Chinese New Year takes place Sunday, February 10, but it’s a month-long festivity at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. To celebrate with true culinary indulgence, China Poblano has stepped in with innovative delicacies that match its ‘gourmet street food’ approach to Chinese and Mexican food. Through the end of the month, Celebrity Chef Jose Andres has re-introduced the ‘China’ in China Poblano to inspire visitors toward new cultural tastes.
Bold, hearty flavor meets humble elegance in these new menu additions. Starting off with a curious touch is the Lion’s Head, or meatballs made with pork, jicama and a hint of saffron. The ‘Goose Goose Duck’ adds upscale pizzazz with seared foie gras and blood orange inside a soft bao ‘taco shell.’ The Xinjiang Uyghur lamb chops is as intricate as it sounds, cooked medium rare and lightly seasoned to emphasize natural flavor. Vegetarians will adore the 18 Monk noodles, where hand-pulled wheat noodles, shitake mushrooms and aged soy sauce makes you wander how the dish is meat-free.
Celebrating the holiday in style is the new drink menu, which complements its culinary counterpart beautifully. The mei mei, which means “little sister” across the Pacific, relates to your classic Negroni [gin, vermouth rosso, bitters] with blended scotch and a five-spice syrup for a sweet yet spiky finish. The plum delight mixes rum with plum syrup for distinct flavor and a smooth undertone. Granted, you still can’t go wrong with China Poblano’s classic salt-air margarita, aptly named for its palate-pleasing salty foam on top. Also try the cold tea for two, where green tea, beer and tequila somehow come together for a ‘thirst-quenching’ feel.
China Poblano’s traditional menu remains in full operation and should certainly be taken full advantage of. A trip here is not complete without a Rou Jia Mo street sandwich, where a bite of this braised pork delicacy practically makes time stand still. The ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ is a bit over-hyped, but truly living up to its fame is the 20-vegetable fried rice, which combines just about everything that can photosynthesize into a spectacular dish. Challenge your tastebuds with the taco selection, highlighted by the ‘silencio [duck tongue with lychee fruit]. Additional favorites include the Dan dan Mian, where rich pork sauce melds with thick wheat noodles, and the shrimp mojo, with black garlic and poblano pepper giving the seafood great character.
Guests enjoy this small plate spread amidst a dazzling layout, where walking through the restaurant seems like a global traverse. Just as the menu separates its eastern and western tastes [for the most part], the restaurant’s two live cooking stations project Hispanic and Oriental gastronomic culture on opposite ends. Chefs hand-pull noodles in front of a stadium-style sculpture setup while handmade tortillas come together near a long tequila lineup down across the way. Perfect for small group settings and bachelorette parties alike, everyone will enjoy a festive mood among this restaurant’s spacious layout, hip décor and energetic feel that says ‘be loud. Be yourself.’
China Poblano is located on the second floor of the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, across from Marquee Night Club. Avg. out-the-door price is ~$45-55/person w/o drinks. Call (702) 698-7900 for reservations or find out more at China Poblano online.
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