Latin Chica Starts Testing Recipes for a Spring Arrival

Just as Daniel Boulud announces DB Brasserie’s final service at the Venetian, it’s replacement is already testing recipes and sending them out to the Internet world.

Chica from John Kunkel of 50 Eggs plans to debut in spring 2017 as a neighbor to his other concept, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar.

Chef Lorena Garcia is already pulling out new recipes from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina to feature on the menu.

A lentil and quinoa bowl features shrimp, cherry tomato and guayanés cheese. Churrasco gets some pep from Brazilian pico de gallo and grilled Padrón peppers. A Puerto Rican rice pudding uses pearl rice, coconut milk, cloves, ginger, rum soaked raisins, vanilla and spices, while a creamy flan appears to be on the way.

Garcia says that sweet corn cachapa pancakes "are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner and hit the spot every time." Leftover sweet plantains go into the creamy plantain maduro soup. Arepas also may make the menu.

Yooying

Keep in mind, all of these dishes are teases of what may appear on the menu.

Chica plans to be open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Expect a spring 2017 opening.

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