26 Nov Please The Palate Pick of the Week: José Andrés’ San Laurel Restaurant at the Conrad Los Angeles

They say good things come in small packages and that saying holds true when it comes to small plates, especially at San Laurel Restaurant at the Conrad Los Angeles in downtown LA. Located on the 10th floor of a hotel, this is not a typical hotel restaurant. Modern and bustling with views of Disney Hall and the surrounding downtown LA, San Laurel is home to Michelin-starred chef and humanitarian José Andrés and the Please The Palate pick of the week.

About San Laurel

The Conrad Los Angeles is a new modern hotel in downtown Los Angeles that was designed by famed architect Frank Gehry and José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup has taken residence inside this hotel. San Laurel is the marquee restaurant. Sitting on the 10th floor, the restaurant is a half-indoor, half-outdoor space. The open façade is minimally decorated but these small accents pop out in the muted earth-toned space.

Our Menu

San Laurel offers a menu that connects the Iberian Peninsula with Southern California. Fresh, sustainable products are used to produce bold Spanish flavors. Striped Bass Crudo (cured striped bass, white escabeche, scallions, garlic blossom) is a simple dish with fresh, bright flavors that awoke the palate. “Beefsteak” Tomato Tartare (aged balsamic, Savora mustard, olive oil, cucumber, black olive, romaine leaves) is a fun vegan-friendly play on a beef tartare. The “beefsteak” refers to beefsteak tomatoes that are sun-dried and finely chopped and topped with a “yolk” made of gelatinous tomato water. Stracciatella Salad with roasted beets, orange, Marcona almonds, and pea shoots is an elevated version of a burrata and beet salad. Grilled baby zucchini with whipped labneh and Za’atar is a lovely, light, flavorful dish. Wild Mushrooms in Laurel Cream with a fried farm egg, thyme, and toasted pan de cristal is a rich, warm, comforting, earthy dish. Lubina with fire roasted leeks, mussel-saffron cream, and tarragon was such a vibrant dish and I loved the combination of the delicate white fish with the cream sauce. Good things do come in smaller plates. And small plates mean you can order multiple dishes and enjoy lots of flavors. San Laurel is a great option for a pre-show meal or post-show drink if heading to Disney Hall or the Music Center.

Where to find San Laurel

San Laurel Conrad Los Angeles 100 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 349-8585