Chica & The Don is as unforgettable for its colorful surroundings as for its cuisine—a fusion of many distinct types of Latin fare, from Mexican and Puerto Rican to Cuban. You will love dining on comfortable tropical green and yellow velvet couches in the Hollywood Regency Style, surrounded by green tropical foliage. There’s even live Latin music on most nights.
Beverage Director Elvis Rosario tells NYL about the importance of a lively atmosphere: “In Latin American culture, vibrant aesthetics, and color play a crucial role in the energy of a room. At Chica & The Don, the colorful and lively atmosphere is just as important as the food. It creates an immersive and engaging environment that complements our menu and how we serve and take care of guests.”
There are many reasons why Chica & The Don was voted Conde Nast Traveler’s Best New Restaurant in NYC for 2024 but primarily you’ve got a team who has had experience with numerous types of food establishments/hospitality groups. Partner/Co-Owner Nicholas Semkiw remarks, “Our team brings a ton of experience from notable ventures in the industry. Additionally, we’ve provided consultancy services throughout NYC and NJ, helping to shape and elevate various dining concepts.”
The food is incredibly fresh, and many dishes come out of the kitchen in under five minutes! The wait staff ensures you are comfortable and that your food is prepared to your liking, even suggesting dips for your bread or good sides for your entrée. The signature cocktails are exceptionally beautiful, and many are served in glasses that resemble hand-painted terracotta planters.
BRING ON THE RUM
We visited Chica & The Don recently and, yes, we started with one of those signature cocktails called Chica—it’s a refreshing blend of Bacardi Cuatro Golden Aged Rum, coconut cream, strawberry condensed milk, and lemon juice. Adventurous drinkers who like sangria by the pitcher can order the Tito Puente, which features Aviation gin, red wine, vermouth, lime juice, lemon juice, Fanta and seasonal fruits.
The menu is short and straightforward, which is one of the reasons your food comes out at warped speed—but the main reason is that Executive Chef Jose Horrach who is super organized and well-versed in all types of Latin cuisine. He hand-selects produce from local markets and makes sure vegetables and herbs are chopped up long before the dinner rush.
There are ten types of tapas/appetizers, four varieties of empanadas, four sharing plates/entrees, five sides, and a few select desserts—with one large sharing plate special that your server will mention. The tapas items are oversized: a few can quickly satisfy two dinner guests—but if you get full, wrap up your tapas to go and try one of the fantastic four sharing plates! Some of the incredible tapas items we enjoyed are Short Rib Y Maduro Quesadilla (braised short rib quesadillas made with Maduro, a three-cheese blend, sided with Mexican cream and Pico de Gallo); Camerones Al Jillo (sautéed shrimp, saffron butter, white wine, lemon and tostones); Pollo Empanadas (herb marinated chicken and sofrito Rojo) and Alitas De Pollo (chicken wings cooked with mango habanero sauce and sides with sofrito tzatziki).
FROM POLLO TO PESCADO
The sharing plates can satisfy two to four amigos: Pollo Asado, a whole herb brined chicken, with aji verde and annatto saffron oil that is flamed tableside; Pescado a seasonal whole fried fish, fennel and orange escabeche; and Arroz Chaufa a delicious lobster and shrimp fried rice Peruvian style. We shared the ultra-tender Carne Asada, which was marinated with citrus resulting in unique, slightly sweet flavor.
Be sure to get one or more of Chica & The Don’s wonderful sides. We tried the Gallo Pinto (black beans with Nicaraguan style rice), a sweeter version of rice and beans with much less liquid. If you are a plantain lover, order the Maduros (sweet plantains) or Tostones (fried green plantains). The Yuca Papas (crispy Yuca fries with salsa rosado) are super golden and crispy and health oriented. Vegetarians will love the Ensalada De Aguate (avocado, baby gem lettuce, tomato and avocado dressing).
For dessert, we shared the Fried Ice Cream, a crispy, thick golden shell filled with homemade vanilla bean ice cream, and the moist yellow Tres Leches Cake topped with cream. Another popular item is the golden Churro Doughnuts, which have a lovely crunch.
MENU REVAMP FOR WINTER
You might think things couldn’t get better at what is arguably the most popular Latin restaurant of the moment, but Beverage Director Rosario tells us, “Lots of wonderful things are coming for us. We’re launching a brunch menu featuring new items like Mangú Chilaquiles, which combine plantain chips with traditional chilaquiles, and Brussels Sprouts with guajillo chili and honey. We’re also programming a late-night party featuring DJs playing Latin Disco.”
Semkiw chimes in, “One of the “standout moments for us with Chica & The Don has been discovering and catering to a unique marker in NYC’s dining. We’ve received positive feedback from guests who express excitement about the fun and high-quality experience we’ve created and have shared that they’ve been for something like this, which makes what we do incredibly rewarding. Latin American cuisine is incredibly diverse, extending far beyond the flavors of what most people think it is. Chica & The Don introduces New Yorkers to a rich history of regional flavors and ingredients. This approach highlights the diversity of Latin America and offers a fresh and exciting experience that stands out.”
For more information on Chica & The Don, visit chicadon.com