VEGAS DINING NEWS: Strip De-Serranos, Vegas Chinese Takes Out Competition, Holsteins Moo-ves

Continuing his sad walk into the sunset, chef Julian Serrano will close the last of his Las Vegas Strip eateries six months after his Picasso had its last showing at the Bellagio. Julian Serrano Tapas will serve its final meal at Aria on Feb. 1. Picasso had been open 26 years, Julian Serrano Tapas 15.

Julian Serrano is a two-time winner of the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef Pacific 1998 and Best Chef Southwest 2002. (Image: Robert John Kley)

Serrano’s taperia, which opened in December 2009, served bowls brimming with paella and teeny plates of Spanish delicacies, such as white anchovy fillets.

No word on what new restaurants will replace either, though they are guaranteed not to be inexpensive.

Serrano, 74, announced his retirement in May, when he also stepped away from his involvement at Bellagio’s Lago, though that restaurant remains open.

“The culinary excellence and influence Chef Serrano brought to Aria for the past 15 years is a testament to his talent and unwavering work ethic,” Ayesha Molino, Aria’s President and COO, said in the release. “He consistently led the restaurant and chef teams with professionalism, offering mentorship to all who worked alongside him, pushing each individual to deliver world-class hospitality to our guests.

“His contributions are sincerely appreciated, and we wish him and his family joy and good fortune in the future and beyond.”

Wok of Fame

China Mama opened its fifth Las Vegas location, at Palace Station, last month. (Image: Palace Station)

Las Vegas placed six winners in Yelp’s first list of “Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in America.” That’s second only to New York City with 9 winners. However, the big Apple has more than 3,000 Chinese restaurants to Las Vegas’ approximately 200.

China Mama ranked No. 8 in the nation. It opened its fifth location in town, at Palace Station, on Dec. 6. Next came Shàng Artisan Noodle on W. Flamingo at No. 15, followed by Magic Noodle (No. 19), Yun Noodle Dumplings (No. 25), 2022 James Beard semifinalist Big Dan Shanxi Taste, (No. 61), and Noodlehead (#67). Yelp recognized Maxi’s Noodle of Queens, New York as No. 1 in the US.

To qualify, other than being really good, the restaurants were required to:

1) not be a national chain (Sorry, Din Tai Fung!) and
2) have a passing health score (see the part about being really good above)

Dining Ins Outs

Holsteins Shakes Buns, which closed after 15 years at the Cosmopolitan in July 2024, will reopen this spring in the Arts District downtown. For updates, follow @HolsteinsLV on Instagram or Facebook.

Paperwork has been submitted to Clark County for a new restaurant or food station called Sinfull Sweets (sic) at T-Mobile Arena, according to What Now Vegas. So far, no one knows what it is.

International Smoke at the MGM Grand will close on Jan. 19. It was opened by Ayesha Curry and chef Michael Mina in 2019.