The Bazaar Bar by José Andrés – NYC
Enjoy Japanese-influenced cocktails and modernist small plates ahead of dining at NYC's Bazaar
Serving as the first-floor entryway to The Bazaar by José Andrés on the Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad’s second floor, The Bazaar Bar has its own menu of snacks and cocktails to enjoy before (or after) the main restaurant opens for dinner. Just like the Bazaar upstairs, Bazaar Bar infuses established José Andrés Group recipes with Japanese ingredients, including whiskies, sakes, and shochus, notably creating a brilliant Sangria de Sake with elements such as lemongrass, Japanese vermouth, sparkling sake and Spanish cava.
Notably, Bazaar Bar doesn’t attempt to offer the dedicated jamón ibérico and caviar experiences of the Las Vegas Bar Centro; in the Ritz-Carlton, they’re saved for Nubeluz, the elevated cocktail lounge upstairs. But as this is a José Andrés establishment, both premium ingredients appear in other items.
Roughly 20 small plates are mostly shared with this location of The Bazaar, such as an outstanding “Mar & Montana” yakitori skewer set loaded with black garlic chicken and shrimp, oysters with citrus ponzu, a stunningly black inked fried squid and cured quail egg plate, and an almost amusingly tiny squid bun – not sandwich – called the Po Boy José. It’s “almost amusing” because it’s $14, which only sounds like a trivial amount for a bite-sized sandwich after being consumed with several $20 cocktails.
Similarly “too small” are two desserts unique to this space, a barely-larger-than-Goldfish duo of cream-filled Taiyaki, and a Carajillo Roll Cake made with vanilla, coffee, and toffee. The Bazaar Bar’s flavors and presentation are all solid; just don’t expect to have a full meal here.
Stats
Price: $$$-$$$$
Service: Table
Open Since: 2023
Addresses
35 W. 28th St.
New York, NY 10001
212.804.9070
Instagram: @bazaarbyjose