Julian Serrano Tapas

LVA Review

This restaurant was reviewed in the May 2010 LVA, some of the information contained in this review may no longer be accurate. Julian Serrano is known for his 5-Everything Picasso at Bellagio, but after sampling his new eatery located off the main lobby at Aria, we get the feeling that tapas might be what the Madrid native really wants to do. This is one of those places where you just go with what you have a taste for at the moment. For us it was oysters (three for $10), gambas (shrimp sautéed in garlic and brandy, $12), white ceviche ($10), wrinkle potatoes ($8), and two orders of “special tapas” (Spanish white anchovies and albondigas, $12 each). Nothing but net! Of course, there are 50 more dishes with delectable names (e.g., coco chorizo and apple-manchego salad) to choose from, which makes deciding what to order the toughest part. There’re also some amazing-looking paellas here (an LA Times reviewer called the Valencia—with chicken, rabbit, chorizo, and safron rice—“the most authentic I’ve had in this country”), which go for $40 to $45 apiece. But shuckin’ and jivin’ through a bunch of small plates will bring the bigger culinary payoff. Further to that payoff, sit at the long bar that runs end-to-end across the front of the restaurant. That way you can talk to the waiters, who love to discuss the merits of the various dishes and will definitely steer you in the direction best suited for you. Incredibly, we’d rate this as another of the few dining “deals” at CityCenter. It’s no $14.95 breakfast/lunch buffet at Aria (LVA 2/10), but the line-up described above easily satisfied two of us for about $65 and it’s cheaper yet if you stick with vegetarian or chicken. Hours are daily, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.—go get some!