Mediterranean Cuisine at Its Finest: Milos

By: Bob Gourley
 
Destination restaurants dot the landscape of the dining scene in the valley. Those are the places that are great for special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays and wedding dinners.
    
Milos at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino fits the bill as a destination place, but their prefix lunch menu makes it possible to dine there often without breaking the budget. The emphasis is on gourmet Mediterranean food and not only is it a comfortable place to enjoy a meal, but there is a lot of eye candy while you are waiting.

---

A fresh fish bar is one of the attractions. Seafood flown in from the Mediterranean will definitely get your attention. Suppliers from the Greek Islands, Morocco and Portugal make sure the best quality fish is delivered promptly. Carefully-selected vegetables, legumes, olive oil and fruit are part of the daily preparations.
    
The aforementioned lunch menu is full of the things that make the restaurant special. The three-course feast priced at $29.99 per person starts with an appetizer list that includes a plate of Greek spreads with hummus, tarama, htipiti and raw vegetables.
 
Shetland Island Organic Salmon Tartar is delivered with Fresno chili, shallots and cilantro. The Tomato Salad is made with specially-selected vine-ripened tomatoes that are some of the tastiest you will find anywhere.
 
You can watch the staff prepare it at the raw seafood bar. It is a great show! Grilled Octopus or Fresh Maryland Lump Crab Cake are two other starters that are available for an additional charge.
   
Main course options include Dorade Royale (grilled Mediterranean Sea Bream), Grain-fed Chicken Breast Skewer with grilled mushrooms and pita, Shrimp Saganaki with tomato and feta or for a supplementary charge Colorado Prime Lamb Chop or Nova Scotia Deep Sea Lobster Pasta.
 
Another option is the organic Salmon. A generous portion of fish arrives with Santorini piazzi beans that are al dente and delicious. The fish was prepared perfectly, flaky on the fork plus juicy and tender in the mouth.
  
A trio of desserts ends the experience on a high note. There is ‘real’ Greek yogurt, cake that is served with kaimaki ice cream, or a beautifully-presented plate of fresh fruits. On a recent Sunday visit there were cantaloupe, raspberries and strawberries. Each morsel was ripe and sweet.
    
The regular menu is filled with “Milos Classics” like lightly-fried calamari. Shrimp prawns are grilled and served with endive salad and are meant to be shared. Yes, there is a Greek Salad and this one is enhanced with those great tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and barrel-aged feta cheese.
  
There are oysters, big eye tuna and whole fish sashimi from the Raw Bar plus lamb, ribeye, and filet mignon for meat lovers. Greek fried potatoes accompany them. Fish in Sea Salt is available with a three-pound minimum. They are baked in the oven and served tableside with horta.
     
Side dishes include steamed vegetables and baby beets steamed with Greek yogurt. Chocolate Sin is a signature dessert available at dinner. It is a Milos creation that originated in Athens.
     
Milos is a unique experience that helps to make Las Vegas the exciting destination that it is. Whether you come for lunch or customize your dinner experience, it will linger in your mind for a long time,
    
Milos, Cosmopolitan Hotel, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd., South. (702) 698-7930. www.milos.ca.