Tag Archives: the bizarre restaurant

Saam I Aam


Located in a clandestine room behind an unmarked door at the rear of The Bazaar in the SLS Hotel, Saam offers one of the best and most exciting dining experiences in the city. Here, super-star chef José Andrés has crafted a tasting menu of approximately 22 small plates of whimsy and gastronomical delight, almost all of which do not appear on the menu at The Bazaar. With so many courses, the meal takes around 3 1/2 hours to complete. Service is top-notch; among the best I’ve ever experienced. Of course Saam is not inexpensive. The cost is $120 per person plus tax, tip, optional wine pairing ($100) and optional shaved truffles ($35-$50 per course). But as with The French Laundry, this is not just a meal. It’s an evening of entertainment; a special and unique experience.

Chef Andrés, who trained at the legendary El Bulli in Barcelona, is incredibly creative and utilizes molecular gastronomy and other playful techniques to surprise and wow his diners. There are scallops masquerading as carrots, spherified mozzerella balls which instantly liquify in your mouth, a Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwich which has been elevated both literally and figuratively, and a Spanish street food favorite that has been turned inside-out. It’s all really delicious too. One of the high points of the meal is “Dragon’s Breath Popcorn,” a puffed corn cake that is immersed in liquid nitrogen at your table, causing smoke to come out of your nose and mouth when you eat it. The desserts are excellent also, especially the frozen Apricot Timbale with Amaretto, and there is a gift of chocolates to take home.

Saam is located in the SLS Hotel at 465 S. La Cienega, Los Aneles (Mid-City near Beverly Hills and West Hollywood). If you enjoy Consuming LA, please subscribe, like me on Facebook and/or follow me on Twitter at the top right of this page. And please forward to your friends!

Apple Meringue with Blue Cheese

 

Spicy Handroll

 

Seabeans in Tempura

 

Oyster and Jambon

 

Jose’s Combination

 

Brussels Sprouts

 

Patatas Bravas

 

Chicken Skin & Cigala

 

Not Your Everyday Caprese

 

Crispy Nigiri

 

Uni & Eel

Chipirones

 

Banh Mi

 

Carrot or Scallop

 

Mirugai

 

Mushroom & Duck Liver

 

Dessert Desert

Japanese Baby Peaches

Dragon’s Breath Popcorn

 

Apricot Timbale with Amaretto

 

Sexy Little Sweets

 

Cotton Candy Cocktails

 

Gifts to take home!

 

Located in a clandestine room behind Bazaar


SAAM at The Bazaar on Urbanspoon

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Filed under Beverly Hills, Mid-City, West Hollywood