When disaster strikes, chef José Andrés is often on the front lines, dishing out meals to people in need. World Central Kitchen, his relief organization founded in 2010, has been the face of humanitarian effort since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in March. To date, its army of chefs and volunteers has distributed more than 20 million meals worldwide.
When restaurants on and off the Strip reopened, chefs had to follow the governor’s mandates of reducing capacity and implementing new sanitation protocols. Ever a pioneer in his field, Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup, the company behind his restaurants, immediately deployed a playbook, which serves as a best practices manual, says Eric Martino, COO of ThinkFoodGroup. “We’ve got a commitment and promise to our guests, as well our team members, to let them know, ‘Here’s what you can expect to experience when you come in,’” he says.
The playbook specifies body temperature checks for team members and the disinfecting of tables, ledges and any customer touch points, Martino says. When guests arrive, they are shown to their table, placed six feet apart from other tables. The table, which has already been disinfected from the previous guest, is wiped down again, along with the chair ledge, chair backs and armrests. Guests are given a QR code so they can look up a digital menu on their smartphone. In addition, they are given disinfecting wipes for their hands before service begins.
“It adds to the extra layer protection that [says], ‘Listen, I care about you, [and] we want you to care about us,” Martino says. “Because it’s obviously a two-way relationship that we have to make sure that we keep everybody safe.”
Las Vegas is, of course, fortunate to be home to three restaurants bearing Andrés’ name. Though each has a different concept, they all share the chef’s flair for culinary innovation. Now that you know what to expect when dining out at these restaurants, check out their new and expanded menus, which debuted during the reopening.
Bazaar Meat
Bagel & Lox Cone at Bazaar Meat
Bazaar Meat’s summer prix-fixe menu is a parade of plated, portioned dishes. The Green Apple “Banh Mi” Sandwich and Bagel & Lox Cone are little hits of flavor that lead you straight to the salted cod and heirloom tomato salad, and the Cecina de León with tomatoes and burrata. The suckling lamb shawarma is the perfect prelude to the meat course prepared over a wood-fired grill, a choice between a grilled wagyu flank steak or Chateaubriand Brandt beef tenderloin, served with Josper-roasted asparagus and the incredibly addictive Patatas Bravas. Save room for dessert—a quaint assortment of cream puffs, tarts and little cakes. $99-$125, Sahara, 702-761-7610.
China Poblano
Upon reopening, the menu options were expanded at the Chinese and Mexican concept, but if you go for the tasting menu, it begins with a table pleaser of chips and chipotle salsa. Do pace yourself because it is followed by siu mai—dumplings filled with shrimp, pork, jicama, mushrooms and peanuts—and cold cucumbers, with pickled wood ear mushrooms and peppers dressed in vinegar and spicy oil. Taco De Carnitas and Shrimp Mojo come next, along with the 20-vegetable fried rice, a showstopper of seasonality. The meal ends with mango sticky rice, a nontraditional presentation with mango granita, rice espuma and a hint of lime. $35, Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7900.
Jaleo
Pan de Cristal at Jaleo
The tasting menu begins with the addictive crunch of Pan de Cristal brushed with fresh tomato and served with Manchego cheese and ends with the creamy softness of flan with Catalan cream espuma and oranges. In between come tapas that showcase Andrés’ deftness with Spanish cuisine, including traditional chicken fritters and a refreshing apple and fennel salad with Manchego cheese and sherry dressing. Mains include a choice of shrimp sauteed with garlic or a grilled hanger steak with confit piquillo peppers. And you can’t go to Jaleo without ordering the paella, because it really wouldn’t be a Spanish meal without it. For a quick hit, check out the new sangria hour Tuesday-Saturday from 5:30-6:30 p.m., featuring specially priced sips and snacks. $55 (+$15 with paella), Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7950.
