When celebrity chef Lorena Garcia opened Chica with 50 Eggs Hospitality Group in 2017 at The Venetian, it was the first time a female chef had appeared on the Culinary Titans wall on the resort’s exterior.
It was a proud moment for Garcia as her 20-foot-tall image was unveiled overlooking the Strip, and that pride was something that carried over as she opened the Latin-inspired restaurant on Mother’s Day. Since that opening, Garcia has overseen the opening of two more Chicas, in Miami and in Aspen, and a remodel of the Las Vegas outpost, imbuing it with a more modern, lively design reminiscent of the Miami venue.
Inside Las Vegas’ Chica, that modern design is first apparent in the lounge area, where greenery hangs lushly over the bar top, and a bright mural recalls that Miami vibe. On the farthest wall of the dining area, Chica’s open kitchen, sporting wood-fired grills, a charcoal oven and wood-fired rotisserie, supplies a variety of Latin specialties.
The menus here also got updated when Chica changed the décor, and the new offerings are so impressive. On the dinner menu, cold and hot items include crispy tuna tacos in a ginger-chili sauce; wagyu empanadas, oven-roasted Peruvian octopus and king salmon crudo with passionfruit shoyu. The grill supplies entrées like Cowgirl steak frites, an 18-ounce wagyu cut with truffle yucca fries; grilled sea bass, and a 10-ounce prime skirt steak with black garlic mole. The wood oven sends out such things as a pepita-crusted lamb rack, spit-roasted Peruvian rotisserie chicken and fire-roasted Ora King salmon. For an even more impressive presence on the table, try the anticuchos, a variety of meats served over embers—tenderloin pinchos (skewers), chorizo, chicken and lamb. Signature dishes include “al pastor” baby back ribs, dubbed “The Smoke Show,” and Venezuelan braised short rib. The patatas bravas here are smoky and delicious, with a sprinkling of cotija cheese and roasted street corn capturing the essence of elotes, with chipotle and roasted Fresno chile.
The Flaming Skull
Perhaps the most impressive dessert to appear in the desert is the Flaming Skull. This enormous sugar skull-inspired golden head comes to your table, where blue fire is poured over the top; the skull melts in spectacular style, and what’s left is warm lava cake, horchata ice cream fruit and corn marshmallows (they are so unusual).
Chica is open for weekend brunch and daily lunch as well, and starting the day with avocado toast or an arepa basket is an especially good idea, but bigger appetites may require a Latin-inspired chicken and waffle, or a Cubano sandwich with marinated pork and smoked ham.
On weekends, you can check out Chica Nights, where you find a little slice of Miami nightlife, where live entertainment rounds out your dining experience (9 p.m.-2 a.m.)
And on Mother’s Day, enjoy a special menu, with chorizo-stuffed lobster tail; Chilean sea bass with purple potato purée; and baked meringue for dessert.
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