combination of olive oil and a creamy liquid mozzarella. $8.00

"Organized Caesar with Quail Eggs and Parmesan Cheese". This plate was so beautiful we sort of just stared at it for a minute. There was only one quail egg and I was lucky to grab it! Delicious. $9.00

"Japanese Baby Peaches with Yogurt and Olive Oil". Perfectly sweet and tart. $12.00

"Olives Ferran Adria". Our server Skyler scooped out the liquid olives from a jar tableside.The plate came with 4 olives, each on it's own spoon. $10.00 for four "olives".

Note: If you don't want to spend the $10 for four liquid olives, just order the "New Way" Dirty Martini... it comes with the liquid olive!

"Croquetas de pollo" - Chicken and Bechamel Fritters.They tasted like chicken and dumplings mixed inside, crispy on the outside. I could have eaten another plate myself! $7.00

"Watermelon Skewers" with Pedro Ximenez reduction and Tomato Seeds. A GREAT palate cleanser. $15.00

Our server Skyler was fantastic. He was enthusiastic, paid great attention to us and really knew the menu inside and out. Simply said, Skyler was a wonderful guide on our trip through the Bazaar!

Photos (including Marcel Vigneron working with foam) on MyLastBite.com
 
 
 


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