Celebrity chef Lorena Garcia has carved out a nice little niche for herself on the Las Vegas Strip. The Top Chef Masters veteran features the cuisine of her native Venezuela to great effect at Chica, mostly because she incorporates so many clever touches based on the international restaurants she worked at over the course of her amazing career.
Chica is by far one of the most comfortable restaurants you’ll visit during your stay—its warm colors and comfortable seating immediately make you feel like you’re in someone’s home, and that you’re the only guest that matters. You’ll be even more relaxed when you dive into one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails. As you’d expect, tequila makes itself known on this menu, especially in the Chica-Rita, a delicious blend of Espolon, fresh lime, grilled pineapple, fresh sage and Elemakule Tiki bitters. But gin fans will love the Beau Knows, featuring Junipero gin, Luxardo Blanco, strawberry and ginger beer.
A meal at Chica wouldn’t be complete without something to share, and if you haven’t tried her arepas, you are truly missing out! But the wild mushroom tostada is a close second, flavored with whipped queso fresco, salsa verde, shaved radish and epazote. The “Chica Classics” portion of the menu is where Garcia’s creativity truly shines in dishes like slow-roasted suckling pig porchetta, served with spiced plantains and pickled onions, and Latin quinoa and lentils, featuring your choice of grilled shrimp or roasted cauliflower (this is soooo good!), beluga lentils, queso fresco, fire-roasted corn and poblano pico.
If you’re a fan of Instagram posting, the churro tower is a must-order dessert. It comes as you’d expect, churros piled high and served with a drizzle of chocolate ganache. For a flavor explosion, order the Marquesa de Chocolate, chocolate mousse, espresso-soaked graham crackers and raspberry orange sorbet.
The Venetian, 866.659.9643
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