If you recall, a while back, I wrote about dining at Scarpetta in Vegas, located at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.  Another restaurant in the same hotel is China Poblano, which features Chinese-Mexican fusion.  This unusual version of fusion is only the second of its kind I’ve been to – the other one was Sidedoor in Ottawa, which we wrote about a few months ago.  Like Sidedoor, the menu boasts Mexican tacos as well as East Asian dumplings, but China Poblano’s choices are a bit more “old school” – a little less “experimental” so to speak.

Wild mushroom and guacamole tacos

At the dinner, we ordered a mix of dishes including setas, a wild mushroom and guacamole taco (definitely order this one – you won’t regret it.  Another taco to try is the barbacoas de res, Oaxacan – style barbeque beef/guajillo chile/pickled cactus paddle), beef siu mai (the smaller kind – ones that you don’t see too often in Toronto restaurants for some reason) as well as the Beijing glass noodles – with shredded carrots, jicama, sprouts and avocado, this is ultimate fusion and something you should definitely try.  Other choices, such as spring rolls, could have been better.  In fact, I thought the spring rolls came out of a frozen food box.

Beijing glass noodles

Decor-wise, the restaurant was fairly dark and seating, which was backless, was casual and giving it a little bit of a street dining vibe.  However, without being outside, one really has to use his or her imagination to feel that way.  There was definitely no fiesta going on at China Poblano.  At the same time, I would not dismiss the restaurant, as the food is definitely worth the shot.

Beef siu mai

China Poblano is open daily for lunch and dinner.  Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant or online, either from the restaurant’s website or through Open Table.