El Bulli Comes To The United States, And Not A Minute Too Soon

Restaurant: The Bazaar
Address: 465 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Grade: A+
Recommended Dishes: Olives, Caviar & Tomato Heart Cones, Tempura Avocado, Ottoman Carrot Fritters, Organized Caesar, Watermelon Tomato Skewers, Sea Urchin Buns

The Bazaar, located in the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles, was the first restaurant by José Andrés outside the Washington D.C. area. José Andrés is a culinary legend in Spain and the United States and is a disciple and close friend of Chef Ferran Adrià, of El Bulli fame. He started to bring some of El Bulli's "molecular magic" to the US when he opened the six seat Mini Bar on the second floor of Café Atlántico. This concept has been expanded with the opening of Bazaar.

The menu is split into two sections: Traditional Tapas and Modern Tapas. The traditional is a solid run-through of traditional Catalonian tapas, while the modern is the experimental— the magic of food and science that one would expect at a place called The Bazaar by José Andrés. While Andrés' "modern" masterpieces borrow from El Bulli, they truly are a personification of a chef who has embraced both his past and his present. You'll find the airs, foams, tomato hearts and spherification, but at the same time, the dishes are characterized by an American sensibility. There are riffs on Caesar Salad, Tacos, Cheesesteaks, Shrimp Cocktail and Caprese Salad.

Indeed, Bazaar might be called, El Bulli Americana. It might also currently be one of the best restaurants in the States.