Brunch on vacation just makes sense. It’s the ultimate way to start a day with a sense of leisure and luxury as you enjoy dishes from the two best meals of the day. (Sorry, not sorry, dinner!) And there’s nothing better than finding a chic restaurant where you can indulge in richly flavored foods with strong cultural ties. Luckily, that’s exactly what Lorena Garcia’s Chica excels at.
Photo by: Courtesy
This is certainly a mid-morning meal that calls for a few courses, so it’s best to sit back and order a cocktail to enjoy while you peruse the menu. For something refreshing and delicious, order the Cucumber Summer, made with Grey Goose vodka, cucumber, St-Germain, lemon and club soda. Or add a little spice to your sip with the Bloody Maria, featuring San Marzano tomatoes, Worcestershire, chipotle, horseradish, ancho chili and fresh citrus.
There are a lot of great first bite options here, but a few stand out among the crowd. Lorena’s arepa basket features an assortment of pillowy, bite-sized flatbreads with ingredients like cheese, cilantro and beets and served with nata butter, which is very much like a crema. To satisfy a large group, consider the Mexican mezze, a platter with guacamole, Yucatecan pumpkin seed hummus, fire-roasted salsa and salsa negra baked goat cheese spread, with tostadas and crudités for dipping.
Picking a main here might be the most difficult decision you make throughout your Vegas trip—everything looks oh, so amazing! From the brunch specialties section, order the breakfast burrito. Seemingly simple with just eggs, bacon, avocado and crispy potatoes, this dish reaches a whole new level with its house-made tortilla. For more of those incredible arepas, have the chorizo and arepa Benedict with poached eggs, jalapeño scallion espuma (foam) and guacamole.
Photo by: Courtesy
Also served on house-made tortillas, the tacos here are to die for. Quesabirria and fried fish tacos may seem like the obvious choice (and they are delightful), but the true stars of the taco menu are the roasted vegetable tacos. Vegetarian friendly, these potato-filled handhelds feature fire-roasted corn pico that’s sweet with bright pops of pomegranate seeds and rich avocado lime crema.
For something savory and satisfying, consider the seafood arroz negro, comprised of grilled shrimp, squid ink sofrito rice, Oaxaca pasilla crema, pickled onion, avocado and lime. Or try the Paisa breakfast bowl, a delicious combination of rice, black beans, chorizo, prime skirt steak, fried plantains, avocado and chimichurri, all topped with a sunny-side up fried egg.
The only appropriate way to end a meal like this is a cup of coffee and a little sweet treat from the bakery. The buñuelo donuts may as well be required eating, as these fluffy lemon ricotta pastries are simply irresistible and pair perfectly with dulce de leche and raspberry sauce. Also, consider the dulce de leche French toast. Made with challah bread that’s almost creamy and topped with fresh berries, dulce de leche and whipped cream, this is a must-try finisher.
The Venetian. 702.805.8472. venetianlasvegas.com
Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. In addition to the latest edition emailed to every week, you’ll find plenty of great, money-saving offers from some of the most exciting attractions, restaurants, properties and more! And Las Vegas Magazine is full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.
