Following the success of destinations in New York City, Washington DC, Chicago and LA, the José Andrés Group has opened a second Las Vegas restaurant.
Located in the heart of Sin City’s glitzy The Shops at Crystals on The Strip, Bazaar Mar joins the group’s Bazaar Meat, which opened in Vegas way back in 2014. But, while Bazaar Meat was, naturally, a celebration of a highly carnivorous diet, Bazaar Mar looks to the ocean with a seafood-forward menu delivered in the group’s signature sharing style.
The adjacent Bar Centro, which will open during the day for coffee and pastries, at lunch for pastries, and for cocktails in the evening, is set to debut later this month, too.
“We are proud that our Vegas restaurants have contributed to the city’s position as a top culinary destination for many years,” said Sam Bakhshandehpour, CEO of José Andrés Group. “The opening of Bazaar Mar is our first collaboration with Simon Property Group and one that emphasizes our deep commitment to push culinary boundaries at premium properties as we grow across Las Vegas and the West Coast.”
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One of the most celebrated chefs in the North American culinary landscape, Spanish-born José Andrés cut his teeth in the incomparable el Bulli. Since then he has amassed an impressive empire of over 30 restaurants (and growing), including the two-Michelin-starred minibar in Washington DC.
Pulling on his experience as a Spanish immigrant and now an American citizen, Andrés is committed to harnessing the international power of food, and in 2010 established World Central Kitchen – a charitable organization focussed on using culinary programs to empower communities and deliver food aid.
Since its conception, World Central Kitchen has delivered thousands of tons of food to conflict and natural disaster-stricken regions, including Gaza, Ukraine, Japan and Haiti.
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Created by José Andrés Group partner and concept chef Manuel Echeverri, Bazaar Mar’s menu showcases signature Spanish flavors through the lens of the world’s finest seafood. Guests can begin with tapas-inspired ‘little snacks’ and chilled raw bar, before moving onto a selection of larger fish-focused dishes. The restaurant showcases the diversity of fish preparation, with everything from salt-baked, flame-grilled, fried to sashimi available.
As with each Bazaar location, a signature ‘cone’ is on the menu – at the Vegas restaurant, it’s a River Trout Cone, filled with Smoke in Chimneys trout from Virginia, served with preserved Meyer lemon and dill. In true José Andrés style, there is plenty of flair involved in the menu – expect plenty of tableside preparations and inventive platings.
Bazaar Mar’s drinks list is curated by the group’s senior director of wine and beverage Daniel Grajewski, who has put together a Spanish-focused wine list with emphasis on small-scale producers that Andrés himself has forged relationships with throughout his career. Suitably theatrical cocktails are on offer too.
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Glamorous interiors have become standard within the José Andrés Group portfolio and the new Vegas is no exception. Designed by Spain’s Lázaro Rosa-Violán Studio, the restaurant is inspired by the ocean with a custom seaside-themed mural welcoming guests.
Inside, a teal-green color scheme accented with rattan chairs and lemon prints transports diners to Italian shores, while flashes of gold and marble add a touch of luxe.
An open kitchen invites guests to peek at the action, while a private dining room beckons guests looking for a more intimate affair.
Bazaar Mar, The Shops at Crystals, 3720 S Las Vegas Blvd, Suite 240, Las Vegas, NV 89158, thebazaar.com