Your question could hardly have been more timely, since we just this very week learned that Spanish tapas restaurant Marbella, located on Flamingo just west of the Palms, in the spot where Ruth's Chris (R.I.P.) used to be, is starting an ongoing live-entertainment program this very weekend, featuring a flamenco guitarist on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from approx. 7 p.m. (details were still being finalized when we spoke to their helpful marketing person on Monday). While we weren't blown away by the cuisine when this restaurant first opened, it's been awhile since we tried it, so we figure it's only fair to give 'em a second shot and we may well swing by to check out the music this weekend.
That's the only example we're aware of when it comes to Spanish restaurants in Las Vegas that offer live music, particularly of a flamenco flavor, although it's not the only Spanish restaurant in town -- in fact, we went from being very under-served in the Iberian-food department in these environs, to feeling awhile back that we were practially tripping over stuffed dates and plates of batatas bravas.
At the high end of the scale, you have Julian Serrano at Aria, where the food is heavenly -- just don't expect to pay bar-snack prices for it. (It's also one of the few instances in which our three feisty Eating Las Vegas authors agree on something -- namely that the paellas here are the one disappointment on the menu ("not crusty or smoky enough").
Jaleo, José Andrés' Spanish restaurant in Cosmopolitan, is another of the "Essential 50" picks in our restaurant guide and the food is amazing, but it's even pricier than Julian Serrano, so be warned.
Therefore, if you're looking for some authentically priced tapas, you need to check out the 'burbs, where you'll find places like Barcelona (10690 Southern Highlands Pkwy.), a relative newcomer to the dining scene here. The tapas here were good when we tried them, but that was at least a year ago and we've since read some dubious reviews, so we must qualify our recommendation. Plus, when we attempted to call to see if they still offer live music some nights (they used to), we got through to an overstuffed mailbox, so we're not even sure if this joint's still in business (can anyone out there confirm?)
Locally-owned Firefly tapas bar has three venues -- the original on Paradise, plus one on W. Sahara and the newest location in Henderson -- and a mixed reputation. The current writer, who's European, actually likes the food and casual ambience at the Paradise original (great happy hour), and am suprised whenever people slam this place. From my one visit to the location on W. Sahara, however, it felt more like any sports bar and lacked the funky atmos, while I was put off the Anthem venue when I saw it, and its colorful staff, featured on "Restaurant Stakeout" -- oy vey!)
We'll check out the dining -- and live-music -- scene at Marbella and report back.
