José Andrés’ Jaleo is known for being colorful, wildly creative and deliciously experimental. The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas restaurant might not be known as the home of a terrific deal, but that’s exactly what the Lunch Like a Spaniard midday menu offers.
For $25, you get to choose your own culinary adventure by selecting three courses from different groups of adventurous tapas. Maybe start with classic chilled gazpacho, refreshing apple and fennel salad with Manchego cheese and walnuts, or mixed greens with pine nuts, fried capers, anchovies and romesco-garlic dressing.
Things get serious in round two, where rich chicken croquetas, deep-fried salted cod with honey aioli, and the spicy potato-covered favorite patatas bravas await. Pro tip: Go for the mini pepito de Iberico, a Spanish-style slider that features the legendary Iberico pig in two ways: a juicy mini patty and crisp bacon. It’s a few small, sumptuous bites you’ll never forget.
Hopefully you’ve saved room for the final course, which ranges from garlicky gambas al ajillo to grilled Catalan pork sausage to salmon with pisto Manchego to grilled hanger steak with escabeche.
No matter their size, these dishes explode with big flavors, exactly what you’d expect at a José Andrés restaurant. And since you’ve just taken advantage of one of the best lunch deals on the Strip, maybe you’ll come back for dinner. Jaleo at the Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7950; lunch daily noon-4 p.m.