Bar Mar by José Andrés

It was a hot day, I had craving for some seafood. Stopped by Bar Mar, the place looked absolutely amazing, as soon as I walked in, I felt like I'm on vacation somewhere tropical. Love the decorations all around. The wait staff was attentive, gave me a good run down on the menu. Everything was tapas sized, ordered cerviche classical, some oysters and a lobster roll. Ceviche was excellent, with a perfect blend of freshness, crunch and combination of flavors. Oysters were good, plump with a hint of sweetness and clean finish. Lobster roll was very different from what I'm used to, I'm a minimalist when it comes to lobster roll, typically just lobster meat with butter is how I like it. This one was a pleasant surprise, while it had more than what I wanted, everything blended well. Also tried a new beer, dovetail, a local beer perfect for a summer day. Overall a great experience, will definitely be back.

Dined here with some friends. It's got a great atmosphere and very professional staff. Hip, modern, and a great view. There's a tasting menu that's $150 per person. My friends wanted that, and I just wanted something from the menu. No can do. The server said either everyone does it, or they won't do it. Considering I was the odd man out, I begrudgingly went along with it so I didn't ruin their expectations. The food was interesting and well presented and explained. Each of the tapas was unique, and enough for one bite. I was maybe 60% full when done, but I guess that's the experience. Food was good quality and beautiful; that's what you pay for.

Dined in for a birthday dinner on a Saturday night - there is valet available. The interior is beautiful! They have a pretty large dining room featuring a nice bar and outside patio seating is available. The staff were kind and service was average. This spot can't really accommodate big parties - you might have to contact them ahead of time because our group of 15 were split between two different tables. We started off with drinks - a dirty martini and floral cloud. The floral cloud comes with a show - they pour a hibiscus infused smoke cloud into your drink. It was sweet but there is very little drink that you get as there is no ice. We got half dozen oysters - mix of east and west coast. These were super disappointing because they were super brine-y and had a bad seafood taste to it. The condiments that came in droppers also seemed like watered down concoctions. The abalone sashimi was good! The iberico pork tasted super salty so we weren't a fan. The hanger steak was great - tender and cooked perfectly but small so don't expect to get full. Our friend got the salmon and it wasn't good at all so definitely skip this. Overall the food was below expectations but the dessert was fantastic. The deconstructed key lime pie was amazing and the sticky date cake was indulging - i wish there was a bigger scoop of ice cream though! I probably won't recommend this spot - i feel like there are better spots in the city and more worth the money.

It's a very pretty spot with a lot going on all around. Great service and a lot of unique options on the menu.

Cocktails and ambiance were 10/10 !! However, I was disappointed by the menu and food. The octopus dish was decent, but definitely had some fishy bites. Definitely a good spot for after work drinks and apps :)

Bar Mar orchestrates a truly magnificent celebration of the ocean's bounty. Stepping into its luminous embrace, one is immediately struck by the interplay of nautical motifs and elegant design, creating a breathtaking atmosphere.My culinary journey began with the lobster croquetas ($16 for 5 pieces). These delightful morsels, a symphony of lobster and shrimp béchamel encased in a crisp exterior, proved to be the perfect introduction. The filling was a revelation - molten and creamy within, yielding to a satisfyingly crunchy shell.Next, I embarked on a quest for the freshest poke bowl in existence, and Bar Mar delivered triumphantly. The poke bowl ($26) featured a vibrant ensemble of tuna, salmon, and hamachi, each glistening with an almost ethereal freshness. The melt-in-your-mouth quality of the fish was further enhanced by the vibrant interplay of avocado and rice, with a touch of seaweed adding a delightful textural contrast. Each bite was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to the highest quality ingredients.Continuing my exploration, I ventured towards the octopus lunch ($18). Cooked to absolute perfection, the octopus was both meaty and firm, boasting a depth of flavor that truly impressed. It was accompanied by a chorus of supporting players: papas canarias (wrinkled potatoes), alioli (garlic mayonnaise), and pimentón (Spanish paprika), each adding its own unique note to the overall harmony.While the sticky toffee pudding ($12) featuring warm date cake, toffee sauce, and vanilla ice cream offered a pleasant conclusion, it did not quite reach the same heights as the preceding courses.In conclusion, Bar Mar offers an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant's dedication to the freshest seafood, coupled with its stunning ambiance, creates a symphony for the senses. While the dessert may not have quite stolen the show, the overall performance is undeniably impressive.

Went for a pre-birthday dinner and got JOSÉ'S FAVORITES. Definitely worth the price for a special occasion or when just want to try a bit of everything. The caviar, salmon, main fish and lobster croquettes were the favorites of this very good meal. Definitely get the margarita. It is not your average margarita and one you'll never forget.

Bar Mar was top tier. The ambience, the food and the service. We started with extra dirty martinis, ceviche oysters and neptunes pillows. These 2 unique dishes were by far the favorite, followed by the mussels, caviar cones, hamachi cones, and a lobster roll. Highly recommend any Jose Andres restaurant.

What a beautiful place with the highest ceilings and such a unique atmosphere with a squid hanging from the sky. The meat based (Bazaar Meat) sister restaurant is upstairs and the bathrooms are on the lower level. The building (Bank of America) this place is housed inside of is massive and cost more than 750 million according to Andy the Ox, the expert of eating and traveling. It's modern and lots of glass to see all around. Romantic for dates if you are ok with a tiny 2.5" hamachi cone with 0.75" in diameter for $8. The mood is relaxing and the music is not loud. The food is creative like hibiscus passion fruit oysters on a bed of seaweed and ice. The salmon dinner at $28 was really perfectly done and evenly done with the fillet being very soft and buttery. The flan was fresh, smooth, not too sweet, melted in your mouth, and it was like a moat in real passion fruit based syrup with seeds on top of the fresh whipped cream. Wait staff are excellent and attentive and knowledgeable. This is an area with no free parking so either Uber or Lyft or CTA or walk here. If you want a fancy romantic dining experience (even if a bit pricey) without being required to dress fancy (some guys wore casual shorts and one couple brought a brand new baby) this is your place.

Great food and drinks. Adrian made sure we had the best dinner ever. Neptunes pillows are not to be slept on.