Dinner at Julian Serrano las Vegas
Posted on Nov 07, 2011 under Archives | No CommentJulian Serrano at Aria offers classic Spanish fare including tapas, paella and fresh seafood. Located just off Aria’s lobby, the bright open restaurant showcases Madrid born (and Bellagio’s Picasso) chef Julian Serrano’s many (over 50) delicious small plates.
I visited for lunch while staying at Aria. I sampled many delicious small plates – below are pictures of my tasting menu.
I started with a golden and red beet salad with frisee, citrus slices, beet syrup and dehydrated orange.
Next came a duo of two of the restaurant’s signature “new tapas,” a tuna-raspberry skewer with ahi tuna, molecular raspberry, wasabi and sesame seeds and a lobster pineapple skewer with lobster tail, molecular pineapple and sesame oil.
Next came my favorite course, a warm plate of crispy Spanish chicken croquetas, golden on the outside with chicken and a creamy bechamel sauce on the inside. These were both delicious and satisfying.
Next was a perfectly cooked buttery seared scallop with romesco sauce.
One of Serrano’s specialties is their lobster gazpacho, served chilled with big pieces of lobster.
A tasty beef and cheese dish followed featuring prime tenderloin topped with melted cheese, pecans and honey.
My last course was the star of the lunch, Serrano’s signature Paella. The restaurant serves four variations on the classic dish. I had the mixed version, with lobster, mussels, chicken, chorizo, vegetables and saffron rice. This dish is huge. It was so tasty that I took the leftovers with me on the plane home.
I highly recommend stopping by Julian Serrano for tapas or to sample some of the eateries larger plates. Located in the casino level at Aria Resort, 3730 South Las Vegas Boulevard, reservations recommended at www.smartervegas.com.