Lorena Garcia’s Chica Now Dishing Latin Fare

Chica

Address: Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Phone: 702-805-8472

Hours: Open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and for brunch and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lorena Garcia’s Chica debuted on Mother’s Day with a Latin American menu at the Venetian. The restaurant, from John Kunkel’s 50 Eggs, marks the restaurateur’s second dining destination at the resort; Yardbird Southern Table & Bar sits next door.

Top Chef Masters chef Garcia brings a menu of Venezuelan, Peruvian, Brazilian, Mexican and Argentinian dishes such as asado negro arepas made from house-made anise and piloncillo arepas stuffed with braised short rib, garnished with pickled onions and cilantro; Meyer lemon rotisserie chicken with Peruvian purple potato salad,hearts of palm and herb chimichurri; tuna ceviche made from tuna nikkei in an apple-infused leche de tigre; kale lime chopped salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette, topped with sour green apples, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and croutons, and marinated churrasco steak served with thick cut fries and an herb chimichurri and creamy huancaina sauce. Arepas, tamales and tortillas are all made in house.

Cocktails include the F.W Margarita, which is a play on the margarita with a slightly sweet and spicy with tequila, fresh lime, Fresno chili, fresh pressed watermelon juice and orange bitters with cilantro. Old World wines with an emphasis on women winemakers round out the drinks.

• All Coverage of Chica [ELV]