Spago Elevates Passover Cuisine With Annual Interfaith Seder

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In towns where many people have recently moved, the Passover holiday poses a special dilemma for Jewish residents lacking local family. This is something I can personally relate to. Each year, I find myself pondering (or rather, worrying about) three crucial questions: who will offer us a place to stay, who will conduct the service and read from the scriptures, and who will prepare the meal?

A Passover seder is designed to be an annual tradition marking a significant transition, much like many other religions do, but the menu can be as difficult to navigate as the Hebrew prayers and symbolic actions performed, not to mention the somber narratives of slavery, plagues, and general hardship.

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The Passover seder is a yearly ritual that signifies a major life transition, similar to other religions, but the food choices can be as perplexing as understanding the Hebrew prayers and enacting symbolic actions, not forgetting the melancholic tales of oppression, plagues, and overall struggle.

A simple and unappetizing meal of cold fish balls and dry flatbread isn’t very appealing; however, the idea that there is an upscale, interfaith seder event happening at Spago in Beverly Hills really caught my interest, as it showcases a unique dining experience.

Barbara Lazaroff, the co-founder and proprietor (once married to Wolfgang Puck), will orchestrate, select, and fundraise for an event she describes as a “refined take on the conventional Seder meal.” She further notes, “One might even say your grandmother would be clamoring for these recipes.

Absolutely, I went last year and was thoroughly impressed by not only the quality but also the abundance of the creative, multi-course meal. It had all the flair you’d expect from Spago’s regular menu. The upcoming event in 2025 is scheduled for April 13th.

At the helm of Spago’s kitchen are Executive Chef Ari Rosenson, Chef de Cuisine Areg Avanessian, and Executive Pastry Chef Della Gossett, who have crafted a menu brimming with tantalizing delicacies. This culinary journey begins with their homemade gefilte fish, followed by the comforting flavors of chicken and vegetable matzo ball soup. The main course offers a delectable array: roasted wild Alaskan king salmon, tender braised beef short rib “Flanken,” a vibrant vegetable ratatouille, and succulent roasted Moroccan carrots. For a sweet finale, indulge in matzo toffee, fromage blanc cheesecake, delightful Passover puffs drizzled with caramel sauce, and refreshing sorbet.

This menu promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience that harmoniously blends traditional favorites with innovative twists!

According to Lazaroff, everything is produced internally here, and the most popular item every year is our homemade oven-baked matzah. As a treat for our guests, they receive a packet of it to bring home, together with our scrumptious coconut macaroons.

Simultaneously, the restaurant undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis, turning into a grand-scale event venue with an exquisitely set stage suitable for both musical performances and speeches.

Beyond assembling an assorted group of prominent locals, influential figures from Hollywood, and intriguing individuals, this event aims to aid and assist families struggling in Los Angeles by donating funds through MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds, not just in the United States but also in Israel.

Multiple seatings are offered, starting at 5 p.m. Head over to Seven Rooms for more info.

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2025-04-05 02:24