Amaya Modern Mexican will officially debut during the first week of January at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, setting a new tempo in the city’s dining scene. Fusing coastal Mexican cuisine with mesmerizing, pulse-elevating entertainment in a captivating setting, Amaya will resonate with the most discerning visitors and locals, who are always the main characters of their evening adventures.
Dinner at Amaya will be an electrifying celebration. DJs will mix a live soundtrack of pulsating beats, while performers and entertainers will enchant and encourage guests to dance in their seats and become one with the beat.
Behind the cuisine is acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Jason McLeod. He spent the last several years immersed in San Diego’s culinary scene, frequently traveling along the coasts of Mexico, absorbing the country’s rich culinary heritage and communal dining traditions. His 30-year career is punctuated by traveling the world and learning from some of the most prestigious chefs in the industry, including Raymond Blanc and Marco Pierre White. In 2009, as the opening executive chef of RIA in Chicago’s 5-Star Elysian Hotel, McLeod led the relatively unknown restaurant to an extraordinary two Michelin stars during its first year.
Dishes include the signature Amaya’s surf & turf, a show-stopping presentation of an 8 oz. Wagyu filet, 14 oz. dry-aged New York steak, and twin lobster tails, accompanied by a trio of salsas and warm tortillas; birria short rib, slow-cooked and served with corn purée, pickled onion and cotija cheese; and whole grilled angry fish, prepared with Thai basil, fermented chiles and garlic butter sauce, served with grilled flour tortillas. Other signature dishes include citrusy ceviche, zesty aguachile, fiery tiradito and lobster enchiladas served in a rich, creamy lobster sauce.
A catador (tequila expert) will oversee a meticulously curated selection of smooth, aged tequilas and complex mezcals, taking guests on an immersive journey through the rich, multi-generational heritage of Jalisco. Amaya’s cocktail menu will be a showcase of bold, creative cocktails and modern twists on classics that push the boundaries of flavor. They include the Mano a Mano, made with Flecha Azul, agave syrup, Scrappy’s Seville Orange bitters and Angostura cocoa bitters; Birds of Paradise, a vibrant fusion of Del Maguey Vida, Pama liqueur, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup; and the Fumar Hay El Fuego, a combination of Producer Mezcal, Fernet, Giffard Vanille de Madagascar and Bittermens’ Xocolatl Mole Bitters.
Designed by Peter Max Bowden and team at Petermax Co., Amaya will welcome guests to an ambiance inspired by the rustic elegance and lush, tree-canopied tropics of the Yucatán Peninsula. The design artfully blends intimate alcoves with social spaces, creating a refined yet evocative setting that transports diners to a sophisticated beachside retreat.
Spanning 7,180 square feet across a dining room, bar and lounge, Amaya will be located on the 2nd floor of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Amaya was created by Clique Hospitality for Gen3 Hospitality, bringing together industry trendsetters to offer Las Vegas a unique and exciting culinary adventure. More information is available at www.amayamexican.com and at @amayamexican on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
