While all the cafe's, lounges and restaurants Leah and I managed to hit up were amazing, I feel it is my duty to divulge the details of a particular culinary jaunt we went on.
The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel - Beverly Hills
You can read a lot about the chef, José Andrés - the dude is an international success - known for creating culinary experiences that really aren't comparable to anything else. José's restaurant took every aspect of dining out very seriously - they call a visit to the Bazaar "the experience" for a reason.
The food is tapas style - but with an avant garde twist that North Americans are not generally used to. The drinks are not your average walk in the park, either - our first drink, the "Magic Mojito", first came as a martini glass with a white pouf of cotton candy filling it. It was transformed when our server came and poured a concoction overtop - the cotton candy disappeared before our eyes, and shortly after so did our drinks... They were too delicious to put down! Think tart + sweet, and incredibly smooth.
Some of the dishes we got were devoured too fast to be captured. Some dishes on the menu sounded quite conventional - like the caprese & caesar salads, and the philly cheesesteak. When they were brought out, however, the presentation turned the food into something completely different than we'd ever seen before.
- "The Organized Caesar" - Quail Egg, Parmesan
- "The Philly Cheesesteak" - This little sandwich packed a lot of punch, and came with a warning: MESSY. The blown-up pita was filled with liquid cheese, which tasted like a very rich white cheddar. Beef Carpaccio, chives and rock salt laid atop the pita, and when it all came together, it made for one hell of a flavor explosion. I would highly recommend this to anyone going to the Bazaar.
Along with caprese salad (liquid cheese encapsulated in a cheese "bubble", with pesto and cherry tomatoes), chicken croquettes (think chicken pot pie in a deep fried stick form), gigantic scallops and another drink or two, Leah and I agreed this was a meal that would not be forgotten.
BUT - we were not done. We were then whisked off to the "dessert room" - yes, the desserts have their own room, with a display you can walk through and choose your poison from. I would say this is a must-do for all Bazaar visitors - the variety of candies, cakes, cookies and other decadent treats was overwhelming in a VERY good way. Leah and I went for panna cotta and chocolate mousse - a decadent ending to our incredible meal.
Thank you, to the Bazaar - I can say I have had "The Experience", and I want it again as soon as possible.
OTHER HONORABLE LA FOOD MENTIONS:
- Best Room & Patio: Eveleigh on Sunset Boulevard - The restaurant resembles a cottage in the front, and the back of the restaurant is a massive tent. This place serves drinks that pack a punch and the menu is made by an ethically-conscious chef, with all sustainable and organic items on the menu.
- Chic & Unique: Fig and Olive on La Cienega - A Greek restaurant of sorts - the menu is constructed entirely around variations of olive oil. The room is sleek, minimalistic and beautiful, hosting a single tree in the middle of the room.
- Best for Celebrity Sightings: Urth Caffe on Melrose - the original location of LA's best coffee, and word has gotten out. This cafe is constantly packed with locals, tourists, and celebs alike. Don't forget to order the chocolate pistachio croissant - you will not regret it.
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