Julian Serrano @ the Aria, Las Vegas

Las Vegas. The lesser-known, trashier, and stripper-ridden "city of lights". A city where all that is gaudy and flashy and hideous unites with beautiful architecture and design. You could really get lost in a city like this. Growing up, all I truly knew about Las Vegas was how many stuffed critters my father would bring home from his expeditions. They would line up against the walls of my room gathering dust. My sister always got the largest teddy bears of course, but I had my share of pink-ribboned cats and sky-blue coated rabbits with big plastic eyes and curious ears. I remember how often our family would frequent Las Vegas. Our hotel of choice was Harrahs', and later on, Treasure Island. The car rides were inexplicably long, however, it seemed all worth it once we arrived, because it was hotel buffet after the next, sometimes twice a day, and most times everyday of our stay. I blame these excursions for my present eating habits and for the jiggly flabs I still deal with today. Now, when I think of Las Vegas, it's just a brief car ride away from amazing shows, shop-til-you-literally-drop stores, relaxing spas, and 5 star restaurants. Okay, what is simply not to love? I don't know, but my advice to you is never to stay here for too long, the lifestyle might suck you in, and before you know it's you're ____ who knows whose ____ for you-know-what.

Right?

Anyway, this last excursion to sin city was suggested by Victor "I really like to go clubbing" Chun a few weeks before the quarter was to come to an end, and surprisingly had a very hodge-podge collection of followers. I never thought that I would be part of this following since I was initially EXEMPT from the invites, and in fact, was debating up until the last hour before we left if I really wanted to go. Well, clearly, you could guess my decision. But I don't regret it. Despite Victor's interesting taste in road-trip soundtrack and the collection of over & under 21-ers, it was a good time.

We only had technically a day and 2 nights to entertain ourselves, and of those 2 nights, one was going to be taken up by a performance of the Lion King, so, there was little time to dilly-dally about. Chicco, Brittney, and I schemed to explore the many foodie delights we knew were calling to us. After the first night, while Sherry and I were slowly draining away at 5 am watching Spongebob, she dozed off and I giddily circled restaurants listed in the magazine left in our room. Of these, Thomas Keller's Las Vegas' version of Bouchon, Mon Ami Gabi outside the Paris Hotel, David Burke, Michael Mina's many creations, Wolfgang Puck, Pinotsd=fspfpejrljldfapjsdajsdajsdljalsjdasd;KL! Chicco had the final say, and it was Julian Serrano's self-titled tapas restaurant.

It was quite a production to finally arrive there due to geographical and logistical complications, but let's just say we're hoping they slack off on their lunch service and pick it up for dinner. It seemed to me that they had grabbed a couple of Spanish-looking bystanders and told them to temporarily serve for an afternoon... an afternoon that we happened to dine there, but nonetheless. The decor was modern, vibrant, and fun. I enjoyed myself thoroughly.

Oh, did I mention the food was delicious?
The food was delicious.

Red wine pitcher of Sangria.
Shared (almost) all around.

Pan Manchego

Toasted bread, fresh tomato sauce, year-old Manchego cheese
Better than Bazaars' version :)

White ceviche
corvina fish, red onion, jalapeno, lemon juice, cilantro
Light, delicious.

Pintxo of chorizos
mini chorizo, garlic mashed potatoes

Striped Bass
Donostiarra sauce, tomato confit

Salmon Roulade
House cured salmon, rocoto pepper, tartare
Twist on a sushi roll. There was stringy seawood in the roulade as well. It was a mixture of light and creamy, and I'm a sucker for avocado, so this hit home for me.

Mediterranean Stew in Deconstruction
Prawns, Bronzini, Sofrito

Lobster-pineapple skewer
Lobster tail, "molecular" pineapple, sesame oil

Seared Scallops
Crunchy romesco sauce

Tuna-raspberry Skewer
Ahi tuna, "molecular" raspberry, wasabi
I'm crazy about this one. So good. The molecular raspberry tasted like beets, but it's only now that I realize what it actually was. Perfect complementary flavors. MMMM!

Flat calamari
Lemon, extra-virgin olive oil, caramelized onions
Serrano actually puts "EVOO" on the menu. I wonder if those who did not grow up watching Rachael Ray scratch their heads in bewilderment. I've actually seen recently that others on the food network (Michael Chiarello, is one) have begun using the popular acronym as well.

THE FEAST.

Salmon with truffle
Truffle béchamel, portabello mushroom
This was by far the best-tasting and ugliest-looking dish of the day. There was at first a bit of confusion as to what it was, because there were about 3 salmon plates ordered and they came in such a flurry of picture-taking, across-the-table grabbing, munching, and plate-moving, that actually what each plate was, was questionable. UNTIL I PUT A MORSEL IN MY MOUTH. I could taste truffle a mile away. The béchamel was perfection. At the end of the meal, Chicco and I looked at each other, tempted to order another, but we settled for our $40/each bill. Satisfied. :)


For dessert?
None other than Jean Phillipe's pâtisserie, newly located in the Aria casino & hotel.