SAAM at The Bazaar Closing to Make Way for New Tasting Menu Restaurant

SAAM at The Bazaar, a hidden tasting menu specialist placed deep inside the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, will soon become a new restaurant called Somni helmed by Aitor Zabala, who comes from José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup. SAAM, which makes a regular appearance in Jonathan Gold’s 101, is an exclusive space that models Jose Andres’ minibar in D.C. and e in Vegas, showcasing Spanish flavors with avant garde and modernist techniques. While they weren’t giving too many details on what Somni will offer, think of it as a kind of SAAM 2.0, with an even more ambitious approach to the high-flying theatrics of its predecessor.

Before Somni opens, however, one of the world’s most notable chefs will come in to conduct a few high-profile dinners. Mugaritz chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, who runs the two Michelin star and ninth best restaurant according to the World’s 50 Best in Errenteria, Spain will collaborate with Zabala on a $250 special tasting menu dinner from July 21 and 22. The 18-course tasting menus will only host twenty diners per evening, and offers an optional $150 wine pairing. Tickets are available here.

Global food cognoscenti might also be interested in Aduriz’s mini pop-up inside The Bazaar (the larger restaurant inside the SLS) because he’ll be preparing dishes from Topa Sukaldería, a new eatery that incorporates Basque and Latin-American flavors. The pop-up will run from July 18 to 21, with a six dish array that can be ordered alongside The Bazaar’s standard slate of tapas. Dishes include tacotalos de Idiazabal y jamon iberico and tiradito de anchoa fresca marinada, and reservations are highly recommended.

For diners who chase Michelin stars and global recognition, it’s a rare chance in L.A. to try some of Mugaritz’s dishes. SAAM at The Bazaar first debuted in 2009. The last night of service for SAAM will be July 29.

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