What do you call the meal gap between lunch and dinner? Jaleo by José Andrés is calling it la merienda. It’s a light snack mainly practiced in the south of Europe, and some other places as well, but in this instance the focus is Spain.
Jaleo by José Andrés’ new pre-show menu is the snack to have between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. (served only at their bar and lounge area) and the experience and food genuinely makes you feel home. This ingenious new menu is the second pioneering move from Andrés. He was one of the first, if not the first, to introduce tapas in the United States.
The restaurant is located inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and it’s one the places you want to be at before any of their featured shows start. Aside from ordering the fried Marcona almonds tossed in sea salt, Almendras Marconas, served expeditiously, begins with the banderillas “Gilda” tapa. These Gildas are green olives enwrapped with the delicious anchovies ever tasted and pickled guindilla peppers.
Photo Credit: Jaleo by Jose Andres
The tiny Bombas of mashed potato fritters with goat cheese and Catalan pork sausage center is a build of succulent flavors. José’s Tuna Salad Flauta is made with preserved tuna, mayonnaise you can eat with a spoon, shallots, and hard boiled egg in between two narrow savory auta slices of bread.
Don’t leave without trying their Spanish sandwiches. The Pringa is served with Spanish-style pork with coleslaw on a brioche bun. The Pollo Frito sandwich is fried chicken thighs in brava sauce and aioli on a brioche bun. Last but not least is the Pancetta served with pork belly, apples, and mustard on a brioche bun.
What’s also terrific are their flights for only $20 like their Sherry flight, which includes manzanilla papirusa, los arcos amontillado, and don nuno oloroso wines. They’re a mix of light and clean, fresh, tangy, toasty and salty, copper tinted, and in caramelized flavors.
