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Bazaar at SLS Hotel Beverly Hills
José Andrés is said to run the best new restaurant in the USA, Bazaar at SLS Hotel Beverly Hills, California
By: Mary Gostelow
Every November, Esquire magazine carries culinary pundit John Mariani’s list of best restaurants that have opened in the preceding 14 months.
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The November 2009 issue lists 20 restaurants that have opened since September 2008. Best restaurant of the class of 2009 is Bazaar, overseen by Mieres-born José Ramón Andrés Puerta, usually known as José Andrés. It is this Spanish chef who is often credited for bringing tapas-style small-plate dining to the USA. He is chef/owner of THINKfoodGROUP, the creative team responsible for some of Washington’s favorite dining concepts: Café Atlantico, Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel and José’s critically-acclaimed minibar by José Andrés. His popular Washington DC restaurant Jaleo is one of the first critically and commercially successful tapas restaurants, setting the standard for other Spanish restaurants for the next 15 years. Often referred to as Spain’s unofficial ambassador to the United States, José Andrés is host and executive producer of Made in Spain, a 26-episode PBS television series focusing on Spain’s wine, food and travel. Drawing on his unrivalled expertise, José Andrés takes viewers to every corner of the country highlighting his favorite markets, vineyards, restaurants, artisans and more. The series is produced by José Andrés’ THINKfoodGROUP along with Philip Lerman Productions.
In 2007, José Andrés and THINKfoodGROUP partnered with SBE Hotel Group and designer Philippe Starck in the creation of SLS Hotels. Its first property, SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, opened late 2008. José and his team oversee the food and beverage program for the new hotel group, including the signature destination restaurant The Bazaar by José Andrés. The Bazaar, which has a staggering 400 seats (can you IMAGINE having 399 other diners around you?) recently received a four-star rating by the Los Angeles Times, making it the only four-star restaurant in Los Angeles. Andrés is, despite all his other commitments, above, is at Bazaar at least twice a month.
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The luxury 297-room SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, started life as Nikko and then became Le Méridien. It transformed to its present best-of-best look in 2008. The hotel is owned by Sam Nazarian, and Philippe Starck is indeed designer, of the whole hotel plus The Bazaar.
Right, which are John Mariani’s other best new restaurants? WOW.travel is especially pleased to see these, in his list of 20 best new restaurants in the USA: Bottega in Yountville CA, owned by chef Michael Chiarello, who, many years ago, prepared a Barbarian Feast for the guests of the oh-so-loved wine personalities, Barney and Belle Rhodes; Lemaire, in the Jefferson Hotel, Richmond VA; Marea seafood on Central Park South, New York (chef-owner Michael White); Paces 88 in the The St. Regis, Atlanta, chef Mark Alba; Prado in the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, Scottsdale AZ, chef Claudio Urcuoli; Society Café Encore, a partnership with Kim Canteenwalla at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas; SRA Martinez in Miami, owned by chef Michelle Bernstein, who made her name when she opened Azur in Mandarin Oriental Miami.
SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, The Luxury Collection, Los Angeles, United States
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