Chica

One of only a handful of Strip restaurants with a woman’s name on its marquee, Chica is a collaboration between celebrity chef Lorena Garcia and the successful 50 Eggs Hospitality Group (Yardbird, Wakuda). And Dayna Roselli, foodie and partner with Insightful Media Co., names this Venetian eatery as a great choice for brunch, which is served seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Chica serves up a unique brunch menu mixed with staple dishes," she says, "but don't expect it to be dull! The dishes burst with flavor and have their own unique twist." As an example, she points to Yucatan chicken and a pan de bono waffle (made with cassava flour in the Colombian style) served with chipotle maple syrup and tropical fruit.

The dinner menu offers a small but varied selection of dishes hailing from multiple Latin American nations, from Mexico to Garcia’s native Venezuela. So expect ceviche, empanadas, arepas and more, as well as a nice selection of wood-fired meats. The tropics also flavor the decor at Chica, with bright colors and tropical woods and plants. And they are very definitely the inspiration for the late-night DJ, dancing and bottle service of Chica Nights, which run every Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

One more bit of advice from Roselli: "Definitely get the roasted street corn as a side."