Belinda C.
Yelp
On Sunday, September 25, 2022, I attended the 2nd seating, 2 PM - 4 PM, for the last buffet of the year. Advance reservations were required.
Buffet cost was $34.95 per adult and $14.95 per child.
The restaurant needed time to transition from the 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM 1st seating, so we waited outside in line with the restaurant's front doors closed until maybe 2:15 PM or 2:20 PM, assuming I remembered correctly. We were checked in one party at a time.
So many people, primarily Latin Americans, attended! I think I and perhaps one table of Filipinos were the only non-Latin buffet guests. That's how you can tell the food is authentic and special. There was one other table of two non-Latin customers, but they weren't there for the buffet. All the buffet dishes were labeled in Spanish. That was a lot of work for me to translate, compare against the regular menu, and ask the waitress about!
The buffet offered more dishes than I could try! If you really want to try everything, you can only have one small tasting of each. There is no stomach space for second helpings of your favorite dishes. I took so long to finish my second plate that most of the dessert bites were gone by the time I waddled up there. Restaurant was super wise to portion the desserts into small squares and serve them in condiment cups, which enabled customers to sample more desserts. I was so full that I couldn't even finish my 2nd plate or my 3rd dessert bite.
LEGEND
X Customer Favorite (dishes that ran out or low)
O My Favorite
APPETIZERS
* Assorted Rolls and Pastries in a Basket X
* Fresh Salad (Ensenada Fresca)
* Huancayo style potatoes (Papa a la Huancaina)
* Ocopa sauce potatoes with hard-boiled eggs and olives (Ocopa)
* Russian Beet Salad (Ensenada Russa)
* Seafood Ceviche (Ceviche con Mariscos) X
* Fish Ceviche (Ceviche de Pescado) O
* Chicken Chowder (Chupe de Pollo) O
SIDES
* Garbanzo Beans and Pork Fried Rice (Arroz con Garbanzos y Cerdo) O
* Beans (Frijoles)
ENTREES
* Chicken with Aji Amarillo sauce (Aji de Gallina) O
* Beef Stew (Seco de Res) O
* Pineapple Pork (Chancho con Piña)
* Fish with Seafood Sauce (Pescado con Salsa de Mariscos) X
* Stir-fried Beef Tenderloin with French Fries (Lomo Saltado) X
* Mushroom Pesto (Pesto con Hongos)
* Chicken with Peanuts (Pollo con Mani) O
DESSERTS
* Rice pudding (Arroz con Leche)
* Churros
* Chocolate cake
* Watermelon
* Flan?
* Cheesecake?
* Tiramisu?
* Too many others that I couldn't examine, try, or identify!!!
My tendency was to prefer the saucy meat entrees eaten over rice. The other customers loved the seafood and steak dishes.
Other than water, beverages weren't included with the buffet, so I ordered a Chicha Morada, a sweet Peruvian punch made of purple corn, passion fruit, lime juice, and house bubbles. It is a pretty fuschia color.
Because I was a solo diner, I started my meal at an outside table for 2. After other customers finished dining and left, I was moved inside to be closer to the buffet tables and for AC.
The buffet food warmers were beautiful, festive, and cultural.
Buffet was overkill for me, so I'm better off with a lunch or dinner plate, but it was a great way to preview the culinary skills and menu of Chicha.
Here are some other noteworthy offerings:
* Peruvian breakfast is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM to 12 PM.
* 20% discount on all Ceviches every Tuesday (5 different ceviches!)
* 20% discount on all Wine Bottles every Wednesday
* Lunch Specials run Monday to Friday, 11 AM to 3 PM. $13.95 for entree or $18.95 with an appetizer.
* Happy Hour runs Monday to Friday, 4 PM to 6 PM, 7 plates ranging $6-$10.
* $24.95 Seafood Duos are available Monday to Friday, 11 AM to 5 PM.
A Seafood Duo is Tiger's Milk seafood cocktail (Leche de Tigre) with your choice of Seafood Fried Rice (Arroz con Mariscos) or Fried Seafood (Jalea).
For 2022, Chicha is doing a $360 Thanksgiving special that feeds 8-10 people. Orders will be taken until Monday, November 21.
* Whole turkey with gravy (15 to 17 pounds)
* Fresh salad with red fruit dressing
* Mashed potatoes with garlic
* Roasted vegetables
* Green beans with bacon and almonds
* Hot sauce
Someday I would be interested in trying the Chaufa Aeropuerto Taypá, which is fried rice with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables wrapped inside a thin omelette. The Chupe de Camarones or Shrimp Chowder also catches my eye from the restaurant's Facebook page.
Thank you for your authentic fun menu offerings, Chicha!