"Do you believe in what you see?" - Zero 7, In The Waiting Line
At the moment, the little green globule burst in mouth, my eyes widened and I had to stifle an unexpected laugh of surprise and delight. The number of firsts in my life are few and far between these days and even more rare when it comes to food. I can have exquisite meals, interesting meals, unique meals but a true "I've never had anything before in my life" kind of meal? Not really. Except for last night when a molecular gastronomic interpretation of an olive exploded over my tongue giving me the most intense olive flavor I've ever had in my life and a pure, perfect moment of first time wonder.
The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel was a magnificent dining experience. Beyond the taste buds, however, it's an adventure for all your senses. My eyes were drawn to the Philippe Starck decor, the eclectic crowd, or the making of my liquid nitrogen caipirinha being made at the table. I spent more time than usual smelling what was put before me like the notes of ginger and lime wafting from my perfect moscow mule to the smoky scent of the Jamón ibérico to the fruity aroma of our panna cotta dessert. Textures abounded begging for my fingers to feel.
And still the food shined above it all. The cotton candy duck livers were unlike anything I have ever had in life. The cauliflower "cous cous" was the most creative and most intriguing bite of the night. Hell, we were so uncertain about what we were eating that we ate the (inedible) paper that our japanese tacos came wrapped in.
And liked it.
Food adventuring has become an unofficial goal of 2012. Next month we have Picca Peru and then, after that, ink. or Animal. I'm not sure if any of those places will be able to bring the shock and awe like José Andrés and staff do at The Bazaar but I can't wait to see them try.
