After two years away, José Andrés is returning to Los Angeles with force. The iconic Spanish chef is opening five new spots (two restaurants, two bars and a pool deck) at the Frank Gehry-designed Conrad Los Angeles hotel.
“I am so excited to return to Los Angeles, a city that I absolutely love,” Andrés said in a statement. “These brand-new restaurants and bars are our way of celebrating all the beautiful bounty that California has to offer.”
Andrés initially came to LA in 2008, when he opened Bazaar at the SLS Hotel. That led to the opening of Somni, led by Aitor Zabala, inside the Bazaar, which earned two Michelin stars. However, a contract dispute with the SLS during the pandemic led to the shuttering of both Bazaar and Somni.
Now, Andrés returns once again going the hotel route. Located at the Grand LA complex, the Gehry-designed Conrad Los Angeles is a 305-room luxury hotel located in Downtown Los Angeles.
Andrés’ openings include San Laurel, where Spanish flavors are evoked through the use of quintessential California ingredients. Open for breakfast and dinner, the restaurant features dishes such as a bone-in wagyu ribeye and roasted celeriac carpaccio. At beach cluby, rooftop space Agua Viva, visitors will find coconut ceviche and DIY hand rolls. The poolside Airlight offers grilled skewers as an accompaniment to tiki punch bowls. Sed, which means “thirsty” in Spanish, crafts cocktails such as a Japanese whiskey milk punch, while the Beaudry Room delivers more classic offerings.
The Conrad Los Angeles opens July 6, with Andrés’ spots following on July 8. For more information, head over to the hotel’s official website.
