{"id":9516,"date":"2012-04-26T09:29:33","date_gmt":"2012-04-26T16:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=9516"},"modified":"2014-08-18T17:46:41","modified_gmt":"2014-08-19T00:46:41","slug":"cha-chas-latin-kitchen-sizzles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/cha-chas-latin-kitchen-sizzles\/","title":{"rendered":"Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Sizzles"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday brunch at Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span> in Brea is nothing short of sizzling hot! Take two margaritas, add the energetic Latin rhythms of \u00a0Sombra Quieta, shake it up, and you just might find your inner Latina\/o!<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

What we found on a gray and rainy Sunday in March was flavorful, familiar Latin food, killer cocktails, and music that makes you want to move! With drinks on the way and warm chips and two salsas to appease our mid-day hunger, I could concentrate on where I had heard Sombra Quieta before. Then I remembered, it was Art, Brews and Bites, two years ago at The Shorebreak Hotel – click on the video at the bottom \u00a0for a taste of their unique sound.<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

A little chilled and very hungry, we ordered cocktails straight away. Ranging in price from $7.95 to $9.50, we started with the Classic Margarita (<\/strong>left), the Mango Habanero<\/strong> (center) , and the Cha Cha’s Margarita<\/strong> (right) with ruby red grapefruit. The margaritas pack a punch but fresh-squeezed \u00a0fruit juices and homemade infusions (no sweet & sour mix used here) \u00a0make them go down real easy!<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

With 5 in our party, we were able to try numerous dishes and this is what I’d suggest for you as well because there is much to choose from and not a single one was disappointing.<\/p>\n

For those who love rich cheesy dips, there’s the Wood-Fired Queso Fundido<\/strong> (above, $8.50) of baked cheeses over roasted potatoes and poblano peppers adding a depth of flavor often missing from more main stream fundidos. The lighter, fresh flavors of Shrimp Ceviche<\/strong> (below, $10.95) were calling my name: shrimp marinated in orange and lime juices with Serrano chile, red onion, and chunks of creamy Haas avocado was a sublime!<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

Chicken Flautas <\/strong>($14.95) of\u00a0\u00a0fresh free-range chicken,\u00a0roasted corn, guajillo chili, and Oaxacan cheese wrapped in crispy flour tortillas and topped\u00a0with a not-too spicy tropical mango-habanero salsa is a winner for kids and adults.<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

By this time, the dining room was full with parties celebrating birthdays and babies; couples and friends having lunch, and folks ducking in out of the rain, drawn by the Latin beats and the thought of warm, comforting Mexican food.<\/p>\n

Our entrees arrived and we worked ourselves into a photo-taking frenzy between mouthfuls of “Wood-Oven” Carnitas<\/strong> ($17.95) slow-braised, marinated pork with achiote onion, – satisfying wrapped in corn tortillas with rice and black beans.
\n\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

Always looking out for healthy choices, the pan roasted, fresh Mahi Mahi<\/strong>\u00a0($19.95) with\u00a0saut\u00e9ed calabasitas (squash), fresh corn, and lime-herb vinaigrette was outstanding and it’s nice to have a lighter alternative to the heavier meat and egg dishes.<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

Of course, we had to try a few of the eggy dishes – the Chorizo Scramble Souffle<\/strong>\u00a0($14.50) was fluffy with a perfect balance of spicy bits of chorizo, buttery Yukon Gold potatoes and green chiles baked in the wood-fired oven.<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

It’s hard to split a poached egg, but we tried because we could not resist ordering Cha Cha’s Hash and Poached Eggs<\/strong> ($15.50)! No wonder that it is one of the most popular items on the menu, its a flavor bomb of roasted chicken, poblano peppers, and potatoes with fresh tomatillo sauce, topped with Mexican cheeses, and baked in the oven to perfection.<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

That pretty much says it all! I’m officially hungry and can’t wait to visit Cha Cha’s again. Oh, except for their\u00a0sublime coconut cake in light lemon buerre blanc sauce dotted with fresh fruit!<\/p>\n

\"Cha<\/a><\/p>\n

WAIT – THERE’S MORE! Cha’s Cha’s has generously offered to give away two $50.00 gift cards to two lucky readers. Leave a comment below telling us what you see that has you craving Cha Cha’s and, for a second entry, Like She’s Cookin’<\/a> and Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen<\/a> on Facebook and leave another comment to let us know that you did \ud83d\ude42 Two winners will be chosen at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 3rd at 10:00 p.m. THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to Dana Sipper (#25) and Leanna Cruz (#20) – you’re the winners!<\/p>\n

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

110 W. Birch St.<\/p>\n

Brea, CA \u00a092821<\/p>\n

(714) 255-1040<\/p>\n

Sunday Brunch 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Brighten your day with the sounds of Sombra Quieta:<\/p>\n