Small Bites: The XIV vegan menu, Montage Beverly Hills, José Andrés' Bazaar, and yet more openings downtown

A new upscale vegan option: There's a new vegan menu at XIV restaurant, SBE's Michael Mina venue on Sunset Boulevard, in addition to the regular (for fish and meat eaters) and vegetarian menus. The concept is still design-your-own tasting menu, with everyone at the table having to agree on what to eat (all dishes are served for the entire table). But if you're a vegetarian or vegan, then you can do your own thing — well, unless you're all vegetarians or all vegans.... Maybe it's not as confusing as it sounds. Examples from the vegan menu: Thai coconut soup with butternut squash, garnet yam and kaffir lime; vegetables a la grecque; pine nut terrine; herb-roasted sasify with Medjool dates, thyme and English walnuts; and frozen rambutan with pine needle, Asian pear and Lillet caramel. 8117 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 656-1414, sbeent.com.

Hotel dining in Beverly Hills: The new Montage Beverly Hills luxury hotel opens today. The restaurant Parq, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the Conservatory Grill by the rooftop pool are also open. Muse, serving dinner only and featuring "exotic seafood and prime meats," opens its doors tomorrow. All three are led by executive chef John Cuevas, formerly chef de cuisine at the Loft at Montage Laguna Beach. 225 N. Canon, Beverly Hills, (888) 860-0788, montagebeverlyhills.com.

José Andrés' L.A. debut: The Bazaar by José Andrés at the SLS Hotel opens today; the restaurant is  described as "a vibrant mix of sophisticated cuisine and playful lounge spaces" — cocktails such as margaritas with salt air at Bar Centro; tapas-style small plates (and the Jamon y Queso Bar) at Rojo y Blanco; and cakes, bonbons and confections from the Patisserie. 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 246-5555, slshotels.com.

More downtown: Blu L.A. Cafe has opened in the Pacific Electric Building (next to the forthcoming Cole's), serving breakfast, lunch and dinner (and pastries from Susina bakery) daily. 126 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, (213) 488-2088, blu.la. And Wurstküche Restaurant plans to serve up grilled sausages (Monday to Saturday) starting tomorrow. 800 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (213) 687-4444, wurstkucherestaurant.com. 

— Betty Hallock

Photo: Pine nut terrine Credit: XIV restaurant

Comments

[Eating Out Vegan Menu]

I'm glad to see that more restaurants are recognizing the demand for vegan menu choices!