Iconic Vegas Chef Julian Serrano Closes His Aria Restaurant in February
Julian Serrano Tapas. | MGM Resorts International Months after closing his landmark Picasso, the storied chef closes his Aria tapas restaurant Last year, renowned chef Julian Serrano announced his upcoming retirement, which would entail closing his lauded Picasso and stepping away from his waterside Lago, both at Bellagio. On Thursday, January 2, MGM Resorts International confirmed that Serrano will close his other Las Vegas Strip restaurant, Julian Serrano Tapas, at Aria Resort and Casino on February 1. Since opening in December 2009, the tapas spot has served heaping bowls of paella and small plates of Spanish food like savory white anchovy fillets and “pata negra” pintxos with caramelized onions. Charcuterie boards are laden with cheese and delicate slices of Ibérico ham. Tangy whitefish and scallop ceviche is bright and tangy in a prickly pear vinegar. And Valencian paella with chicken and chorizo is just right with a pitcher of red wine and Muscat sangria for the table. The vibe of Julian Serrano Tapas is bright and open, with a bar ushering in visitors from the casino floor. The dining room, accented in shades of orange and with tree-shaped sculptures, faces an open kitchen where shellfish simmers over paella for nearly an hour before serving. In August 2024, Serrano closed his landmark Picasso restaurant and said he was stepping away from his Italian restaurant, Lago by Julian Serrano. At the time, the chef had expressed plans to remain at the helm of Julian Serrano Tapas. The closure marks the end of an era as one of the stewards of fine dining makes his exit from the Las Vegas Strip. The venue will transition into a new restaurant that MGM Resorts anticipates will open by late 2025.
Tomas Kauer - Las Vegas Syndicated News 
Months after closing his landmark Picasso, the storied chef closes his Aria tapas restaurant
Last year, renowned chef Julian Serrano announced his upcoming retirement, which would entail closing his lauded Picasso and stepping away from his waterside Lago, both at Bellagio. On Thursday, January 2, MGM Resorts International confirmed that Serrano will close his other Las Vegas Strip restaurant, Julian Serrano Tapas, at Aria Resort and Casino on February 1.
Since opening in December 2009, the tapas spot has served heaping bowls of paella and small plates of Spanish food like savory white anchovy fillets and “pata negra” pintxos with caramelized onions. Charcuterie boards are laden with cheese and delicate slices of Ibérico ham. Tangy whitefish and scallop ceviche is bright and tangy in a prickly pear vinegar. And Valencian paella with chicken and chorizo is just right with a pitcher of red wine and Muscat sangria for the table.
The vibe of Julian Serrano Tapas is bright and open, with a bar ushering in visitors from the casino floor. The dining room, accented in shades of orange and with tree-shaped sculptures, faces an open kitchen where shellfish simmers over paella for nearly an hour before serving.
In August 2024, Serrano closed his landmark Picasso restaurant and said he was stepping away from his Italian restaurant, Lago by Julian Serrano. At the time, the chef had expressed plans to remain at the helm of Julian Serrano Tapas. The closure marks the end of an era as one of the stewards of fine dining makes his exit from the Las Vegas Strip. The venue will transition into a new restaurant that MGM Resorts anticipates will open by late 2025.
