Wicked Spoon - Top Rated Buffets In The Strip!!! - Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A.

 

Located at the Cosmopolitan, the Wicked Spoon is considered one of the top rated buffets in Las Vegas. This restaurant is renowned for its high-end, innovative take on the traditional Las Vegas buffet, offering gourmet, small-plate portions rather than standard large trays. It is famous for its extensive brunch menu, featuring standout items like snow crab legs, bone marrow, and a whole variety of desserts.

Hours Of Operation:

Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Pricing:

Weekdays (Mon-Thu) are $49.99 while weekends (Fri-Sun) are $54.99

The restaurant is primarily known for its small-plate presentation, which reimagines the traditional high-volume buffet as an elevated, "market dining" experience. Instead of large communal trays, many dishes are served in individual portions, such as tiny baskets, pots, and mini-fryer pans, allowing diners to sample a wider variety of gourmet items.

Here are some pics of the food stations (watch the YouTube video above to see the full experience):

Key Highlights & Tips for Visiting:

• Signature Dishes: The buffet is famous for its bone marrow (served with short rib), Wicked Fried Chicken (often served in mini-baskets), and crab legs.
• Renowned Brunch: It is considered one of the best brunch spots on the Strip, featuring unique items like Cajun shrimp and grits, peach cobbler French toast, and a customizable omelet station.
• "Dessert Island": The dessert section is a major draw, known for its extensive gelato bar with unique flavors, chocolate-covered strawberries, and petite pastries like tiramisu and molten lava cakes.
• Atmosphere & Value: It offers a trendy, modern aesthetic with high ceilings and avant-garde decor that feels more like a standalone restaurant than a typical hotel buffet. It is often cited as a better value than ultra-premium buffets like Bacchanal while still maintaining high quality.
• Reservations: Highly recommended, especially for weekend brunch, as wait times for walk-ins can often exceed two hours.
• Pricing: Expect to pay between $47 and $54 per adult for brunch/lunch, depending on the day. Bottomless beverage packages (including mimosas) are typically available for an additional fee.
• Location: It is located on the second floor of the Chelsea Tower within The Cosmopolitan.
• Discount Opportunities: MGM Rewards Gold members or higher may have access to 2-for-1 offers

Wicked Spoon Buffet

The Chelsea Tower, 3708 S Las Vegas Blvd Level 2, Las Vegas, NV 89109

https://cosmopolitanlasvegas.mgmresorts.com/en/restaurants/wicked-spoon.html

My Rating:

Food/Taste:  8/10 (good quality and variety is overwhelming)

Ambiance:  9/10 (nice & classy interiors, one of the best I've been so far)

Cleanliness:  8/10 (very clean)

Service: 8/10 (very good service)

Establishment:  8/10 (located inside The Cosmopolitan)

Price:  7/10 (pricey but somewhat worth based on quality and taste)

Overall: 8/10 

Frequency Meter:  I would dine here twice a year

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Jaleo by José Andrés - Authentic Spanish Tapas & Wood Fired Paella Grill - Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A.

 

Conveniently located on the third floor of The Cosmopolitan sets out to showcase the diversity Spanish cuisine on a lively menu revolving, for the most part, around modern tapas. Culinary mastermind José Andrés and his team bring the authentic flavor of a Spanish tapas restaurant to Las Vegas with the award-winning Jaleo restaurant, re-imagined to evoke the excitement and spectacle of Las Vegas. Along with signature tapas, the savory paellas, superb sangria, and a wide selection of the finest Spanish cheeses, wines, and sherries ensure that you’ll always find something wholly unique and exciting.

 At Jaleo, plates are designed to be shared. But these are not just any small plates. They’re the best authentically Spanish and local ingredients, simply prepared, and enjoyed with good friends and conversation.

Here is their menu:

I am very excited to try a variety of the menu items as this is my first time at an authentic Spanish Tapas restaurant.  As much as I want to order everything on the menu, it would be very difficult to eat all of it and I just ordered what I feel stood out.  Here is what we ordered:

 Jamón Ibérico de Bellota With Royal Osetra Caviar

Patatas Bravas

Calamares a la Romana

Mini Pepito de Ibérico

Gambas al Ajillo

Carne a la Navarra

Arroz de Pollo Y Setas

Here are the opening hours:

Monday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Tuesday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Wednesday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Thursday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Friday, 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Saturday, 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Sunday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Aside from the regular dining, here are some of the unique experiences here in Jaleo:

• José’s Way Tasting Menu: A curated experience of the chef’s favorite tapas, often recommended for first-time visitors.
• Flamenco Monday: Every Monday night, the restaurant hosts live Spanish guitar and fiery dance performances, turning dinner into a full "Spanish fiesta".
• é by José Andrés: Tucked inside Jaleo is a "secret," intimate nine-seat restaurant offering an exclusive multi-course tasting menu that requires separate, advanced reservations.
• Sangria Hour: A daily happy hour from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the bar, featuring specials on sangria and select tapas.

This restaurant is really very popular so it is suggested that you make reservations and book ahead of time. You can make reservations through their website: https://www.jaleo.com/location/las-vegas/

Jaleo by José Andrés

3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

https://www.jaleo.com/location/las-vegas/

My Rating:

Food/Taste:  9/10 (food is very good, highly recommended)

Ambiance:  7/10 (average restaurant but with a wood fire grill centerpiece)

Cleanliness:  7/10 (fairly clean)

Service: 8/10 (very good service)

Establishment:  8/10 (conveniently located inside the Cosmopolitan)

Price:  7/10 (a bit on the high side with food on smaller servings)

Overall: 7.7/10 

Frequency Meter:  I would dine here twice a year

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Galpao Gaucho - Top Rated Brazilian Steakhouse!!! - Las Vegas NV, U.S.A.

 

Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse in Las Vegas is primarily known for its authentic rodizio-style dining experience, featuring an unlimited selection of 18 premium cuts of meat carved tableside and a massive 45-item gourmet salad bar. Located on the Strip at the Fashion Show Las Vegas mall, it is highly rated for its attentive service and upscale atmosphere. 

Prices & Operation Hours:

Lunch Monday to Friday

Salad Bar and Hot Sides

$44.00

Full Experience

includes unlimited 18 selections from the grill, salad bar and sides

$57.00

Dinner and Weekends

Salad Bar and Hot Sides

$44.00

Full Experience

includes unlimited 18 selections from the grill, salad bar and sides

$77.00

Children 7-11 50% off meal price

Ages 4-6 $6.00

Children 3 and under are complimentary

$35.00 corkage fee per 750ml. For each bottle purchased from our wine list, we will waive one corkage charge.

Opens daily at 11:30 AM (Monday-Friday) or 12:00 PM (Saturday-Sunday) and serves until 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM.

*Hours of operation and pricing may vary on holidays and special dates.

Galpao Gaucho chefs bring large skewers of meat directly to your table, carving selections like the signature Picanha (prime sirloin), ribeye, lamb, and chicken wrapped in bacon until you signal them to stop with a double-sided card.

They also have a Gourmet Salad Bar that includes over 45 items such as imported cheeses, cured meats, hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, and fresh fruit. Also available are sides like garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized bananas, and traditional rice and black beans.

The restaurant offers an elegant and sophisticated environment that combines modern design with warm hospitality, making it popular for special occasions and business dinners. Beyond the main dining room, there is a lively bar area serving signature cocktails—including the official Brazilian Caipirinha—and shareable small plates during happy hour.  The venue is well-equipped for events, featuring two private rooms that can accommodate up to 30 and 70 guests respectively.  Reservations are highly recommended for both lunch and dinner, especially on weekends when the restaurant can be busy. Bookings can be made through the Galpão Gaucho official website. 

Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse

3200 S Las Vegas Blvd #1260, Las Vegas, NV 89109

https://galpaogauchousa.com/location/las-vegas-nv/

My Rating:

Food/Taste:  9/10 (awesome food, you can request on the doneness of your meats)

Ambiance:  8/10 (very classy and elegant atmostphere)

Cleanliness:  9/10 (very clean)

Service: 9/10 (very good service)

Establishment:  7/10 (conveniently located inside the Fashion Mall)

Price:  7/10 (a bit on the high side compared to other similar restaurants)

Overall: 8.2/10 

Frequency Meter:  I would dine here twice a year

For more travel and food blogs, please visit:  http://haringlarga.blogspot.com/p/home.html