Review: CHICA at The Venetian in Las Vegas for Delicious Latin Fusion Cuisine in a Modern and Relaxing Venue

For dining on the Las Vegas Strip, Chica at The Venetian is a definite standout. This modern and casually elegant restaurant offers delicious Latin Fusion cuisine, a fantastic beverage program along with wonderful service. The venue is attractive and relaxing, just what you need to refresh and recharge when you're having a busy day in the city. Stop by for an artisanal cocktail, beer, wine, spirits, and tapas or plan to visit for a full meal. Chica serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunches. The restaurant is by John Kunkel, owner and founder of 50 Eggs Inc.

Celebrity Chef, Lorena Garcia, the first female Latina chef on the Las Vegas Strip, has created a selection of tantalizing gourmet items with dynamic touches that you won't find anywhere else. There are influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, among many more. Traditional dishes are given new and inviting twists. Offerings include appetizers that are ideal for table shares along with an array of tempting entrees, sides and desserts. We like that there are choices to suit a wide variety of tastes and all dietary preferences. As you peruse the menu, don't hesitate to ask your server questions to best plan your Chica experience.

We had reservations early on a Monday evening and started our dining adventure with two of the house sangrias. Manzana is a bright apple sangria with housemade apple brandy, fresh apple, lime, pineapple and white wine finished with basil and shaved strawberry. The Sangria Zarzamora is Chica's blackberry sangria made with red wine, fresh lemon, blackberry, raspberry, fresh cara cara oranges, and Bacardi 8 Rum finished with orange bitters. Cocktail aficionados have found a home with selections like "Some Like it Hot," a spin on a margarita made with Espolon Reposado tequila, fresh lime juice and papaya jam with scotch bonnet peppers or their "Rhum New Fashioned" with Rhum Clément Select Barrel and Mexican Coke reduction with aromatic and orange bitters.

Chica's Ceviche Bar is the spot for those who want to indulge in the freshest seafood, marinated to perfection. We enjoyed the Classic Ceviche with Hamachi, Peruvian corn, confit sweet potato, red onions, and cilantro in leche de tigre. Other appetizers include the best Empanadas you'll ever have with a light, housemade pastry dough stuffed with braised ground beef, sweet plantains, black beans, queso fresco, and spicy guasacaca pico. The Chicken Chicharrones are so tasty. The crispy, spiced chicken bites are smothered in mojo onions with a chile-lime crema.

Savory entrees include a house favorite, the perfectly seasoned Shrimp & Quinoa with sautéed Argentinian red shrimp over red quinoa and beluga lentils, topped with marinated corn poblano pico and Guayanés cheese. The Braised Short Rib is one of a kind with tender Venezuelan style short rib, black-eyed peas two ways, epazote oil and pickled onions. Portions are generous but you might want to order a few sides like the Chica Fries, Sweet Plaintains or the Char Grilled Cauliflower.

Save room for dessert. We loved the Marquesa de Chocolate, a Venezuelan classic, made with rich chocolate mousse, espresso soaked graham crackers, served with crema ice cream. The Churro Fried Ice Cream Pops are another luscious choice. The Caramel ice cream pops are coated in cinnamon churro crumbs, served with vanilla bean anglaise and whipped cream.

Don't miss the chance to dine at Chica. Engage, enjoy, and indulge! No matter what time of day you choose to visit, we are sure you will have a meal that will be a memorable part of your Las Vegas stay.

Chica is located on Restaurant Row near The Venetian Casino Floor. The are open for Breakfast, Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; Brunch, Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Lunch, Monday - Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; and dinner Sunday - Thursday: 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., bar stays open until 12:00 a.m.; Friday - Saturday: 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m., bar stay open until 1:00 a.m.; There is a live DJ on Friday - Saturday: 9:30 p.m. until late and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For more information and to make reservations, visit http://www.chicalasvegas.com/ or call 702.805.8472. Chica is also available for group dining and special events. There are multiple private dining areas as well.

Follow Chica on social media @chicalasvegas. And follow The Venetian @venetianlasvegas

Photo Credit: Linda Evans

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