The world-renowned chef behind the José Andrés Group is getting ready to make his Arizona debut with Bar Mar at VAI Resort in Glendale.
Previously, What Now Phoenix reported on VAI Resort, Arizona’s largest hotel and resort, opening at 9601 Cardinals Way with 12 dining concepts, but few details followed. Now, we know at least one concept coming to the hotel, and it’s a big one. José Andrés and his well-known restaurant group will introduce Bar Mar, offering brilliant renditions of iconic seafood dishes that truly celebrate the bounty of the sea. VAI Resort will open in phases, starting in late 2025, with Bar Mar anticipated to open the following year.
“We are thrilled to welcome the José Andrés Group to VAI Resort,” Ryan Littman, Vice President of Food and Beverage for VAI Resort, said in a news release. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of creating an iconic resort destination that offers diverse and exceptional experiences. José Andrés Group’s reputation for culinary excellence and his commitment to community and philanthropy make this collaboration truly special.”
The first José Andrés Group restaurant in Arizona will feature brilliant renditions of iconic seafood classics: fresh oysters piled on mounds of sparkling ice, ceviches that taste of the ocean, and Chef José Andrés’ artful interpretations of timeless seafood favorites like fried calamari and lobster rolls, according to the resort’s website. Located in The Villas at VAI Resort, Bar Mar is a true celebration of the bounty of the sea, with modern takes on classics you know and love, festive cocktails, and a bright, beautiful space that interweaves the nautical with the elegant.
“We’re thrilled to open Bar Mar, our first restaurant in Arizona, in this new epicenter for entertainment,” Sam Bakhshandehpour, CEO of José Andrés Group, said in a news release. “From musical performances to culinary experiences, discovery is a key element of what makes VAI Resort such an exciting, new destination.”
