Jose andres | Chicken Pot Spy

È by Jose Andres: Take Me Jesus! (Las Vegas, NV)

I think I’m ready to die now. Oh crap, that sounded harsh. Wait, don’t go! Let me explain. A few months ago I got some tickets in the mail. They weren’t concert ticket or show tickets. No, these were golden tickets. My golden tickets were not like Charlie’s and his freeloading grandfather Joe (whom was unable to get out of bed to help his starving family until a chance at free candy enticed him out of sleeping all day). They did not go to a factory. No, my golden tickets were to a restaurant. Yes, I received restaurant tickets. These golden tickets were the result of what felt like a job application, with numerous confirmation emails back and forth to secure a seat. Three nights a week, È invites eight people for an eatin’ experience not to be matched. Master chefs create amazing innovative dishes right in front of you, while you’re encouraged to take pictures and ask questions. When I finally got my seat at a “showing”, as they call it, the result can best be described as my tastebuds going on a euphoric acid trip. I didnt have a meal at È, I had an experience.

Everything about the set up of È is made to enhance your experience. The place is located in the back of a restaurant in The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Vegas. This hotel is probably my favorite, clean and ritzy without starting to look cheesy (like caesars). An upper floor of the hotel is dedicated to restaurants, this is where Jaleo sits. Jaleo is a Spanish fusion joint owned by Jose Andres. If you watch food network or travel channel, you’ve probably seen him, he’s really happy and excited all the time and loves joking around. His playfulness was clear from the design of Jaleo, with a white, black, and red color scheme with little accent elements like a front gate with words scribbled on and a floor with little shrimps on it. È is through a tiny back door of Jaleo. When we first arrived, we were well greeted by the hostess and introduced to Patrick and Alphius, who were sort of in charge of running È. As you would assume, they were both extremely courteous, and presented us with an iPad to make our drink selections. I didn’t plan on getting booze, I wanted to focus on the food, but they said it would be a minute to set up, so I ordered a “Jaleo Bramble”. This was a mix of wine, vodka, cucumber water and berry purée. Delicious. While drinking that, I saw a drink that was a combination of beer and rosemary lemonade. This was fantastically refreshing. I remarked that I will be adding rosemary lemonade to all my beverages as we were ushered into the back room.

This smaller room was about 12 feet square, with the walls covered in small cabinet doors that looked like those old library card drawers (we were told these represented Jose’s recipes). In the middle of the room was a half circle table with one side where we sit and the flat side where a chef was standing. He greeted us as we arrived and told us that we will be described what the dishes are as they are served. Meanwhile, Patrick and Alphius snuck about behind us refilling my lemonade booze and clearing plates. The chef in the middle then knocked on a side door, and out came three more chefs, all who were to prepare the meal in front of us.

The meal that followed was unbelievable. Most of these ingredients are things I’ve eaten before, but never like this. The tastes were that of sensations my tastebuds had never experienced before. Some of these dishes seemed simple enough, like a mushroom soup. The flavor however, was so tasty, it made me feel like I’ve been cheated by every mushroom dish I’ve had previously. Eating these dishes with common ingredients felt like finding out your next door neighbor is a rock star. You think, “really? That guy? I see that guy every day, I had no idea he was so awesome”.

Of course, some of the dishes featured things I had never once heard of, but I approvingly shook my head when it was presented to me. I didn’t want to look out of my depths, although I certainly felt that way. The people seated with Chicken Pot Hen and I looked like total big shots. All the guys looked like business men, and the ladies looked exceptionally classy. The lady next to me was clearly rich, she was using a Leica camera, and taking horrible photos. I was of course wearing my wu tang clan t-shirt, but classed it up with a blazer (Alphius later said it was the best clothing choice ever seen at È). I didn’t talk to anyone else there, but they struck me as moneybags who just wanted something fun to do for the evening. I assure you no one took this eating as seriously as me and Chicken Hen. In fact, it was probably the most pleased I’ve ever seen Hen, which does not bode well for ol’ Chicken Spy.

Here’s the gut punch, the set meal costs $125 a person, not including booze, which is pricey too. Is that a lot? Sure it is. But the way I see it, I am a fan of food. These chefs and these restaurants are like sports stars and their stadiums. I spend $125 for dinner, I’m crazy; someone pays $125 for a ticket to watch some footyballs or shootyhoops, they are sports fans? In the case of È, not only do you get to watch the big game, but you get to chat with the players during it. È is amazing, an experience. If you know you are going to Vegas in the future, have dinner at È, it blows Circ du Solei out of the water. Its the best show in Vegas.

Sorry for my rambling. Let me get to it, and tell you each dish, with pics of course. Unless otherwise noted, they were all fucking amazing.

Gin and Tonic

Spanish “Clavel”

Beet Jewelry

Caramelized Pork Rinds

Apple “Brazo de Gitano”

Nitro Almond Cup

Crispy Chicken Skin in Escabeche

Jose Taco

Olivia Sferica Ferran Adria

Bocata de “Calamares”

Cava Sangria